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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
6
JacquesHammer · 15/07/2018 09:39

Driving 25 in a 30 zone is reasonable

As a constant I would agree. Coming off the accelerator for speed cameras thereby not giving people behind warning isn’t reasonable.

AirForce0ne · 15/07/2018 09:39

OP you need to understand that being slow doesn't equal being safe. It might be safER for you to be slower and build your confidence, and impatient drivers would prefer if you never slow down ever Hmm, but I can show you many examples of slow drivers who are really crap.

Don't start speeding, but don't over estimate your abilities. A pass-plus course would probably help you too.

Nikephorus · 15/07/2018 09:39

A 30 zone, going past a school - 25 is absolutely acceptable and I'm not sure why there are so many posters saying that you should have been driving at 30.
Probably because it was first thing on a sunny Sunday morning - slowing to 25 outside a school Monday to Friday (exc holidays) when it's school run time is sensible, doing the same when school is shut & there's bugger all traffic on the road is crackers.
If you're obeying the speed limit then you don't need to slow down for a speed camera. And if you suddenly start dawdling along then someone behind you may think you're looking for a parking spot or a turning or an address and will be doing that all the way along the road - then they'll overtake. Safe overtaking is a good way of ensuring the traffic doesn't build up unnecessarily. His only failing was giving you the finger.

MaisyPops · 15/07/2018 09:41

Tbh now I'm a bit scared to drive incase more people think I'm dangerous or a bad driver.
You won't improve as a driver until you can learn from your mistakes.
The van driver may have done more than 30. That's irrelevant. When they got behind you and you were doing 30, you then slowed for no reason.

Slowing abruptly is not a safe thing to do. If you do that people will want to overtake. If you insist that you are safe and other drivers mustn't be then you probably will remain an overly cautious, inconsistent driver and that's not ideal.

If you're unsure then drive consistently a couple of mph under the speed limit and build your confidence.

Pengggwn · 15/07/2018 09:42

JacquesHammer

At a particular level I would agree with you, as in, slamming the brakes on. Perhaps 'abruptly' was a misleading word. I slowed 'markedly' and pulled into a parking space, which should not have presented anyone with a problem. The only reason the driver behind me was annoyed was because he was going too fast and was too close.

Almondio · 15/07/2018 09:42

The national speed limit is a limit, not a target. If you felt the conditions meant you needed to drop your speed then you did the right thing.

Unfortunately there are always 'cleverer, smarter drivers' who can see around bends and who know better than everyone else, putting the safety of all others in jeopardy by overtaking when it's not necessary, nor safe.

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 09:43

I didn't slow abruptly ...I dropped 2/3 mph for a few seconds ..the van wasn't even close to me at this point.
He came round faster than 30 ..didn't stay behind me,came to new side and then got in front.
Sorry if I offended anyone with the "idiot " comment wasn't meaning overtaking in general was just a bit upset at being swore at

OP posts:
Pythonesque · 15/07/2018 09:44

Just keep driving and get your confidence up :) I've skipped a few pages in the middle but just wanted to say, going out early on a Sunday morning sounds very sensible until you've got a better feel for your new car!

duckfuckduck · 15/07/2018 09:45

How do you know he swore at you?

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 09:45

Sunday and late night was the only time really I've been out except when I drove to work the other day ..that is 2 streets away.
I haven't been going out rush hour specifically because I didn't want to slow others whilst I'm still new

OP posts:
sendthecoffee · 15/07/2018 09:46

If he overtook you going past an active speed camera and he didn't get flashed, you were driving too slowly.

I'm far from a confident driver, but if you can't drive at the speed limit confidently, I suspect you may benefit from doing a pass plus type course.

We live just off a 40 mph road - it's a tourist area so lots of people driving under the speed limit whilst looking for their camp site. I try to be patient, but my god, it's infuriating when you're trying to get on with your daily life, even more so when they suddenly slow down. I quite regularly have to over take these drivers.

Yabu.

