To think people who overtake are idiots?

[sallyhansen32]

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 you were right to drop to 25 I always do that and then speed up to 30 after camera, it's safer that way

Speeding up and down (without brake lights showing) frequently isn't great, it's making conditions difficult for others. Though ideally anyone behind you should be at a distance where they can react, it's still hazardous.

If you are not over the speed limit and come across a speed camera, there's no need to adjust your speed.

Thanks for all your advice
I do appreciate it,I won't drop my speed next time

I'm sure all the negative comments will really help the OP's confidence as a new driver. Seriously, she had P Plates on, was driving a new car, in a presumably quiet area at a quiet time (presumbly 8am or earlier on a Sunday). In retrospect, perhaps she didn't need to slow down, but I'm sure we've all misjudged situations whilst driving, noone is perfect. Going around giving cars with P Plates on the finger is disgusting behaviour.

Having said that, the title to the thread is unreasonable. No way would I sit behind loads of HGVs going below the speed limit on a motorway if it's safe to overtake, for example.

OP you were right to drop to 25 I always do that and then speed up to 30 after camera, it's safer that way

It isn’t safer, or necessary.

And the precence of a speed camera should make no difference to your driving

I don't think I'm a bad driver tbh at all
Too cautious maybe at times but not cautious enough to cause any accidents

you are digging yourself a hole here. I have all sympathy for new drivers, or just hesitant ones, and I believe that if drivers were allowing more space they wouldn't get irate about someone slowing down.

You might not be a bad driver now, but you really are not a good driver! Don't overestimate yourself, and don't pretend you are. You are not confident, you are not reading and judging others accurately, you are clearly inexperienced, none of which make you a good driver.

At least be realistic! Driving skills, humour and taste are exactly the same: everyone believe they got them. The more convinced you are, the worst you usually are in real life - unless you have mastered the very advanced professional driving courses taken by some drivers.

I dont think you did anything wrong OP. It would help if you had P plates on so other drivers would understand when/if you do something like this.
Those saying they understand the van driver being frustrated....seriously? If something like this can so easily frustrate you then maybe you are the sort of person who shouldn't be driving. Impatient idiots who get wound up so easily are what we can do without on the roads.

OP your speedometer would need to show over 30 for you to actually be doing 30. You are being too cautious around speed cameras. You aren't going to get 3 points if you are driving carefully and closer to the limit and you will be driving more safely if you aren't obstructing the flow of traffic.

This thread is a complete waste of time because OP is adamant that she was in the right and will not heed any advice from those with more driving experience.

OP please, if you slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator then at least have the decency to tap the brake so that your brake lights give the vehicle behind a visual warning that you are slowing down unexpectedly.

Sorry,...I didn't know you had P plates on....that makes the other driver even more of a banker.

Just because he limit is 30 does not mean you have to drive to the limit. 5 to 10 miles below the limit is within the bounds of acceptability of a 30 limit - many towns are introducing 20 as a limit. Dropping more than 10 under the limit could be considered going too slow and so a hazard.

Ha!....wanker!!!

OP you were right to drop to 25 I always do that and then speed up to 30 after camera, it's safer that way
It's not needed and it's not safer.

Safer would be a cautious driving at a consistent speed just under 30 and others would have to act accordingly.

Slowing down randomly is not safer.

I should say it's still hazardous because a some people don't drive at a sensible distance nor do they keep constant awareness of things around them.

blackbirdbluebottle: OP you were right to drop to 25 I always do that and then speed up to 30 after camera, it's safer that way

What on earth makes you think that?!

Sorry OP didn't see your last post. Glad to hear it!

It is safer, lower the speed the less chance of the camera snapping you

OP, remember that the speed limit is just that - a limit and not a target.
The van driver was a fool.

Sorry, but if you really need a visual warning - which would help, that's what lights are for - but you are not such a great driver either. You only have to see videos of crash on the motorway where drivers didn't pay enough attention and didn't read the road properly to see why.

The car in front of you might have lights that don't work, the sun might be hiding the fact that the lights come off, there are so many reasons why you might not see them, you can't just drive based on break or indicators lights! Just don't drive so close, that would be great start!

There's no need for aggression but of course he has every right to overtake someone who can't drive at the speed limit. If you can't maintain a speed of 30 as you don't have sufficient control of the accelerator, irrelevant of the car you're driving, perhaps you need further lessons? Having a drivers licence means you should be a competent driver, perhaps don't drive again until you are as it could cause an accident.

Ok, just lifting off the accelerator when there is someone behind you is not cool. You will be the one behind one day, and one minute you're happily maintaining a safe distance and the next - argh!

Which makes it a bloody good way of deterring tailgaters!

It's also much greener. Braking + acceleration uses more fuel than just easing off. We had a "green driving" course at work, and I get 10% more MPG out of my car now. The smoother your driving, the better, for fuel economy, plus it's less wear on the brakes.

Just make sure you keep the distance between you and the car in front the same, and ease off when it reduces.

He was wrong to swear and stuck up his finger, but it makes me laugh how people think overtaking is this bad thing in England.

I grew up in Northern Ireland where here are very few dual carriageways and motorways outside of the central areas, so overtaking is an essential skill and everyday manuver. When I overtake (safely with good visibility and straight road) with English passengers, most gasp or grimace and say things like, there is a dual carriage way in 3 miles. Over taking is a driving skill, not a crime!

I had someone beeping at me for slowing abruptly to park yesterday (only parking space available). I definitely slowed abruptly, but the only reason that presented him with a problem was that he wasn't observing his stopping distances.