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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think people who overtake are idiots?

677 replies

sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 08:36

So this morning I was out early.
I was on a road with a 30 mph limit..there's a speed camera next to a school.
I'm new to driving so didn't want to go crazy so I dropped down to 25mph till I passed through it.
A van overtook me and stuck his fingers up.
Was I going to slow?
If I was then fair enough ..but it's not like I was going through under 20.

OP posts:
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6
BrinDiesel · 15/07/2018 08:50

Overtaking in a 30 is idiotic.

What annoys me is someone pootling along at 35-40mph on a 60 road, creating a long queue and being completely oblivious.

In that situation, yes, I would definitely overtake.

Tonicwaterandgin · 15/07/2018 08:51

Yes his behaviour was rude but I can see why he overtook when you were dropped suddenly to 25 - he wasn't to know you were then going to speed up. You should be driving at a consistent speed not slowing down and speeding up, new driver or not. Perhaps you should consider some more lessons with your instructor to build your confidence and help you understand how to drive consistently?

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 08:51

My instructor always taught me a speed limit is a guide not a target.

OP posts:
Nothisispatrick · 15/07/2018 08:51

You said 'people who overtake are idiots'.

If the van driver was able to overtake you without getting flashed by the speed camera, you must have been going very slowly. It is not unreasonable to overtake someone going too slowly.

findthegap · 15/07/2018 08:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

implantsandaDyson · 15/07/2018 08:51

Overtaking is a perfectly legitimate and necessary driving manouvre, braking and then accelerating once you're out of speed camera view is being a poor road user.

He was a dick to give you the fingers but I wouldn't be taking the high ground here.

hammeringinmyhead · 15/07/2018 08:51

Yes, you were going too slowly. But there was no need for his aggressive gesture. If you do this on a 60mph road (suddenly brake down to 50 or 45 for a camera) you're likely to cause an accident.

4littlebirds · 15/07/2018 08:52

I would overtake someone that was driving slowly, if I was likely to be stuck behind them for a while and it was safe to do so.
I find people that drive significantly slower than speed limit as much as a menace, as people driving too fast.
Van drivers sounds like a bit of a wally, but they’re often just trying to get to jobs, so he was probably frustrated at being stuck behind you.

FASH84 · 15/07/2018 08:52

Hopefully after I get more used to the car il not drive so slow.
I'm still not 100% on how much pressure to put on accelerator so didn't want to go over 30 and get 3 points.

Well this is worrying. Maybe you need to do pass plus, anxious, hesitant drivers cause accidents just as much as aggressive boy racer types

treaclesoda · 15/07/2018 08:53

Hmm. It's frustrating being stuck behind someone going slowly but on the other hand, just because the speed limit is 30 doesn't mean that you're obliged to drive at 30. And the other driver was aggressive and rude.

PurpleDaisies · 15/07/2018 08:53

Yes, but you didn’t drop your speed because conditions meant that you should. Slowing down unnecessarily and unpredictably is pretty poor driving.

Clearly you don’t think you were out of order here. What was the point in asking?

treaclesoda · 15/07/2018 08:54

But it's also quite worrying that you feel you're not sure how much pressure to put on the accelerator. That doesn't sound very safe.

NeeChee · 15/07/2018 08:55

If it is safe to do so (don't forget to indicate) you can always pull over to let other drivers pass. I never tailgate, but I know there are some nobs who will do this to a slower driver (It doesn't help, they really need to drop back to see the road ahead and overtake).
The day I picked my car up, I ended up pulling up on a country road, and I'd been driving 9 years.

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 08:55

Does everyone get the feel for a new car straight away?
Every car drives different,and this car drives so different to the one I learnt in.

OP posts:
BlueBug45 · 15/07/2018 08:55

When you see a 30mph speed camera unless the conditions are unsafe you drive at exactly 30mph on your Speedo. Driving slower than that annoys other drivers and puts you at more risk of being involved in an accident due to your unpredictability. Also some police will stop you if you are going too slowly as they think you may be drunk, on your phone or whatever.

FourForYouGlenCoco · 15/07/2018 08:55

OP I get you, being a new driver is scary and overwhelming, so YABU and driving badly but I’m sympathetic. You need some P plates so people know why you’re not very confident. Hopefully with a bit of practise you’ll be happier driving at the speed limit - it is REALLY annoying to be stuck behind people dithering along at snail’s pace.
But tbh van man sounds like the type of dickhead that just wants to overtake for the sake of it - I’ve been overtaken before (and I tend to err on the speedy side of the limit) by people who then zoom off waaay too fast. Console yourself with the thought that van man will probably get done by the speed camera soon enough Wink

Nogodsnomasters · 15/07/2018 08:55

Op yes I was taught the same and I'm driving 4 years, speed limit is just that - a limit its not a target, you do not have to drive the maximum speed on every road you are on. I don't think 25 on a 30 road is really THAT slow especially if it was only for a minute or two and not the entire road. I don't think you did anything wrong and the van driver was unnecessarily aggressive. Some people have no patience when it comes to driving and clearly their intended destination is more important that safety.

FleeceDetective · 15/07/2018 08:56

He overtook you because you were a frustrating and overly cautious driver, he had a clear opportunity and took it before getting stuck behind you the entire journey.

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 08:56

I just didn't want to risk going at 30.
When there's a few cars parked up I felt safer dropping my speed a tiny bit just incase.

OP posts:
Scienceforthewin · 15/07/2018 08:56

"speed limit is a guide not a target."
This is true in that where there is a reason - eg fog, you should slow down. However you should balance it with the fact that you would fail your driving test for driving under the speed limit with no good reason - ie you are expected to drive at the speed limit in good conditions

PurpleDaisies · 15/07/2018 08:57

If you’re not sure whether you’ll accidentally accelerate or not, you really shouldn’t be on the road.

historyismything · 15/07/2018 08:57

You need some advanced training or something with your instructor. Him giving the finger was wrong but you driving 25 in a 30 is just as stupid.
It's very frustrating as a confident driver to be stuck behind someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

sonjadog · 15/07/2018 08:57

People who suddenly drop speed for no reason are a pain in the neck and dangerous on the road. I think it is very understandable that the driver wanted to get away from you asap.

Spudlet · 15/07/2018 08:57

With experience, you will get the hang of new cars much more quickly. It just takes time.

Someone told me that once you pass your test, that's when you really learn to drive - and it's true, ime.

AirForce0ne · 15/07/2018 08:58

Speed limit is not a target, it pisses me off so much when people think other drivers are "too slow" because they are doing 5 or 10 m/ph less than the limit. 20 mph on the motorway is insane and will kill someone, but doing 25 on a 30 road is fine.
The ones who are idiots are the overly confident drivers who think they can drive dangerously and recklessly. You usually catch up with them at the next traffic light or junction anyway, they don't save any time, they are just morons putting everyone else in danger.

That said, of course it's a very dumb thing to call "over-takers" idiots! If it's safe and legal, why on earth would they be stuck behind slow drivers. Why do you think so many roads have double or triple lanes? To allow people to do just that!
I don't get the angst about slow drivers - unless it's really dangerously low speed - but I am more than happy to overtake to keep a speed I feel is safe for me.

Either way, the issue is more about selfish and inconsiderate drivers either way, they are dangerous.

To think people who overtake are idiots?
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