Driving standards

[rockershovel]

Put very simply Tony is married to an Indian lady who drives into London each day. Because Tony is often unwell he does not work and although he has a pension her work brings in most of their joint income. I think that is as much of an answer as you need.

Well, I'd rather worked that out.. but I don't see the relevance of an Indisn who learnt to drive in England. I can easily believe his father-in-law suffered asthma from Indian air pollution, which can be absolutely intolerable but again, I don't see the relevance.

[beast66606]

Well, I'd rather worked that out.. but I don't see the relevance of an Indisn who learnt to drive in England. I can easily believe his father-in-law suffered asthma from Indian air pollution, which can be absolutely intolerable but again, I don't see the relevance.

 

Move on - it's not part of this topic and we don't want squabbles breaking out please.

[Tony_S]

Well, I'd rather worked that out.. but I don't see the relevance of an Indisn who learnt to drive in England. I can easily believe his father-in-law suffered asthma from Indian air pollution, which can be absolutely intolerable but again, I don't see the relevance.

OK I will explain.

You made a comment about Indian and Chinese drivers.

You then made a comment about being able to see such driving here.

I made a fairly trivial comment that the only Indians I know are good drivers.

You asked me if I had been to Lahore or Kolkata. I probably should have said no, but I just added something about Lahore as Mother in Law had to flee from there at Partition. I did mention in passing that late father in Law on his trips back to India was more concerned about the air pollution caused by traffic than the driving though to be honest his chauffeur probably hated the traffic.

Sorry to have bothered you. Suggest you use the "block" function then you won't need to read any of my ramblings. I promise never to quote from your posts again.

EDIT

Beast,sorry my post crossed with yours. You are correct, and I will stick to the original topic from now on

Edited September 24, 2015 by Tony_S

[Guest]

Had some typical White (Tipper) Van action today.

We (me and my Mum (just for clarification)), were coming up to a roundabout on the way home from the 'school run'. Now this isn't some poxy Mini-roundabout nor their slightly bigger brothers, but nor is it necessarily oversized either. However, due to it's nature, it's elongated to fit the roads it serves, which are 3 main routes and a smaller, if very busy road.

The road we were entering from, has two lanes to divide into for entry onto the roundabout, which is a common practice. You get in the correct lane for where you want to go, and await your turn. The left lane is for the 1st and 2nd exits, while the right lane is for the 3rd exit since this is for a reasonably short dual carridgeway. We were aiming for the right lane as the vast majority of people do at this roundabout, so in the single queue of traffic leading up to the lane split, we had positioned our car nearer the right side. When we were about 3-4 cars back from the front in the right hand lane, with 1 car in the left lane, a white van cruised up along our left side and stopped short of the cars infront in his lane. I glanced over, at which point he gave it a burst of juice up to the back of the queue.

 

By this point, we had both clocked on to the same thing. The white van had got in the wrong lane, in the hope of queue jumping the cars in right lane and pushing in. Unfortunately for him there was no where for him to slot in, so had given up. Though sure enough, when on the roundabout, he budged into the lanes for the 3rd exit.

We caught him up at a set of traffic lights on the aforementioned dual carridgeway, when he leaned effortlessly forward (bear with me) and picked up a bag of sweets. (He was in the left lane, we were in the right and 1 car back in relation to him). Strictly speaking, this isn't a dual carridgeway, since it's more two long lanes leading up to another roundabout, so people rarely change lanes so long as they get in the correct one to begin with. Anyhow, after seeing his effortless move, my Mum questionned "Is he wearing his seat belt?" Neither of us could categorically say from where we were positioned, but at the next set of lights as we caught him up and eased past, there was his seat belt hanging slackly to his side.

Regards,

Matt

[JDW]

So, those of you who've been following the thread will by now know I'm a bus driver.  Every day this week, I've arrived at the park and ride site at the same time, and picked up the same older woman.  She's arrived just before me, and every day I've seen her reverse parking as I arrive.  Every day she's shunted backwards and forwards a few times, successfully parking her large silver Audi with TAXI sign on the roof across two spaces.  I'm on the same job again tomorrow.  I resisted the temptation again today to ask if she did actually realise she's supposed to park between the lines, will I manage to get through tomorrow without attracting the inevitable "your driver has a bad attitude" complaint from her...?  I'm not sure

[Horsetan]

So, those of you who've been following the thread will by now know I'm a bus driver.  Every day this week, I've arrived at the park and ride site at the same time, and picked up the same older woman.  She's arrived just before me, and every day I've seen her reverse parking as I arrive.  Every day she's shunted backwards and forwards a few times, successfully parking her large silver Audi with TAXI sign on the roof across two spaces..... I resisted the temptation again today to ask if she did actually realise she's supposed to park between the lines....