Barbaro · 15/07/2018 09:46

You were both unreasonable and stupid.

He shouldn't have stuck his fingers up at you.

But you shouldn't have slowed down for a speed camera. If you're doing 30 stick to it. Slowing down is stupid.

And sorry but unless your new car is a lamborghini and you used to drive a focus you really have no excuse for why you don't know the pressure either. Learn to drive better.

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 09:46

He put his finger up..
He drove next to me ..I looked over to see what he was doing.
I was nervous as he wasn't getting in front just stayed there next to me for a couple of seconds

OP posts:
EstuaryBird · 15/07/2018 09:47

Near me we have a very busy 40mph dual carriageway, the speed limit is clearly marked in several locations. There is a speed camera. As soon as people see the speed camera about 10% of them slam the brakes on and slow down to 30.

Aside from being obviously dangerous it also shows that they have no clue about the speed limit of the road that they are driving on.
Speed cameras just seem to trigger the brake reflex in some people.

When driving please consider the consequences of your actions on those behind you.

Pengggwn · 15/07/2018 09:47

This thread is ridiculous. How on earth do people cope on the road if someone dropping their speed by 2/3 mph puts them out to this extent? They shouldn't be behind the wheel.

AirForce0ne · 15/07/2018 09:47

Probably because it was first thing on a sunny Sunday morning

realistically, that's when I expect to see most of learner drivers around here! The road is full of L plates and driving school cars and bikes.

Original poster
sallyhansen32 · 15/07/2018 09:47

I intend to learn better...obviously that will come after the first week surely !

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 15/07/2018 09:48

This thread is ridiculous. How on earth do people cope on the road if someone dropping their speed by 2/3 mph puts them out to this extent? They shouldn't be behind the wheel

You’re bizarrely aggressive over this. Probably because you’re the type of driver who slows “markedly” 🙄😂

duckfuckduck · 15/07/2018 09:48

But you are saying he swore?

PipeDown1 · 15/07/2018 09:49

Sally my advice would be to start growing a thick skin when it comes to driving. There will be many idiots out there who pull out in front of you/cut you up/tailgate/swear at you/get aggressive. They are in the wrong behaving this way but if you get upset every time someone does this then you'll be upset every day of driving!

I just roll my eyes and think "twat," then carry on with my day.

In this case he was perfectly ok to overtake you but the swearing was unnecessary. This is where you just think "twat" and move on..

Pengggwn · 15/07/2018 09:49

When driving please consider the consequences of your actions on those behind you

That is exactly how you shouldn't drive. Worry about what is in front. The person behind should do the same. Nobody is responsible for anyone else's car.

Chewbecca · 15/07/2018 09:49

He was an idiot.

However, you shouldn't adjust your driving because of speed cameras, people speeding up & slowing down for no apparent reason could be dangerous. Speed cameras are not there to ensure people go slower on the small bit of road in their range.

Just ensure you are always driving within the speed limit and you can be confident you will avoid any fines.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 15/07/2018 09:49

Inthink people are picking on the OP. I recently drove a courtesy car and had to do a trial run close to home before I could safely drive the next day. It felt really strange. Only on the third day i felt completely at ease with the car. It was a newer car than mine, the bitimg point felt different and the acceleration.

AirForce0ne · 15/07/2018 09:49

Learn to drive better
and that's exactly what the OP is doing! Early Sunday morning driving, what more do you want?

Unless we build practice roads in this country for learners, and that's never going to happen, we haven't go the space anyway, we have to share the roads with beginners, and all sorts of drivers.

TittyGolightly · 15/07/2018 09:50

I'm talking about someone overtaking you for being 4 or 5 mph under the speed limit for 5 seconds.

Your dash might say 25mph, more likely your actual speed was 22mph. That’s quite a lot below 30!

I would hardly say being overly cautious after driving for 3 /4 days makes me a idiot either.

Do you have P plates? Otherwise how does anything know you’re nervous rather than a bad driver?

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