This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- How do i get more confident driving?
- Golf R or M140i
- New grad job but parents won’t let me drive, help!
- Ritchie123's New car Thread
- AA suggest new drivers should not carry Under 21s as passengers
- Seeking Guidance: Preparing for a Written Policy Exercise
- Unpopular Opinions
- Northern Irish students moving to England/Scotland/Wales
- Driving theory test
- UK equivelant of American cities...
- *deleted*
- Telecommunications engineer job with "Provisional" licence?
- Edexcel higher maths gcse question
- A14 lane closed ahead
- history source question
- history source question
- Taking your Car to University (First Year)
- First Car
- Issues with jobs because I cannot drive
- BBO 2023 solutions
Why can't British people drive on motorways?
Why don't British people seem to know how to drive on motorways? Is motorway driving not a part of the driving couse and test?
I'm foreign myself and have driven in a lot of countries. When it comes to driving on motorways, I find the UK to be the worst.
It's like if people didn't know that you are supposed to gather towards the left lane when all the others are empty. Sometimes you see that when the motorway is empty at night, people drive in the middle rather than on the left.
Sometimes you see the far right lane completely blocked while the other two are nearly empty. This causes danger as I have to overtake from the right side..
It also happens very often that I'm on the far right lane, and there is someone front of me, and only until I start flashing my lights they get out of the way when there is space on the left too, and they can clearly see there is someone behind them.
Why are there so many lane hoggers in the UK?
I'm foreign myself and have driven in a lot of countries. When it comes to driving on motorways, I find the UK to be the worst.
It's like if people didn't know that you are supposed to gather towards the left lane when all the others are empty. Sometimes you see that when the motorway is empty at night, people drive in the middle rather than on the left.
Sometimes you see the far right lane completely blocked while the other two are nearly empty. This causes danger as I have to overtake from the right side..
It also happens very often that I'm on the far right lane, and there is someone front of me, and only until I start flashing my lights they get out of the way when there is space on the left too, and they can clearly see there is someone behind them.
Why are there so many lane hoggers in the UK?
Scroll to see replies
Original post by beas132
Why don't British people seem to know how to drive on motorways? Is motorway driving not a part of the driving couse and test?
No it isn't taught.
I'm foreign myself and have driven in a lot of countries. When it comes to driving on motorways, I find the UK to be the worst.
You my friend have clearly not driven in Italy or Kenya
It's like if people didn't know that you are supposed to gather towards the left lane when all the others are empty. Sometimes you see that when the motorway is empty at night, people drive in the middle rather than on the left.
Sometimes you see the far right lane completely blocked while the other two are nearly empty. This causes danger as I have to overtake from the right side..
This is actually you being a bad driver, you should never overtake on the inside. Just yesterday a I saw a car attempting to overtake on the inside forced off the road by someone who hadn't spotted them.
It also happens very often that I'm on the far right lane, and there is someone front of me, and only until I start flashing my lights they get out of the way when there is space on the left too, and they can clearly see there is someone behind them.
Again, this is you being a bad driver. I have had people do this to me because I have been waiting to double check a car that was in my blind spot had pulled over. My usual actions would be to slow down and speed up when they go to overtake on the inside. Flashing someone and being pushy is dangerous driving and I hope everyone who does this crashes. They're always driving about 100 as well.
Why are there so many lane hoggers in the UK?
Old people usually to be honest
Or new drivers who are nervous which is fair enough
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Alfissti
UK drivers aren't the worst in Western Europe, that title goes to the French, Spaniards and Italians.
UK Motorways are among the safest in EU and even safer than the Autobahns of Germany despite the amount of traffic it carries.
UK Motorways are among the safest in EU and even safer than the Autobahns of Germany despite the amount of traffic it carries.
As a half Italian, I would say conclusively it is definitely the Italians. Driving in Italy is TERRIFYING. I didn't find France or Spain too bad.
Sunday drivers in the UK do piss me off though - the roads are always full of overcompensating blokes who love cars driving ridiculously dangerously - speeding, overtaking into oncoming traffic, overtaking on the inside, swerving in and out of traffic, braking suddenly etc. From his post I would imagine this is probably how the OP drives as well.
UK motorways are amongst the safest in the world.