[Pacific231G]

.  I resisted the temptation again today to ask if she did actually realise she's supposed to park between the lines, will I manage to get through tomorrow without attracting the inevitable "your driver has a bad attitude" complaint from her...?  I'm not sure

It's very simple, If you're driving between the lines you expect your vehicle to stay on the tarmac; if you drive with the (dotted) line between your wheels you should accelarate as quickly as possible and then pull the wheel back (but not too far back) in order to get far enough above the tarmac before the very short road ends and you hit the tall tree carefully positioned just beyond it.   When you eventually park you must remember to leave a much bigger gap than you normally do for your car. but if the vehicles either side of you are cars then you've probably misread the map.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Pacific231G

[Judge Dread]

I've already got a bad back this week so I think cavorting in the back of a Ford Anglia would bring far worse penalties than those I might expect from the local JP for ungentlemanly conduct.

This local JP (now retired) only managed such activities in the back of a Morris Minor.

It was with my wife and as long as some-one doesn't "grass me" she will still be my wife.

Edited September 26, 2015 by Judge Dread

[Danemouth]

I went to Tintern Abbey today. Returning down the M4 to Cardiff I managed to hit the heavy traffic that plagues it in the late afternoon between the Severn Bridge and Brynglas Tunnels.

 

So there I was in the outside  line doing 15 -20 mph when I spotted a German registered VW minbus. What attracted my attention was the side sliding door open with a chap looking out with no seatbelt - one heavy jolt and he would have been all over the road. For that I think he qualifies as a cockwomble.

 

He did shut the door when speed picked up a bit.

 

 

Dave

[coachmann]

I was traveling towards traffic lights on green today, but traffic pulled away from the car in front of me. Lights went to orange and the bloke in front indicated he was going to park!.......At the lights!! I assumed this was a mistake but when the lights went back to green this fellers car didn't move. After giving him the benefit of the doubt I pulled out to pass, but then he started to crawl forward. I pulled in behind him but he stopped to look left & right before entering the major road. The look on the woman's face behind me said it all and there was a queue behind her. Following him through town very slowly, he eventually turned into our carpark and at last this old man was out of harm's way. I got the impression driving was a trial to him. 

[leopardml2341]

Foggy mornings and drivers using no lights, it don't make any sense to me. Still, I suppose it makes up for clear nights and fog lights?

[PhilJ W]

I was traveling towards traffic lights on green today, but traffic pulled away from the car in front of me. Lights went to orange and the bloke in front indicated he was going to park!.......At the lights!! I assumed this was a mistake but when the lights went back to green this fellers car didn't move. After giving him the benefit of the doubt I pulled out to pass, but then he started to crawl forward. I pulled in behind him but he stopped to look left & right before entering the major road. The look on the woman's face behind me said it all and there was a queue behind her. Following him through town very slowly, he eventually turned into our carpark and at last this old man was out of harm's way. I got the impression driving was a trial to him. 

A few years ago the police in Romford stopped an elderly driver doing much the same sort of thing. It turned out that he was registered as blind but had not notified the licence authorities or his insurance company.

[45156]

A few years ago the police in Romford stopped an elderly driver doing much the same sort of thing. It turned out that he was registered as blind but had not notified the licence authorities or his insurance company.

It never ceases to amaze me that the eyesight requirement for driving which is, in any even, quite generous (6/12 on the Snellen Scale, I think) is not more strictly enforced by the authorities.  It seems to me that it is as much up to individuals to notify DVLA of any eyesight defect as for this to be monitored by other agencies.  In order to continue driving, I need to recertify my health every three years, as I am insulin dependent diabetic, and also a GP or specialist report is also called for to make sure that I have not had a disabling hypo.  I am not sure whether if an optometrist finds that somebody is below the limit and is driving, there is a similar onus on that practitioner to make a similar report.

[coachmann]

Statistically we are pretty safe on our roads considering it is up to individuals to keep us all apart even when passing at combined speeds of 120mph on B roads. And also considering the amount of traffic, mix of professional, private and idiot drivers in vehicles ranging from 40 tons to motorised shopping trolleys. Nor must we forget the totally unregulated cyclist......How could we!  Additionally, road users are not protected from pedestrians by fences.

 

That said, things do seem to be too lax when it comes down to driver health issues. I informed the DVLA over a pacemaker and heart by-pass - all voluntarily. Do folk inform on themselves if they have eyesight issues, habitually take banned substances or are losing the plot? Mobile phone users while driving are still part of daily life, just as seat-belt avoiders were for many years after the act was passed. Everyone knows their rights but are careless of their responsibilities, and so laws are quite useless without people in uniform to ensure they are observed. The latter have become noticeably fewer in the past decade.

Edited October 3, 2015 by coachmann

[Baby Deltic]

I now wear glasses when driving, although I can still read number plates at 20 metres unaided (just). I have to admit though that it takes your eyes a while to had just when you remove them.

[ParkeNd]

------------------------------------- Nor must we forget the totally unregulated cyclist......How could we!  -------------------------------------------

Just for clarity, what is a " totally unregulated cyclist" ?

