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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - If you want to drive below the speed limit you should pull over at regular intervals

420 replies

TheCumbrian · 30/08/2019 20:49

'It's a speed limit not a target' etc

But equally, on a good road in good conditions theres no reason why a competent driver shouldn't be able to drive somewhere close to the speed limit (sharp bends, single track national speed limit C roads etc excluded) and make reasonable progress without holding up other road users.

If you can't, you should pull over, when safe to do so, once you have 5 or more vehicles trundling behind you.

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 30/08/2019 21:43

I do drive on rural roads and generally have no issues overtaking slower drivers. But plenty of people will not overtake for whatever reason, even when it is clear to do so. So I think they are part of the problem.

herculepoirot2 · 30/08/2019 21:44

What do you mean by “somewhere close”?

Antigonads · 30/08/2019 21:51

I doubt it holds you up that much.

Chill.

herculepoirot2 · 30/08/2019 21:53

I will typically drive at 45/6 in a 50 zone and so on. I don’t want to risk being distracted and going over the limit. People love to drive right up at my bumper. I ignore them.

1CantPickAName · 30/08/2019 21:55

@TinyMystery it’s legally a 70mph road but you drive at 30, always?

Bloodybridget · 30/08/2019 22:02

I voted that YWBU but it depends on how much below the limit, really, and what the road's like. It's not always possible to pull over safely. I wouldn't drive at 70 on a bendy single carriageway. But I can see it's frustrating to be stuck behind a slow driver if you're in a hurry. I rarely drive on busy country roads.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 30/08/2019 22:03

Always on these threads we see the responses about being impatient, or assuming the OP goes too quickly etc. This isn't the point! The point is that you drive according to the conditions, so on a day with regular weather and normal visibility if you can't manage to keep up to let traffic flow as expected, don't bloody drive!
I end up wasting a load of time because of folk toodling along; failure to make sufficient progress is a test fail, so why is it OK to go 20 mph below the limit on a clear, dry day in a brand new vehicle?!

Antigonads · 30/08/2019 22:05

So angry. Should you be driving?

darkcloudsandsunnyskies · 30/08/2019 22:09

Have you ever been to Norfolk. I have never seen a tractor pull over. They have a job to do. Don’t you eat food.

Bloody Londoners.

chomalungma · 30/08/2019 22:14

I end up wasting a load of time because of folk toodling along; failure to make sufficient progress is a test fail, so why is it OK to go 20 mph below the limit on a clear, dry day in a brand new vehicle

Is 10 mph below ok for you?

Antigonads · 30/08/2019 22:14

Quite.

I was once castigated on here for saying I wouldn’t pull in when towing my horse trailer.

Fuck off. Just as much to be on the road and if I did pull in I can guarantee no bastard would ever let me out again.

LolaSmiles · 30/08/2019 22:16

My general feeling is people should drive reasonably for the conditions.

If someone can't or won't do that then there is a question mark to me over whether they should be driving.

I'm not sure that mandatory pulling in is the answer because most of the time in convinced those holding the world up think they're the super safe drivers and everyone else should be less impatient. Plus, I've had a train behind me (and been in trains) doing 55/50 appropriately on roads so a number of cars to pull in doesn't work if everyone is in a line doing an acceptable speed.

PoffleWaffleWoo · 30/08/2019 22:19

I'm from London and when I've been on holiday in the countryside I genuinely can't believe so many of those tiny rural roads are a 60 limit. It's dangerous and I won't drive that fast down them.

CassianAndor · 30/08/2019 22:19

Sensible Californians! I often think these drivers are dangerous because they are oblivious of the queue of cars behind them - so what else are they failing to notice and respond to? See also: middle lane hoggers.

CecilyP · 30/08/2019 22:19

Tractors aren’t really the problem as they go so slowly, it’s reasonably easy to overtake. It’s the drivers who pootle along at 40-50 on pretty good 60 mph road where you need a clear straight to overtake. Especially bad if it’s a fleet of camper vans!

Vulpine · 30/08/2019 22:25

Just leave more time for your journey to avoid stressing about other drivers slowing you down

Guavaf1sh · 30/08/2019 22:28

Completely agree but usually these people are so self centred they don’t think about the convenience of others

AtmosClock · 30/08/2019 22:29

I’m a slow driver and I’ll go at what speed I consider safe

DappledThings · 30/08/2019 22:34

YANBU. But we had these a few weeks ago - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3647023-speed-limits-please-explain

Lots of people being trying to justify being selfish and incompetent and claiming it's fine to drive at 40 in a 60 because they are comfortable with it.

B3ck89 · 30/08/2019 22:34

Totally agree YANBU
My commute to work is a good road 50mph and a few times I’ve been stuck behind someone doing 35 and breaking at every slight bend in the road, irritates the fuck out of me.
If it’s a rural tight road then absolutely drive at the safest speed but if it’s a good road speed up.
And don’t get me started on the twat on the dual carriageway doing 50mph in the fast lane making people undertake her cos she wouldn’t move over Angry

Schuyler · 30/08/2019 22:36

@Antigonads

I think there’s a difference between someone with a horse box or driving a tractor and someone who is, for some reason, choosing to go very slowly in good conditions in a regular car. I occasionally get stuck behind tractors on the way to work and I don’t mind as I understand.

Vulpine · 30/08/2019 22:36

Guava - so one's convenience trumps another's safety?

Sparklingbrook · 30/08/2019 22:37

What I hate driving on the most is rurally where I don't know the road. Locals know exactly where the tight bends/passing places are or where the cows are likely to be crossing and when to slow down but I don't so I will drive at a speed that is safe for me.

Locals don't like that much probably.

DrCoconut · 30/08/2019 22:37

I was behind a car doing 40 on a 70 limit dual carriageway a few days ago. There was no reason I could make out for this. I also couldn't overtake because the lane was too busy to move out safely and it becomes single carriageway near there so you can't risk not being able to merge back in.

Jsmith99 · 30/08/2019 22:39

There are two problems, which compound one another.

Firstly, the slow driver who causes traffic to queue behind her, and is too stubborn, selfish or stupid (or all three) to pull over so the rest of the drivers can get on with it.

Secondly, the incompetent driver behind the pootler who seethes with frustration at being unnecessarily held up by the idiot in front, but who lacks the skill, confidence or both to overtake her.

Thank goodness my car (BMW M135i) is quick enough to overtake them both before they even realise I am there...