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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed at cars flashing to overtake?

302 replies

moutonfou · 04/06/2017 19:09

I was on a dual-carriage way, traffic in the inside lane going about 65mph, me in the outside lane overtaking several cars steadily at about 70mph (okay, maybe it was a couple over that...). And then someone comes up behind me at 80+mph and starts flashing me, presumably to get in so he can continue to speed.

AIBU to think the overtaking lane is for overtaking and as long as I'm doing that, I've every right to be there? And that there's no god-given right to travel at 80mph even if that's your thing?

OP posts:
Orlantina · 06/06/2017 17:08

So if I am doing 70mph, I could very well be doing 70mph and person behind me can wait if there's no safe gap for me to get into - even if their speedo says they are doing 65mph.

Instasista · 06/06/2017 17:10

I think we all know that we're not talking about people who have ore accurate speedometers flashing their way past. How ridiculous

reetgood · 06/06/2017 17:12

I never knew so many people knew better than their speedometer. I imagine if you're driving a classic car, you might consider the accuracy of speedometers. I think you can be fairly confident in your speedometer otherwise.

"The law for car speedometers in the UK

The UK law is based on the EU standard, with some minor changes. A speedo must never show less than the actual speed, and must never show more than 110% of actual speed + 6.25mph. So if your true speed is 40mph, your speedo could legally be reading up to 50.25mph but never less than 40mph. Or to put it another way, if your speedo is reading 50mph, you won’t be doing more than 50mph but it’s possible you might actually only be travelling at 40mph.

To ensure that they comply with the law and make sure that their speedometers are never showing less than true speed under any foreseeable circumstances, car manufacturers will normally deliberately calibrate their speedos to read ‘high’ by a certain amount. As your satnav is not the designated device by which a car’s speed is measured, it does not need to incorporate any fudge factoring."

www.thecarexpert.co.uk/how-accurate-is-a-car-speedometer/

I am fairly confident that the defence of 'everybody knows speedometers aren't accurate' when charged with speeding wouldn't be terribly successful (with some exceptions where the speedometer was actually faulty)

I am also now only fully understanding the mentality of all the arsehole drivers I see on the road. I don't count myself as a particularly brilliant driver, but I'm a safe driver. I learnt late and I'm cautious. I stick to the speed limit (not over, not under). I have little desire to police other road users behaviour. I don't put myself in road situations that I'm uncomfortable with, if I can help it. If it weren't for the fact that their actions put other road users at risk, and can make a drive unnecessarily stressful for me, I'd be happy to say go forth and pursue your death wish. Some friends were involved in a pretty horrific collision when a tailgating, undertaking driver took a dangerous overtake on a dual to single lane carriageway. He was obviously frustrated with having to go the speed limit. Our friends survived with minor injuries. The passenger of the overtaking vehicle, and all the occupants of the vehicle in the opposite lane were not so lucky.

I don't get rationalising this behaviour. Tailgating and flashing is part of a pattern of driving which is just dangerous. It doesn't matter what your speedometer says, it doesn't matter what other road users 'should' be doing, it doesn't matter if you're an 'excellent' driver. Just chill and shake your head at the weirdos on the road. Enjoy your drive. Flashing and tailgating is as much 'policing' behaviour as deliberately slowing down is.

Scoobydoobydont · 06/06/2017 17:28

. I stick to the speed limit (not over, not under).

Jesus - I can't think of a less safe way to fdrive to be honest.

Instasista · 06/06/2017 17:39

See I motorway drive daily and speed all the time. I can't believe anyone who uses any motorway doesn't realise when they're potting along at 70 that everyone else is going much faster than them.

That said, despite my speedy ways, I wouldn't dream of flashing anyone because it's the ultimate in bad manners, arrogance , and bad driving.

scottishdiem · 06/06/2017 17:42

Haffiana - Driving safely makes you a good driver.

True. But breaking the speed limit automatically makes someone a bad driver.

reetgood · 06/06/2017 17:45

@scoobydoobydont don't be daft. Pretty sure that there are a myriad of ways of driving that are more unsafe than observing the speed limit.

...like the example given in my post, perhaps.

Scoobydoobydont · 06/06/2017 17:48

I disagree. Someone who blindly sticks to the limit regardless of other factors is a very dangerous driver. If I am on a road with a 60 limit and approaching a junction I will slow down, not barrel through it at 60. Likewise farm gates, and all sorts of other obstacles.

