No, no: it's ok! I'll brake so that *you* don't have to!!

Ok, so, I'm travelling a lot more than usual these days.

I quite like to think I'm reasonably proficient as far as driving skill goes. (Better at it than Mr "M", anyway )

So, as my increased driving is now motorway based, I'm really beginning to get a 'flavour' of other drivers and their nasty little habits (and I don't mean those who pick their noses, indulgently, when stuck in traffic - those I would simply pass a tissue ).

No, I'm talking about those lazy lice who are in the middle lane (eternally!), approaching a lorry at a steady pace and decide:
"Ooh, I don't like it here anymore it's rear end is getting closer and closer
What to do? I know I'll over take it "

Yeah buddy, over take it when you have the right space to do so!!!!

No, no: it's ok! I'll brake so that *you* don't have to!!


Moan over

 

It happens so often :( and half the time they don't bother to indicate either, they just go...

 

I know, Ellen: pure madness!!!

 

Can't find it now, but what about that stupid person who pulled onto the M25 not getting up to speed in front of an articulated lorry and fortunately all ended safely ...

 

Wasn't me!!!

 

Victoria, was it this one
http://uk.yahoo.com/_ylt=A7x9Vpw29b...tbD92cD0x/RS=^ADAq_TVeys.BWVSSYZA8nPWtgfwJOM-

 

My biggest motorway gripe is when the traffic joining, on a slip road always assume you are going to slacken speed to allow them on.
It seems to be almost common place now days.

 

Just seen that link jiffy, that's the kind of thing I'm on about, but usually they dont try in on with a lorry.

 

There was another one just like it on the M6 with a tanker

 

Just a reminder that if you are in your car and by the nearside corner of a lorry the driver may not see you, depenning on how his mirrors are set, but a good lorry driver would have seen you coming up the slip road, but if you are on the slip road you have to give way, if you make a lorry to breck hard he can damage his load which will cost lots of £'s and we don't like paying for damage goods as custmers do we, some loads we carry can cost £1,000,000 + and the insurant companys don't like paying out

 

That was the one I saw this morning Jiffy ... what an idiot (being polite) ...

When I was in the UK there were times I had to travel to different counties and I always avoided motorways ... t'other half thought it funny as he used them all the time! I would go from Bucks to the South, East and up as far as Derby ... and I ONLY went on motorways if I had to but preferred A roads and would actually do my journeys in about the same time as it took to go on motorways but I had a peaceful journey in the beautiful English countryside.

 

I wonder, how many drivers that take chances with the minimum amount of space, have ever experienced sudden and total engine failure at speed.

I have.

On the M1 one time, at night, I was in lane 3 overtaking everyone (not particular speeding, just everyone else seemed to be dawdling). When suddenly, with no warning at all, the engine just cut out. So there I was in lane 3 at night with no power. Not good. First I put my hazards on, but then realised that meant I had no useful indicators, so back off again and left hand indicator and pray to every god I've ever heard of that someone will realise I'm not simply trying to squeeze in, but am actually bailing out of a very dangerous predicament. I put the clutch down so that I was engine braking as I needed every bit of momentum I had in order to get across. Of course that also meant none of the pumps or servos were working, meaning that I was rapidly losing power assistance on the steering and brakes. When I eventually made it to the hard shoulder, there was no servo assistance left at all on the brakes or steering, so while wrestling the steering (when the power assistance fails its not like driving a car without PAS, the gearing is different, so it is like fighting with something many times bigger and stronger than you), I lifted my bum out of the seat and had to hop on the brake pedal to get any braking for the last little bit. I bounced the car onto the grass verge, churning up the grass and mud before coming to a very bumpy halt.

Now, in any manoeuvre I do, I always have multiple backup plans. Before I overtake, I ask myself 3 things:
1. Have I got twice as much time and distance as I ought to need?
2. Will I have the opportunity to abort and drop back into the slot I came from?
3. If all else fails, is there somewhere safe to ditch to avoid collision?

If the answer to any of those questions is no, then I stay where I am. I'd rather my journey take 5 or 10 minutes longer than have someone tell my wife I'm not coming home.