Overtaking

Tommy B · 17 Oct 2006 at 19:50

Technically this is a rant, but there is a relevant question at the end

Having been on the roads for just under a year now, I've almost been involved in roughly six accidents. All of them either involved a Porsche, an Aston Martin, or some absolute spastic driving a 1.2 VW Polo.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=51.244644~0.206702&style=h&lvl=16

This hill is seriously steep, and bendy, but there is an overtaking zone at the start of the first bend. What usually happens is there'll be a stream of solid cars going up at a fair speed, say 40-50mph, then you'll get some guy in a supercar who thinks he can pwn everyone. Having gone up to about 110mph, they then realise that a) there is no where to pull back in and b) if you look above you'll see the next turning, which causes a large queue of traffic. This leaves poor old unexperienced learner driver - me - practically having to do an emergency stop to let the idiot back in, risking my own life as the car behind is usually also up my arse.

I just don't get why people drive like idiots in extremely dangerous places. This has happened to me several times now, and I swear I have been inches away from a serious accident.

If an accident were to occur, technically whoose fault would it be in the eyes of the insurance companies?

Lowe · 17 Oct 2006 at 19:59

Well, for the person rear ending you, it will be their fault because they shouldn't of been so close. With regards to the nutter cutting you up, you think they'll stop?

I doubt you'll have time to get their plate, in which case it's tough I'm afriad.

BigglesPiP · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:05

Don't make a huge effort to let them in, They have the big brakes, leave them standing in the middle of the road.

If someones driving causes you to change your driving in a response to their actions, that constitutes dangerous driving. A serious offense.

A space to get back into is the 1st thing to check when overtaking.

I'm coming up to 2 years driving accident and penalty free (I'm touching wood now) and I've learned that basic overtaking skill.

Tommy B · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:09

I'm only driving a 1.4 Golf so I only ever overtake one car or two vans at a time, ensuring there is ample room in front to get back in.

BigglesPiP · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:14

Tommy B said:
I'm only driving a 1.4 Golf so I only ever overtake one car or two vans at a time, ensuring there is ample room in front to get back in.

Just imadgine what it's like for me in my 1.0l Uno.

See the Gap, drop a gear or 2, nail it and pray. Hold on to 7k for each gearchange.

daven1986 · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:18

see a place where a speed camera would actually be useful, and there isn't one. however in all the places you dont need one, there they are.

it would be the oncoming drivers fault for 1) breaking the speed limit quite considerably
2) dangerous driving

and would be the person behinds fault for driving too close.

i dont think it would be classed as your fault unless you too were overtaking.

daven

Nazbit · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:20

In that situation I just lift off and let them in, probably flash and express my displeasure and then carry on with the rest of my day safe in the knowlage that he was a ***.

No point getting excited about it.

Hawk Tuah · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:29

You see, the thing that gets me is a line of sheep following a slow driver. When they refuse to overtake, then it forces you to overtake a number of cars if you want to be doing more than 40 on a NSL road.

Then when you do start overtaking the chain, although they havent got the balls to actually pull an overtake themselves, they decided to close the gap to the car in front so that nobody behind can pull an overtake either.

Nazbit · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:38

Bug One said:
You see, the thing that gets me is a line of sheep following a slow driver. When they refuse to overtake, then it forces you to overtake a number of cars if you want to be doing more than 40 on a NSL road.

Yer thats another hatred, infact hate isnt a strong enough word.

The fact is, an awful lot of drivers out there dont reconise the national speed limit sign as a speed limit because its not a number in a red ring and coast along at 40.

Its people like this who actually make me warm to the idea of having to retake a driving test every now and again. Get the idiots off the roads please.

Draeger · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:51

Impatience has a lot to do with it.

Middle of last week, we attended a fatal road accident ( one of many in my area last week ).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6044142.stm

Young female driver in a Renault Clio attempted to overtake a line of traffic during rush hour in the morning. Straight piece of road, and it looks like it was a silly overtaking manouver to make. The traffic coming the other way was heavy and an elderly female that was oncoming actually had to slow to a complete stop and attempt to pull off the road onto the verge to avoid the youngster in the Clio. Witnesses at the time have said they could not believe that the Clio driver even considered the overtake at the point in time that it occured.

The result was a head on collision between the Clio and the VW Polo the pensioner was driving.

The elderly lady was killed instantly, the Clio driver survived.

Just tragic and I see it all too often.

Tommy B · 17 Oct 2006 at 20:58

So the OAP actually stopped and the stupid cow (young one) actually drove straight into her. I'm tempted to be sexist about the young driver here as that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Draeger · 17 Oct 2006 at 21:05

Tommy B said:
So the OAP actually stopped and the stupid cow (young one) actually drove straight into her. I'm tempted to be sexist about the young driver here as that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Thats correct.

I cant go into too much detail as the investigation is still in progress, but yes, the elderly driver had actually stopped her vehicle. The other driver ploughed right into her car. It was an old model VW Polo and had it been a newer one with an airbag fitted, the elderly driver may have survived.

As I said, various witnesses said they just could not believe the youngster actually attempted an overtake at that particular time.

Tommy B · 17 Oct 2006 at 21:06

I don't even see how that's possible. If I went to overtake and realised I was screwed, I'd take the fact that the opposite driver had stopped as a godsend. I wouldn't continue driving at full speed right into them. If that's what actually happened, I hope the young driver gets what she deserves. She'd have to have been blind for this story to make sense to me

Draeger · 17 Oct 2006 at 21:12

Tommy B said:
I don't even see how that's possible. If I went to overtake and realised I was screwed, I'd take the fact that the opposite driver had stopped as a godsend. I wouldn't continue driving at full speed right into them. If that's what actually happened, I hope the young driver gets what she deserves. She'd have to have been blind for this story to make sense to me

So true, but in this case it happened. I have no idea what was going through the youngsters mind at that time as she was overtaking. It was a very narrow road, even though the Polo driver had stopped and was half on the verge/kerbside, it left little room to pass for a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

I really cant say too much more on the details of the incident, I've said too much as it is, so I'm going to shut up now. :cool:

BigglesPiP · 17 Oct 2006 at 21:18

My pet hate is tourists on the local roads here.

I don't mind them driving slowly, the roads are twisty and the scenery is nice.

What I dispise is the way they speed up on all of the very few safe passing spots.

Makes people pass in dangerous places. I've seen a good few close accidents.