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AIBU?

To think driving standards are generally awful?

160 replies

Jknow · 17/10/2022 01:01

I’ve been driving for 24 years, and I realise that there’s a lot more traffic on the roads now than there used to be. Which is obviously going to mean a higher total number of people who don’t have a bloody clue, but honestly it seems endemic at the moment.

Things I’ve noticed in particular lately:

Indicators appear to have become entirely optional, not just at roundabouts but also pulling over or turning into a junction.

People don’t give way when they’re supposed to. When it’s your right of way and you’re approaching a parked car on the other side of the road, or one of those traffic calming bits where the road narrows and signs show it’s your right of way, drivers coming the other way seem to be increasingly taking the view that if they can nip in there first then they do so, causing you to stop when it’s your right of way.

Undertaking. Was on a fairly busy motorway today and saw two separate cars going like stink, cutting into whichever lane they could make the most progress in and undertaking time and time again.

People who seemingly have no idea how to reverse their car. I live in the countryside and on narrow lanes frequently have to reverse back bloody miles, when the person I meet coming the other way has a place much closer they could reverse to, because they sit there looking panicked and helpless rather than just bloody well reverse back.

I used to enjoy driving. I don’t anymore.

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LionsandLambs · 17/10/2022 07:00

I find most of it is the proliferation of SUVs. People don’t stay over their side of the road. Don’t get me started on motorway middle lane hoggers.

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Ifailed · 17/10/2022 07:03

Agree with the rise in the use of over-sized SUVs. Later on this morning I'm going to have to drive past 3 secondary schools all within 1/2 mile, plus a primary. Most of the cars will have 1 driver & 1 passenger, and most of the drivers will have no idea how wide or long their vehicle is.
Throw in some school buses and parked cars and it will be mayhem for an hour.

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Mardyface · 17/10/2022 07:05

In London it is the learner mopeds (who presumably never take a lesson or pass a test) not seeming to understan - passing on the inside when you are turning left, hovering in your blind spot, driving through roadblocks that are a menace. That and fucking electric scooter riders with no helmets, road sense,

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NashvilleQueen · 17/10/2022 07:06

Driving slower than the 60 speed limit on a single carriageway whilst frustrating for those behind isn't an indication of bad driving in itself. In fact it might be evidence to the contrary.

If you're used to the roads then fine but for others who may not be keeping your speed down a little rather than taking unanticipated bends too fast etc is a far better driver

I guess it depends on where you live. It's not terrible around here and not noticeably different over the years.

I do absolutely agree about undertaking/middle lane hoggers tho.

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Mardyface · 17/10/2022 07:06

Oof that posted too soon but is ranty enough anyway. Basically people with no sense of their own mortality.

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outtheshowernow · 17/10/2022 07:07

Loads of drivers with head down looking in their lap at their phone texting or just talking holding the phone. Just awful

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Riapia · 17/10/2022 07:19

Except me, of course.
I never make a mistake.
Well, maybe on the odd occasion but everybody does, don’t they?
😇😁😁😁

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PortiasBiscuit · 17/10/2022 07:21

I think a lot of people drive less since Covid. They are less practiced at it.

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TeefAsseblief · 17/10/2022 07:22

Driving standards are awful.
Some because people are selfish and entitled (middle lane hoggers), aggressive people (tailgaters), people who are behind a wheel but seemingly don't know how to work their car/drive/know any highway code or driving laws. Got to wonder where those licences came from.

Attitude has got to be a huge factor though. Seen people admitting to it on here, as if it is something to be proud of. People going slower (50) than the speed limit in a 2 lane arterial road (70) for example. Limit driving car will come up behind, and expect slower to move over - except the slower car will be slow down even more, claiming for safety, but is just an act of passive aggressiveness, because they won't be forced to do anything.

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DomesticShortHair · 17/10/2022 07:23

HighlandPony · 17/10/2022 02:55

Totally. Lane discipline - rotten. Meandering at 30-40 in a 60 - need shooting. Going right round a roundabout in the outside lane - hang the bastards. I’ve been driving since I was nine though only legally mostly since 17 and I’ve got a class 1, I think half these buggers passed their test in Lego land

This is my world. I live rurally and call them the 40 milers- national speed limit, open straight road, good visibility, no hazards. 40 mph. Come to a village with no footpaths and 30 mph speed limit- 40 mph.