Incidentally a lot of the roads I drive in don't have speed limits so I can't break them.

PoorYorick · 06/06/2017 17:52

Someone who blindly sticks to the limit regardless of other factors is a very dangerous driver. If I am on a road with a 60 limit and approaching a junction I will slow down, not barrel through it at 60. Likewise farm gates, and all sorts of other obstacles

Nobody is suggesting you don't slow down for hazards! But your being in a hurry isn't an excuse to drive as badly as you say you do!

reetgood · 06/06/2017 17:54

@scoobydoobydont I can't quite believe I'm saying this (and fully expecting some kind of internet cliche klaxon to appear), but that's a fine straw man you're building there.

Again, don't be daft. I'm a cautious driver who knows my limitations. What makes you think I'm not observing other rules of the road?

Honestly, you can continue to be deliberately obtuse and give yourself further reasons to excuse dangerous driving. I would suggest you're reaching a bit. Your need to be right is, I think, weakening your arguments.

Scoobydoobydont · 06/06/2017 17:55

Reetgood said "I stick to the speed limit (not over, not under). " and thinks she is a safe driver. That is seriously scary

reetgood · 06/06/2017 17:59

@scoobydoooby dont and you admit to tailgating and flashing drivers, and apparently you are a great driver! What a surprising world we live.

Scoobydoobydont · 06/06/2017 18:04

Bloody hell. How many times! I don't tailgate.

I have admitted to flashing my lights at people from a safe distance when it has been apparent they want to drive slower than I do and have made no attempt to politely move out of they way to let a vehicle which is wanting to travel more quickly (but perfectly legally) get past.

reetgood · 06/06/2017 18:10

@scoobydoobydont silly me, that's obviously quite different and is clearly safe driving.

TittyGolightly · 06/06/2017 19:20

i don't count myself as a particularly brilliant driver, but I'm a safe driver. I learnt late and I'm cautious. I stick to the speed limit (not over, not under)

Yesterday morning, during rush hour, there was torrential rain. The safest speed on my M4 commute was around 30mph due to spray, poor visibility and idiots with no lights on. You sticking to the speed limit in those circumstances would have almost certainly led to your death.

Orlantina · 06/06/2017 19:24

Yesterday morning, during rush hour, there was torrential rain

There was rain today. There was someone doing 50 mph on a 60 road. Because it was raining, slower car, carrying a load?

There was someone just behind them, about 5 m behind. Probably in a rush. Tailgating. Desperate to overtake.

They did eventually. Just before a hill and a bend.

It made me think of this thread.

Scoobydoobydont · 06/06/2017 19:34

There was rain today. There was someone doing 50 mph on a 60 road. Because it was raining, slower car, carrying a load?

They should have pulled and let the other car past

TittyGolightly · 06/06/2017 19:36

What's your point Orlantina?

Orlantina · 06/06/2017 19:40

They should have pulled and let the other car past

Why?

Should a car that is doing slightly under the speed limit automatically pull over to let a car that wants to go faster and is right behind them get past?

I get tractors do that. I get that people towing caravans do that. Because they can go slowly.

But 50mph in a 60?

That's just life. Wait for a safe space to overtake and hold back until it's safe.

reetgood · 06/06/2017 19:47

Ffs. Obviously I allow for driving conditions Hmm

But continue with your magnificent straw men!

reetgood · 06/06/2017 19:50

But back to the actual point: i fail to see how any of this makes flashing people and tailgating acceptable or safe driving?

TittyGolightly · 06/06/2017 20:02

Ffs. Obviously I allow for driving conditions

Obviously? How were we supposed to get that from what you said?!

TittyGolightly · 06/06/2017 20:03

But back to the actual point: i fail to see how any of this makes flashing people and tailgating acceptable or safe driving?

I don't think anyone on this thread has said that tailgating is acceptable. Flashing someone that is in the wrong lane/not driving at the correct speed etc doesn't demand tailgating and is fine. Highway Code says flashing lights mean "here I am" and that's what they're being used for.

Instasista · 06/06/2017 20:04

Flashing is not fine. It's rude, intimidating and bullying.

user1486076969 · 06/06/2017 20:12

Ah, that'll be an Audi driver behind you..........