If the motorway is empty then sometimes people prefer to drive down the middle lane for safety reasons because there is less chance of potholes/debris or a car suddenly pulling out in front of them from an obscured slip road. This is perfectly legal as long as they're not obstructing anyone.
If the motorway is empty then sometimes people prefer to drive down the middle lane for safety reasons because there is less chance of potholes/debris or a car suddenly pulling out in front of them from an obscured slip road. This is perfectly legal as long as they're not obstructing anyone.
Original post by beast132
Why don't British people seem to know how to drive on motorways? Is motorway driving not a part of the driving couse and test?
I'm foreign myself and have driven in a lot of countries. When it comes to driving on motorways, I find the UK to be the worst.
It's like if people didn't know that you are supposed to gather towards the left lane when all the others are empty. Sometimes you see that when the motorway is empty at night, people drive in the middle rather than on the left.
Sometimes you see the far right lane completely blocked while the other two are nearly empty. This causes danger as I have to overtake from the right side..
It also happens very often that I'm on the far right lane, and there is someone front of me, and only until I start flashing my lights they get out of the way when there is space on the left too, and they can clearly see there is someone behind them.
Why are there so many lane hoggers in the UK?
I'm foreign myself and have driven in a lot of countries. When it comes to driving on motorways, I find the UK to be the worst.
It's like if people didn't know that you are supposed to gather towards the left lane when all the others are empty. Sometimes you see that when the motorway is empty at night, people drive in the middle rather than on the left.
Sometimes you see the far right lane completely blocked while the other two are nearly empty. This causes danger as I have to overtake from the right side..
It also happens very often that I'm on the far right lane, and there is someone front of me, and only until I start flashing my lights they get out of the way when there is space on the left too, and they can clearly see there is someone behind them.
Why are there so many lane hoggers in the UK?
Which country are you from, out of interest? I tend to find driving standards in some other parts of Europe to be much worse than Britain, on average. Some places are distinctly better though.
Driving standards on UK Mways and indeed other roads have slowly deteriorated over the past 10 to 15 years. I put it down to the decline in road policing.
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
Original post by Limpopo
Driving standards on UK Mways and indeed other roads have slowly deteriorated over the past 10 to 15 years. I put it down to the decline in road policing.
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
I would add people who do not leave enough space between them and the car in front. So annoying!
Original post by Limpopo
Driving standards on UK Mways and indeed other roads have slowly deteriorated over the past 10 to 15 years. I put it down to the decline in road policing.
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
My top annoyances..
1)Mway centre lane owners club
2)Mway outside lane owners club
3)Other roads..people who force their way out of junctions
4)people who stop to let people out of junctions when it is inappropriate to do so.
5)People who speed
6)people who wont share the road and co-operate
The main problem are people who don't pay attention, people who don't communicate (indicators are not optional), and people who don't cooperate.
I don't mind people who push in/people who speed. Would rather people got on with it and got out of my way rather than dithering like idiots.
Original post by redferry
No it isn't taught.
You my friend have clearly not driven in Italy or Kenya
This is actually you being a bad driver, you should never overtake on the inside. Just yesterday a I saw a car attempting to overtake on the inside forced off the road by someone who hadn't spotted them.
Again, this is you being a bad driver. I have had people do this to me because I have been waiting to double check a car that was in my blind spot had pulled over. My usual actions would be to slow down and speed up when they go to overtake on the inside. Flashing someone and being pushy is dangerous driving and I hope everyone who does this crashes. They're always driving about 100 as well.
Old people usually to be honest
Or new drivers who are nervous which is fair enough
You my friend have clearly not driven in Italy or Kenya
This is actually you being a bad driver, you should never overtake on the inside. Just yesterday a I saw a car attempting to overtake on the inside forced off the road by someone who hadn't spotted them.
Again, this is you being a bad driver. I have had people do this to me because I have been waiting to double check a car that was in my blind spot had pulled over. My usual actions would be to slow down and speed up when they go to overtake on the inside. Flashing someone and being pushy is dangerous driving and I hope everyone who does this crashes. They're always driving about 100 as well.
Old people usually to be honest
Or new drivers who are nervous which is fair enough
I should have been more clear, I meant as in for this specific thing of motorway habits and comparing to other western civilised countries. I have driven in developing countries too..