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ivykaty44 · 17/10/2022 07:28

im constantly tailgated driving at the exact speed limit of the road, it’s dangerous and infuriating.

but, they never overtake if I slowdown 🤷‍♀️

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HRTQueen · 17/10/2022 07:29

I think it’s to do with more people on the road more irritation abs nervous driving (that creates more irritation)

but having driven in a few countries driving in the UK even London is a dream of orderly conduct

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ivykaty44 · 17/10/2022 07:31

DomesticShortHair Just overtake then? If they’re traveling at 40mph on a 60mph limited road, it’s clear and straight - go round them.

they are entitled to travel under the speed limit, you are entitled to overtake when safe to do so

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Panauchocolat25 · 17/10/2022 07:32

It's busier now, everyone in a rush to get anywhere.
Cars are bigger than they used to be so more difficult to park/manoeuvre.
More older people on the road due to ageing population.
I don't drive now because I don't trust other people. So many idiots on the road it terrifies me!

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onemouseplace · 17/10/2022 07:37

Indicating (or lack of), no idea how a roundabout is supposed to work and anything and everything jumping red lights are my (London) driving bugbears.

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Itsunlovelyinthegarden · 17/10/2022 07:40

I agree, people who don't indicate and expect you to be mind readers. Temporary traffic lights where it's fine to ignore the red light and force your way through. People constantly cutting traffic up on the motorway. Outside schools, people who, instead of waiting for a minute to let traffic through, try forcing their way down the street. Oh and people sat in their cars with their doors wide open into the road. Also drivers who drive onto the pavement as a way of getting round roadworks etc. Plus the aggressive tailgating when you are travelling at the speed limit. Too much aggression out there.

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Lunar270 · 17/10/2022 07:40

DomesticShortHair · 17/10/2022 07:23

This is my world. I live rurally and call them the 40 milers- national speed limit, open straight road, good visibility, no hazards. 40 mph. Come to a village with no footpaths and 30 mph speed limit- 40 mph.

I find these are the same A-holes that block any attempt to overtake by speeding up. Infuriating.

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Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 07:45

Worriedmillie and mardy, how one treats more vulnerable road users is a pretty good indication of how well some one drives

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LeopardLife · 17/10/2022 07:47

My friend is learning currently and to be honest it’s no wonder there are lots of crap drivers on the road. She doesn’t have to do hardly any of the manoeuvres anymore that I had to do in my test. All quite essential manoeuvres to especially where I live. All they have to do is follow a sat nav and drive into a space.

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Mardyface · 17/10/2022 07:48

What's your point @Fastandlupine ? Do you imagine that I'm driving round ploughing through moped drivers and electric scooter riders? If I was they wouldn't bother me would they? Because I wouldn't care.

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Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 07:51

Lunar, don't over take then

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dottiedodah · 17/10/2022 07:53

The roads in our seaside town are so busy. We have a huge amount of visitors in summer so very hectic. Even in quieter months it's just mad.worst thing is side roads people drive like mad then just about stop in the nick of time.ive had people let me go to have person behind them overtake!

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DomesticShortHair · 17/10/2022 07:54

ivykaty44 · 17/10/2022 07:31

DomesticShortHair Just overtake then? If they’re traveling at 40mph on a 60mph limited road, it’s clear and straight - go round them.

they are entitled to travel under the speed limit, you are entitled to overtake when safe to do so

Just because a road ahead is clear and straight, it doesn’t mean there isn’t traffic coming in the opposite direction, or junctions preventing you from overtaking. But a nice bit of patronising there to start your day.

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OoooohMatron · 17/10/2022 07:55

HighlandPony · 17/10/2022 02:55

Totally. Lane discipline - rotten. Meandering at 30-40 in a 60 - need shooting. Going right round a roundabout in the outside lane - hang the bastards. I’ve been driving since I was nine though only legally mostly since 17 and I’ve got a class 1, I think half these buggers passed their test in Lego land

9! How did your feet reach the pedals?

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inigomontoyahwillcox · 17/10/2022 07:56

I've had two very near misses on the roads over the past couple of weeks.

There was a car in the middle lane on the motorway in front of me (I was in the inside lane) who was swerving into both the inside and outside lane regularly. He wasn't going very fast (although was constantly slowing down down and speeding up). I had to overtake and get out of his way, it was dangerous to be behind him - so moved into the middle lane and waited for him to swerve over to the inside lane, went into the outside and overtook him. My passenger glanced over as I overtook expecting to see someone obviously drunk behind the wheel - nope, a guy with his mobile in his hand typing out a message!

Another, country road, car came over the brown of the hill towards me in the correct lane, with a van pulling a trailer directly behind it - the van was about 2/3rds on my side of the road - I had an almost vertical grass verge to my left, so nowhere to go - had milliseconds to pull as far over to the left as I could and the van pulled slightly back into its own lane - just enough for me to get away with only my wing mirror getting whacked. I had to pull over and have a bit of a cry after that one as I was in a bit of shock I think - life properly flashed before my eyes.

I've seen so much more dangerous driving recently. I never used to be at all afraid of driving - but I just don't trust other drivers these days.

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