i love driving roads i know well in a slow car, masses of planning for an overtake then go for it or abort after sling shotting round a corner onto a straight

 

I just read that in a survey 33% of people didn't know what the NSL was.
That's a hell of a lot, But I actually expect that if the net was widened from that 2500 selection it'd be a hell of a lot more than that.

 

Go on tell us!
I think I have an idea

 

I hate it when there is a line of vehicles behind a slow moving vehicle with no one prepared to overtake but not prepared to leave a gap between the vehicle in front to allow easier overtaking by vehicles coming up behind!

 

most dont overtake for fear of police cameras. Speed cameras have made us into a nation of dithering, nervous idiots.

 

Not a particular problem up here, but what seems to be getting worse is the small gaps left between vehicles waiting in a queue.

I don't mind slow traffic and no overtaking provided there are gaps left for those that wish to overtake, but they still seem happy to sit bumper to bumper while their body language is such that you can clearly see they have no intention of overtaking.

This is one of the reasons why I use my bike almost all the time on long journeys where single carriage ways are involved - you don't need nearly as much of a gap to drop into after an overtake, and people are much more likely to give you room when you do.

 

What I don't understand is if the driver behind is so close to the rear of the car in front trying to intimidate them, why not overtake in the first place? Either people are unwilling to overtake, lack the skill to perform the manoeuvre or just don't plan ahead. I will admit that overtaking is an acquired skill and unless you have a really fast car, it isn't as easy as people think but when a faster car is behind a slower car on an open road with no on-coming traffic then why don't these drivers overtake? In the past, I even overtook a marked Police car which was travelling at 45mph in a 60 zone. The only time I won't bother overtaking is if the road ahead is busy, I just don't see the point.

My drive home from work utilises some really nice A-roads and it amazes me to see how many drivers refuse to perform even the most simple of overtakes. During one week on the same stretch of open road, three times cars refused to overtake slower moving vehicles yet did not leave gaps in the traffic for faster drivers to use. What this means is rather than overtake one car at a time I have to overtake all of them in one fell swoop. On two occasions I had to overtake two cars and the last time I needed to do three and some of these cars weren't slow cars.

The most annoying thing about overtaking is when you are overtaking a car and they decide to speed up, why not drive faster in the first place. Besides, it doesn't do them any good because my car accelerates faster than theirs and what other drivers need to realise is I know overtaking them probably won't get me to my destination any quicker but what it means is I don't have to drive behind another slow driver. I prefer a clear road ahead of me regardless of my speed because that way I know some idiot driver in front isn't going to do something stupid, that will be left to me.

 

with everything everyone has said.

In my g/f's old 72bhp 1.2 clio, I used to overtake most.

I'd be 7/8 cars back all stuck behind a lorry.
i'd be the 1st one past it.

I think Nick is spot on though - Overtaking is a skill.

And those, like us who complain, are nonchalant about the skill, planning and vision it requires to do so.

I know this because the majority of Joe Pulic that do try it...

Hesitate.

Hesitate some more

Sit there half pulled out hesitating

Look at hesitating, but then select the wrong gear to be in for the overtake (usually 3rd instead of 2nd).

One last bit of hesitation to make sure the oncoming traffic is really close to hitting them.

Then they overtake.

But I have noticed a new trend amongst the non-concentrating sheep of the road - the panic when the see you overtaking.

This forces them to jerk the wheel, slam on the brakes, even swerve into you.
And then they flash you.

But they are right - how rude of me to wake them up from their daydream.

 

Of course, when overtaking, plan ahead so as not to cross any solid white lines

 

Indeed.

Again, see afore mentioned "I'm doing 35 in a 60 zone...OH NO, someone is overtaking...and there is a cop car in a junction...I don't know what to do???? how about I....BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAKE!!!!!"

Lots of overtake!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avg5pzoOGxY