 

I assume it's not a term of praise. As a keep fit cyclist myself and a motorist of 48 years, I am ashamed of the very few cyclists I see riding on pavements at high speed or deliberately riding past red traffic lights, but they are few and far between compared with other motorists using phones to text at the wheel or doing 60 mph+ in villages on B roads in 30 mph speed limits - or worse still the "regulated motorists" who overtake me on my bike without pulling out and driving between me and a lorry or tractor coming the other way in a country lane.

Edited October 3, 2015 by ParkeNd

[PhilJ W]

Another elderly gent who I once knew ended up with Alzheimers, I found this out when I greeted him and he failed to recognize me. A few weeks later I saw him driving his car so I contacted a mutual friend, in fact the person who had informed me of his Alzheimers who was understandably shocked at my revelation. My friend fortunately took steps to have him placed in a home as his only relative was a sister who although comps-mentis was herself in an elderly persons home.

[mezzoman253]

Had a trip round the M25 to Heathrow on Thursday morning at 5AM. Couldn't believe the amount of lorries about at that time. 

 

The motorway is nearly all 4 lanes now, but with 3 taken up by lorries overtaking each other, everyone ends up in the outside lane.

 

Apparently there is no restriction on them in lane 3, seems the law hasn't been amended to cater for 4 lanes.

 

Rob

[coachmann]

Just for clarity, what is a " totally unregulated cyclist" ?

 

I assume it's not a term of praise. As a keep fit cyclist myself and a motorist of 48 years, I am ashamed of the very few cyclists I see riding on pavements at high speed or deliberately riding past red traffic lights, but they are few and far between compared with other motorists using phones to text at the wheel or doing 60 mph+ in villages on B roads in 30 mph speed limits - or worse still the "regulated motorists" who overtake me on my bike without pulling out and driving between me and a lorry or tractor coming the other way in a country lane.

"Unregulated" is what it says. Motorists are regulated : Age constraints, pass a stringent driving and highway code test, Road fund licence, Insurance, MOT plus a list of things we must do and not do. Since when were cyclists subject to the above?

Edited October 3, 2015 by coachmann

[Guest]

"Unregulated" is what it says. Motorists are regulated : Age constraints, pass a stringent driving and highway code test, Road fund licence, Insurance, MOT plus a list of things we must do and not do. Since when were cyclists subject to the above?

Great! I am going out on my bike to rob a bank now that I know I am completely unregulated.

Thank you so very much for bringing this to my attention.

[Baby Deltic]

I think that was a fair observation by Coach. The only thing regulating cyclist's conduct on the road, is to a lesser extent than the motorist, the Road Traffic Act. The other, should they choose to follow it, is the Highway Code. I'm not going to get into a motorist/cyclist argument because there are plenty of good and bad examples in both camps, but motorists have to have insurance against any harm or damage they may cause, pay for the privilege of using the roads, and prove that their vehicles are roadworthy on at least one day of the year. Plus of course being old enough to drive a motor vehicle and being tested rigorously to prove that One is competent to drive a motor vehicle without supervision.

[MJI]

Two trips, two days.

 

Thursday, a VW car pulled out in front of me, went slow, I nearly rear ended it. Turned off, they DID see me coming.

 

Then a Freelander 2 pulled out close, I went alongside to brake and nearly hit the Merc also trying to pull out in front of me.

 

After those twerps turned off, clear to another village AND yes pulled out, and worse than that SLOW.

 

Was very het up when I got home, 2 near accidents.

 

Friday, nice and clear, same roads, same time, then 3/4 of the way home a VW van pulled out (slightly blind corner) I had slowed for him, he flashed his indicators thankyou and booted it, I waved thankyou.

 

Arrived home in a good mood, all was well woth the world.

 

As to visibility, my car is a Discovery 2, yes a tall imposing off roader, VERY visible. As to performance it is NOT slow (5 cylinder tractor juice lump) and it handles well for a live axled offroader (got active roll bars), so I am not holding them up.

 

Those 3 Thursday morons have done this on numerous occasions, so I will be getting a dash cam and youtubing it

[Titan]

. As to performance it is NOT slow (5 cylinder tractor juice lump) 

 

At well over two tonnes and only 135 bhp, there is going to be very little on the on the road that is slower. The official top speed does not even make three figures. Even the three cylinder poverty spec 1.0 Toyota Aygo out performs it.

[Guest]

So it's well over two tonnes and could potentially be coming at you at 98mph?

I think the point about looking before you pull in front of it is still valid.

[leopardml2341]

Well, on my journey back from Wigan I had the good fortune to be seriously 'cut across' on a roundabout on the A50, dual carriageway in dual carriageway out, by a small red Volkswagen UP!

 

When the driver started slowly drifted across into the nearside lane (whilst still indicating right) I warned of my presence by use of the horn. Said driver continued across my path (still indicating right and took the left exit. As soon as this move had been completed brakes were applied to slow me down I guess, not that 20 mph was too fast anyway. When safe to pass, I duly did only to get 'the finger' from a guy well into his seventies mouthing F*ck Off and with a similarly elderly lady in the passenger seat.

 

What has the world come to?