People who drive 40 everywhere

[PeRiO]

Sorry this subject has probably been done to death but I let it really annoy me today so just want to get it off my chest 🤣
AIBU to be annoyed at people who drive 40mph everywhere? Following a car home today, I live in a small village of which the road to it varies between 30/60. It isn't a bad road, fairly straight on the 60 bits but I appreciate 60 isn't a target speed but it riles me up when said car is happy to speed in the 30 bits but not willing to go a little faster in the 60 bits.

Anyone else?

This is advice that the police and IAM give

The police and IAM teach acceleration sense, that is planning ahead and adjusting your speed by lifting off.

No, it’s something you do. Most of us weren’t taught to drive that way, have always braked and will continue to do so. And braking doesn’t mean sudden slowing @Teddleshon, are you unable to brake gently? It’s not hard to tickle the brakes.

Reading this it’s frightening how people seem to be relying on brake lights to adjust their speed rather than observing the traffic ahead.

Doesn't drive me as crazy as the person driving on my bumper when I am doing 20 in a 20 zone 30 in 30 zone etc.

I have a tendency to gradually drop my speed when someone does that. I thought I was just being awkward, but then I went on a speed awareness course after getting a speeding fine (for doing 23 in a 20 zone) and they told us that's actually what you are supossed to do if you acquire a tailgater. On the basis that if you make them go a bit slower, they then have more time to stop if you suddenly have to stop in an emergency, and the injury you sustain will be less as hit at a lower speed. Slightly off topic, sorry

And that’s obviously something that crap drivers do.

No, it’s something most people are taught to do. I can’t be that crap - nearly 40 years without an accident.

You can lightly touch your brake pedal as a warning if required. It's what advanced drivers are taught to do.

Anyone who can’t plan ahead and adjust their speed (within reason) by lifting off is arguably a crap driver.

In your opinion. It’s not a matter of can’t, if you were taught to drive a certain way and have done so for decades you’re not going to change, are you? If it ain’t broke, why fix it? And it’s not harming anyone.

Well, it’s certainly not the behaviour of a good driver! Do you go through life only doing things as you were taught and never looking to improve? Driving is a skill which you hone as your experience grows. Maybe you should do some advanced lessons, sounds like you might learn a thing or two?

It's more than likely harming your car meaning you'll need new brake pads more often and also more strain on suspension etc.

Ever wondered why, when driving down a road of free flowing traffic on a clear day (Motorway or dual carriageway in particular) and there's congestion which clears for no obvious reason. More than likely it was caused by someone who got too close or failed to observe a junction or slip road and ended up having to brake, which causes the "concertina" or "ripple" effect where their braking leads all the cars behind to brake, and so it goes on, often for a mile or two.

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/ever-wondered-why-theres-a-traffic-jam-on-a-motorway-with-no-reason.18790728/

I’m way too old to have advanced lessons. Like I said if it ain’t broke, why fix it? I think I’ve probably honed my driving skill pretty well in 40 accident free years over tens of thousands of miles, don’t you? Anyway enjoy your brake free driving.

Yes, or at least brake every time someone comes towards them. Fine on a narrow country lane, a bit silly on a wide two way traffic road!

And engine braking is much better for your car. I hate it when people brake all the time when there is no need to. Just lift your foot off the gas. And no, people won't go into you.

No, you sound like a pretty poor driver to me! Balls to being too old, plenty of older people take advanced courses and tests, age is no barrier.

I agree - if someone isn't paying attention they will go into the back of you brake lights or no. They shouldn't be that close, anyway.

The IAM actually does courses for older drivers (and young, just passed test, drivers too) so nobody is too old to have lessons with them.

I really don’t care what I sound like to you. The evidence is very clear that I’m a perfectly good driver.

And yet the evidence you post here suggests you’re not. Not having accidents is kind of the bare minimum really, it doesn’t mean you’re “perfectly good”. Try the IAM, go for an assessment drive then have a few lessons, you’ll be amazed with the skills you can learn.

Or even just buy a copy of Roadcraft

What is the matter with you? The evidence I post here suggests I am, it’s certainly good enough for my insurer to assess my risk and give me a full no claims discount. I don’t want to learn more skills, thank you. I have far more important things to do with my time and money.

I agree. I was an advanced motoring "observer" for around 20 years and lots of our "learners" were OAPs, many wanted to brush up on the driving as they realised they weren't as safe as they used to be, some wanted reminders of all the things they used to know which they'd forgotten, some just did it for a kind of hobby/interest.

Very few were "lost causes" and the vast majority passed their IAM advanced driving test in the same timescale as younger drivers. In fact, there was only one old lady that we had to give up on, she was in her 90s, had what was an ancient "classic" car, which she literally couldn't drive - she wasn't particularly dangerous but very slow and ponderous and completely incapable of doing things any differently to how she'd been driving for decades - no matter how many times and how many different observers went out with her, she just couldn't do anything differently, she wanted to, it wasn't her being stroppy or arrogant etc., but she just couldn't remember when/how to do anything different and basically just drove on muscle memory.

Anecdote isn't evidence.

Tell that to the insurance company.

Yes indeed, engine braking is good for the car, as long as you stay in the same gear whilst doing it, i.e. change gear only once you've slowed down.

But purposely changing down through the gears deliberately to slow down is putting immense stress/pressure/wear and tear on the clutch and gearbox and should be avoided.

Yes, I know some driving instructors teach it that way, but that's really for just slow speeds and is an aid to instruction mostly for getting accustomed to changing gears really. It's not advised nor encouraged for "proper" driving.

You won't fail your normal driving test by braking to slow down or stop rather than changing down through the gears to do the same. You're only potential advisory would be if you didn't depress your clutch as you coast to a stop and end up kangarooing!