To ask if anyone else has noticed lots of appalling driving since restrictions were eased?

[GoldenLabbie]

Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed some absolutely appalling driving when I’m going to and from work. I know there’s always been shit driving but it seems a lot worse since restrictions were eased. It’s almost as though they’ve either forgotten how to drive. Today I got stuck in the inside lane behind someone doing about 50 MPH trying to over take a lorry causing a huge tail back. I’ve had been nearly clip me as they overtake me, I’ve seen people pooling along way below the speed limit obvious to the fact they are holding everyone up also so many people not indicating.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

I want to know wtf is this trend of people driving around in broad daylight with their fog lights on?

I understand that some headlights are automatic but fog lights? Seriously. Its bright fucking sunlight, middle of bloody May and you're driving around with both headlights and fucking fog lights on!

[Ostara212]

I think a lot of people don't know which lights are which

Don't get me started on the super bright blinding ones

Wasn't there a big increase in car ownership the last year?

[eurochick]

Yep. I've said that people have forgotten how to drive after a year of not doing it much.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

If you can't tell headlights from fog lights, you really shouldn't be driving 😂

[Ostara212]

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

If you can't tell headlights from fog lights, you really shouldn't be driving 😂

I agree but for some it's a flick of a switch I guess. I honestly wondered if some of the drivers on the road the last year had passed a test.

[LadyTmalia]

I've had my car written off by a driver pulling off at a roundabout as I drove past very recently, a week later at a different roundabout it almost happened again, driver was gesturing I was in his way as I was almost parallel I had to stop the car and I am ashamed to say I did yell a bit whist his passenger gave me the bird :D I was petrified I would have written off the hire car.

Just now however, there was a delicious bit of drama involving 3 police cars by my house (house was empty and door kicked in - no harm done so decided to be nosey) as the PC drove off to do a 3 point turn on a blind bend, they very nearly hit the poor deliveroo driver who was cycling past (no indicators!) :D

[Miseryl]

People who drive in overtaking lanes on the motorway without overtaking are my pet hate.

[motogogo]

Terrible today but that was just quantity

[Seeline]

People seem to have lost the ability to turn right into side roads whilst staying on the left hand side of the road. The number of times I have nearly list my bonnet whilst waiting to turn out of the side road is unbelievable!

[Murraytheskull]

@Ostara212

I've been noticing since last year

Is it maybe because lots of cars now have screens where you can read texts etc? It is noticeable.

A pp said lower chance of being pulled over - is there? Have traffic police been diverted?

There's a lot of unsteady cyclists about too, noticed that last year as well.

I've no idea if traffic police have been diverted, but I can't remember the last time I saw anyone pulled over for anything. Seeing police on the roads full stop round my way is rare at the moment. Although oddly I saw police regularly on the roads during lockdown when I was driving to/from my work (essential worker).

[Looubylou]

Yes! I came in and said that very thing to my partner on Friday. People not indicating, one car rolled back 5 times in queue on a bank, people pulling out of side streets without remotely looking.

[Miseryl]

@itsgettingwierd there is no slow lane. There is a driving lane and two over taking lanes.

[RolloTomassi]

Definitely, It's like every day is Sunday driver day! It's all a bit tedious and dawdly.

Was on the ring road (40mph), slow convoy of 3 in the left lane, and some oblivious arsehole just sat next to them in the overtaking lane doing 30mph the whole way, backing up that lane too. Why?? Conditions were good, just fucking speed up, or move over!

Ah, that felt good!

[Daphnise]

There's nothing now that is as terrible as school run Mums' driving and their parking.

[newnortherner111]

It seems no worse than it has been for years where I live. With police cutbacks the number of breath tests has halved in the last ten years, an example of how motoring 'offences' (crimes) are not taken seriously.

There is no will to tackle motoring crimes.

[BogRollBOGOF]

I had one day recently where no one seemed to see my car and kept pulling out forcing me to brake sharply several times. It's a 7 seater mum-bus, not that small and subtle! I have sidelights on in the day (DLRs on the front anyway). I drive to speed limits/ road conditions, not surprisingly fast or slow.

And a lot of tailgating when I'm dawdling along at 60mph on decent NSL single carriageway roads.

I think there is a mismatch of complacent regular drivers who got used to having rhe roads to themselves and forgetting to make basic observations/ getting impatient, and people who've largely been off the roads and atrophied, and a mis-match in the middle.

[GoldenLabbie]

It seems to be across all groups as well, it’s not just the elderly which I think some posters seem to be implying. I’mI overtook some middle aged bloke in a flash Audi on the dual carriage way at about 58mph and as he pootled along staring blankly ahead. Imagine owning a car like that and not being able to sodding drive it properly?!

Also pedestrians! The day the shops reopened I nearly knocked over about five different people who walked out into the road without looking.

[JuniLoolaPalooza]

It's awful! It's like people think it's still lockdown and they're the only ones out, but it's really busy.

Loads of tailgating, driving way above the speed limit, pedestrians just wandering out into the road without looking, or crossing at ridiculous places. I also drive an electric so have to be extra cautious to people not looking. It's so busy now people really can't drive like it's 2am!

[Seeline]

The other thing I've noticed is a massive increase in the number of electric scooters (despite not actually being legal in the road or the pavement). They all seem to be ridden by utter lunatics, usually dressed completely in black, and with no acknowledgement of the highway code.

[looptheloopinahulahoop]

Is it maybe because lots of cars now have screens where you can read texts etc? It is noticeable

I don't know. There was an article in the Times yesterday saying that a car manfacturer (might have been Ford but I don't remember so apologies if unjustly maligning them) saying they want to have more infomercials on car screens!!!

It's unbelievable. You need all your wits about you when you are driving, and nutty car manufacturers want to include more distractions.

Sigh.

[looptheloopinahulahoop]

@Daphnise

There's nothing now that is as terrible as school run Mums' driving and their parking.

I agree, I've always said that. Even before the SUV explosion they all drove cars that were too big for them and they couldn't park properly.

[bigbluebus]

Definitely. The number of vehicles around here which are in ditches, through hedges and in fields with police tape around them is far in excess of pre Covid levels. Some have sadly been fatalities. Lots of impatient drivers overtaking on hatchings where they shouldn't be too. And plenty of speeding on our A roads. DH has commented on the standard of driving on his commute - even during lockdowns.

[eurochick]

I was stopped at a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights near a school this morning. I was the second on third car. As the lights changed and I went to pull away a woman leapt off the kerb with her child in tow right in front of me. She was just a few meters from a safe crossing. Idiot. So I would be inclined to agree that the pedestrians are nearly as bad.

[SpilltheTea]

Yes, people seem to be driving more recklessly. I've also gone past many runners who seem to think they're a car and refuse to go on the path.

[PassGo]

I've noticed a lot of tailgating.