Can I start a rules of the road you don’t learn on driving lessons thread?

[RebornFlame]

These are mine:
You will be treated differently depending on what car you drive (having passed in my 30’s people see my banger of a tiny hatchback and treat me far worse on the roads than when I’m driving dh’s estate)

2: a tractor that slows down and indicates right is telling you it’s safe to overtake them.

3: playing rock anthems so loudly the static kicks in is a very sad look for a mum on a school run and cars and not sound proof to the outside world. (I am the sad twat in question here!).

Please add your own

Just because you are indicating doesn't mean I have to let you in to my lane!

Number of drivers who just turn their indicators on when they are right next to you and expect you to just let them in. Bonus points if they are going 20mph less than you

Also if I am the only car in the left lane, and you are coming onto the motorway, it should be pretty bloody easy for you to merge and avoid me. It is a courtesy that I move over to let you in.

I will change lanes and let people in if it's safe but the amount of cars who cannot merge when someone doesn't let them in is shocking.

Also if 2 lanes are merging you must absolutely not under any circumstances leave a gap between you and the car in front. Because god forbid you keep the traffic flowing

I've done a lot of motorway driving this month - way more than usual - and notice the following (which are intended to be lighthearted and I'm aware that there are exceptions to these ):

• BMW, Range Rover, Audi and Honda Jazz are clearly not allowed to use the inside lane on either a 3 or 4 lane motorway.
• Range Rover drivers (and those in 'big' SUV such as X7 or Q8) don't need to have both hands on the steering wheel - one arm has to be resting on the drivers door or central console!
• if there is a small car refusing to move from the middle lane, its often driven by someone small and/or old with their nose almost on the steering wheel
• whichever lane I move into in a traffic jam, it will immediately become the slowest moving line of traffic
• once you've gone past a service station because you thought your bladder could last until the next one 20 miles down the road, you will either a) suddenly need the loo NOW or b) hit a traffic jam

However there are loads of drivers on the road who DO know how to drive courteously and safely and these are definitely in the majority. Have also noticed how much more slowly people drive these days - 30 years ago 90 mph on the motorway was the norm but these days more people seems to stick to 70 (ish)

Yes hen please accelerate to an appropriate speed on a slip road! Don't go 20 onto a road travelling at 60, I've got no hope!

Different towns have their own 'rules', especially on roundabouts and the etiquette of letting people out first when they're on the left, but traffic is heavy. Know the local 'rules'!

Bmws/audis must be in the fast lane, and must get there at all costs, even if it means dangerously crossing all 3 lanes at once. I think it's actually illegal for a bmw to travel less than 70 on a motorway, and definitely illegal for them to get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle. Imagine having to travel in the whispers left lane

He who dares: wins! Is the rule at mini roundabouts. If it is a 3 exit roundabout and everyone wants the 2nd exit, brownie points for who goes.

On a more serious note, I wish zipping was a thing, would really improve traffic flow (I think it is a requirement in some countries)

@ivykaty44 we obviously got taught to drive differently. I was taught the merge thing but also to aid drivers coming on to a motorway/dual carriageway by changing lanes when safe to do so. Each to their own on this then

Jojo I was taught give priority to traffic already on the motorway check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane

France is the same but often very short slip roads

Its different in US as think 🤔

@RebornFlame
When passing horses (and as a horse rider) please also look to the rider for any instructions - if I’m asking you to stop over taking me on a bend it might be because I can see a car coming the other way - I’m higher up that you.

Whilst I agree with this 100% on a tight bend (where I personally would not be overtaking anyone) can I as a car driver ask you as a horse rider to NOT try to wave me past you on the road if you do not have a straight piece of road. (Like a winding country lane) You might be able to hear petrol and diesel cars but you can not hear electric cars and if I follow your instructions to overtake and one arrives the fault is mine. Additionally it will likely cost both your mine and your horses life if I follow that instruction and a electric car arrives going then other way.

Also do not stick your finger up at me if I as the car driver do not overtake you when you feel you should. Again the responsibility is mine "I" need to feel comfortable with when I pass you.

Oh and if you know there is a school near by perhaps dont go riding on main routes to that school at school let out times. Or at least be aware there will be a increased amount of cars on the road. Again dont use your middle finger at me if I choose to not overtake you when I do not feel it is safe. I likely have my children in the car in this situation and frankly I dont felt they need to see that.

I live on the country side and I meet a lot of horse riders many are good but just as many are as over entitled as cyclist. The road is there for all of us but the only way to keep us all safe is for all of us to be aware of keeping us ALL safe.

cyclists in lycra are a massive pita as are anyone using country lanes that cannot reverse

On the motorway:

Don't come behind me and assume I'm willing to speed x10 the speed limit because I'm 'in a nice car'.

No, 30cm is not a suitable distance to keep between us. Please overtake me or slow down.

If there's no where for me to go, don't pester me by slowing down and speeding up again. I saw you the first time. This is not Fast and Furious and lorries do NOT have a car sized gap for me to turn into.

And I totally agree with @Sashh, in Manchester, do NOT stop at an amber there's times where I've passed a light as its turned amber and magically, 5 cars were able to pass it too.

Some people think using the far left hand lane to turn right at a roundabout is acceptable.

There are some complicated roundabouts operating like spirals where if you use the official marked lane you will effectively be doing this. I can think of two on a regular route I drive. I go into the official lane for my turning, which isn’t the first right turn. I stay in this lane, following the lane markings, and pass two earlier left turns before turning left myself. So I have been in the proper lane for my turning at one o’clock but it happens to be the outside lane. It always feels weird but that’s how it’s laid out. And it works!

If I am traveling in the right hand lane and successfully overtaking the traffic in the left hand lane, I have just as much right to be there as you, even if I don't actually want to go ten miles over the speed limit like you wish me to. Stop tailgating me. Absence of cameras does not equate to absence of a speed limit.