Safe Driver?

Jotun said:
Generally, overtaking is done by moving out across in to the lane of oncoming traffic, unless you are on a motorway/dual carriage way... well as far as I'm aware. :confused:
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Sorry, maybe I didn't explain it too well... at some traffic lights next to Kew Gardens, approaching Kew Bridge, 1 lane turns into 2 about 25m before the lights. Obviously if cars are backed up, the majority of the 2nd lane is empty, so drivers tend to drive along the length of the traffic, in the wrong lane to get into the 25m of the 2nd lane.
 
If I was comparing my driving to my Dad's... I would immediately say that he is a far better and safer driver than I am... he does take more risks, drives faster than me and breaks the law often... but I would still say he is safer and better than me. Even though my Mum does the same things, it is her lack of observation and ability to look in more than once place at a time which worries me.
 
Right now? probably A, but later B.
I just recently passed my test, i like to think im observant of what goes on around me and can try pre-empt peoples stupidity, but its easy to become complacent and be taken by surprise since you and i are still probably too concentrated on what is going on in the car and maybe switch onto auto pilot now and then.

I remember more so when learning, if i was squeezing through a gap or something went totally wrong, all i was interested in was looking ahead, tunnel vision, but with slightly more experience i might have avoided getting into the situation or been able to keep going while looking around.
 
Danger Phoenix said:
Sorry, maybe I didn't explain it too well... at some traffic lights next to Kew Gardens, approaching Kew Bridge, 1 lane turns into 2 about 25m before the lights. Obviously if cars are backed up, the majority of the 2nd lane is empty, so drivers tend to drive along the length of the traffic, in the wrong lane to get into the 25m of the 2nd lane.
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And what's wrong with that? There is a similar junction not so far from me, you'd be a fool to just sit there in a long line of traffic, probably having to wait for 2 cycles of the lights to get through.
 
I like to think I'm safe, as I try to think ahead and always know what's going on around me, but then it's like a line of work - there's no substitute for experience :) 2.5 years so far for me but I still have a few weak points in my driving.
 
Danger Phoenix said:
Sorry, maybe I didn't explain it too well... at some traffic lights next to Kew Gardens, approaching Kew Bridge, 1 lane turns into 2 about 25m before the lights. Obviously if cars are backed up, the majority of the 2nd lane is empty, so drivers tend to drive along the length of the traffic, in the wrong lane to get into the 25m of the 2nd lane.
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I'd say that's fine if you can be sure you'll be back on the correct side of the road before any other cars will come along the opposite way.
 
Jotun said:
I'd say that's fine if you can be sure you'll be back on the correct side of the road before any other cars will come along the opposite way.
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From what he said there would be no chance of being able to pull back in. The road will certainly be wide enough for 3 'lanes' if this is common practice at the junction.
 
Clarkey said:
And what's wrong with that? There is a similar junction not so far from me, you'd be a fool to just sit there in a long line of traffic, probably having to wait for 2 cycles of the lights to get through.
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Jotun said:
I'd say that's fine if you can be sure you'll be back on the correct side of the road before any other cars will come along the opposite way.
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Well based on an episode of Police Camera Action where the police were stopping drivers for doing that... there must be something obviously wrong with it.

My Mum told me to do that today and I just simply refused! What would happen if a car had started to come down the road? Where would I go from there? I would need to reverse back down the road or hope that the other car stops and let me by...
 
Experience only really matters if that person is good at something and builds on that, not when they can't drive for toffee but in their mind think they're great driving and thus build on that, so becoming even worse over time.. a lot like my mother in law:p Complacent and lazy come to mind.

As for who i'd choose, neither..
 
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Person A, experience on the roads is everything.

and im saying this as a 17 year old through gritted teeth, i wish it was the other way about.
 
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This image isn't very clear, so I have drawn the lane markings and shown where one lane turns to two just before the lights. When traffic is backed up, cars start going into the oncoming traffic lane to get at the lights... now the way the lights work at that junction (today was the first time I have driven there myself, but I know exactly how the lights work etc. because I pay attention when my parents are driving) there can always be traffic coming into that road either from straight ahead or the road on the right.

Today for example, an idiot in a silver Mercedes tried to do what I am describing and blocked the oncoming traffic lane until our lights turned green. That could have been me if I had listened to my Mum...
 
Danger Phoenix said:
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Obviously if you are crossing into the path of oncoming traffic, you want to be sure you can make it back to the correct side of the road before anything comes the other way. Clearly if the merc was blocking traffic coming the other way then it wasn't the case.

Excuse the poor quality Google maps image:
2lanes.jpg


I've done it a fair few times there, when there's a queue on the left I've moved over to the right in to the oncoming lane to get past as I was turning right at the junction. It's only normally a few car lengths though as once the broken line starts, people are generally in the correct position on the road, whereas a bit before that they are further out. I didn't think it's something that you'd get stopped for really, providing it's a safe maneuver as you shouldn't be on the other side of the road for too long, and can reasonably expect the other side of the road to remain clear for that time.
 
I do that all the time at a roundabout here, the road is easily wide enough for at least 3 cars, would probably get 4 wide in it no problem.

the only bit that people arent happy at is people like me flying down the right side and spinning round the full roundabout, and leaving on the straight on exit, overtaking everybody that was waiting on the left side.
 
Slightly OT, But i know that junction, I've driven it countless times myself.

If the cars in the queue for the traffic lights are correctly positioned, then it's possible for 3 cars to fit along-side. However, there are bus stops on both sides of the road, which could hinder things.

Thought I'd shed some light on the situation.

In answer to the OP, driver A. Experience counts for everything, if a situation crops up they are FAR more qualified to deal with it.

On that road in particular, I have driven down the 'wrong' side of the road several times, 3 cars fitted alongside. However, I may have been lucky, the same could not be said for every single situation there.
 
give it another month and you wont be doing anything you was doing in your driving lessons!

i got loads of bad habits which will be frowned up on, on here lol

never indicate when nothin is really about
only time i check my mirrors in when im parking up or leaving
if i see a gap whats just like 1mm bigger then my car, ill be through it
but i dont usually go over speed limit unless its them roads what should be a 40 and everyone does 40 on it anyway

And you BMW drivers dont you dare frown ! your worse drivers going, your all the same :p
 
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