My point concerns particularly this annoying habit people have here on the motorways and dual carriageways.
In fact, I find UK one of the best places to drive apart from this little problem. The way the traffic is structured by using a lot of roundabouts is brilliant in my opinion, and a lot better than that in many other European countries.
Yes I know, overtaking from the right is "bad driving" and illegal, but this is only my last resort if someone is blocking the third lane for no good reason.
How the hell is flashing lights making me a bad driver? again this is in the situation of someone blocking the third lane for no good reason.
"I hope everyone who does this crashes." Flashing the lights is a tool just like the indicators are.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by beast132
I should have been more clear, I meant as in for this specific thing of motorway habits and comparing to other western civilised countries. I have driven in developing countries too..
My point concerns particularly this annoying habit people have here on the motorways and dual carriageways.
In fact, I find UK one of the best places to drive apart from this little problem. The way the traffic is structured by using a lot of roundabouts is brilliant in my opinion, and a lot better than that in many other European countries.
Yes I know, overtaking from the right is "bad driving" and illegal, but this is only my last resort if someone is blocking the third lane for no good reason.
How the hell is flashing lights making me a bad driver? again this is in the situation of someone blocking the third lane for no good reason.
"I hope everyone who does this crashes." Flashing the lights is a tool just like the indicators are. I suggest you go back to making sandwiches you stupid woman and let the men do the driving.
My point concerns particularly this annoying habit people have here on the motorways and dual carriageways.
In fact, I find UK one of the best places to drive apart from this little problem. The way the traffic is structured by using a lot of roundabouts is brilliant in my opinion, and a lot better than that in many other European countries.
Yes I know, overtaking from the right is "bad driving" and illegal, but this is only my last resort if someone is blocking the third lane for no good reason.
How the hell is flashing lights making me a bad driver? again this is in the situation of someone blocking the third lane for no good reason.
"I hope everyone who does this crashes." Flashing the lights is a tool just like the indicators are. I suggest you go back to making sandwiches you stupid woman and let the men do the driving.
I sometimes do it to but only if they are on the outside lane and I can get by on the inside lane. It just isn't safe - better to slow down and be held up for a few minutes than go around the inside.
It distracts other drivers, dazzles them and can impair thir vision. It also puts pressure on them and they could pull over without checking their mirrors/blind spots fully causing a crash. You should never flash your lights at someone - I was involved in a serious crash due to just that before Christmas. I recently undertook two advanced driving courses and they made this very clear - You should never do it.
I suppose I am just a better driver than you then. You are a dangerous driver, end of story.
Original post by beast132
How the hell is flashing lights making me a bad driver? again this is in the situation of someone blocking the third lane for no good reason.
"I hope everyone who does this crashes." Flashing the lights is a tool just like the indicators are. I suggest you go back to making sandwiches you stupid woman and let the men do the driving.
"I hope everyone who does this crashes." Flashing the lights is a tool just like the indicators are. I suggest you go back to making sandwiches you stupid woman and let the men do the driving.
Because it's a breech of the Highway Code.
"Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."
If you haven't passed the test in this country and studied our laws I suggest it's you that knobs off and let us carry on with the driving.
Original post by redferry
I sometimes do it to but only if they are on the outside lane and I can get by on the inside lane. It just isn't safe - better to slow down and be held up for a few minutes than go around the inside.
It distracts other drivers, dazzles them and can impair thir vision. It also puts pressure on them and they could pull over without checking their mirrors/blind spots fully causing a crash. You should never flash your lights at someone - I was involved in a serious crash due to just that before Christmas. I recently undertook two advanced driving courses and they made this very clear - You should never do it.
I suppose I am just a better driver than you then. You are a dangerous driver, end of story.
It distracts other drivers, dazzles them and can impair thir vision. It also puts pressure on them and they could pull over without checking their mirrors/blind spots fully causing a crash. You should never flash your lights at someone - I was involved in a serious crash due to just that before Christmas. I recently undertook two advanced driving courses and they made this very clear - You should never do it.
I suppose I am just a better driver than you then. You are a dangerous driver, end of story.
Overtaking from the right is dangerous driving - I agree.
Flashing lights, I don't agree. It's much more gentle than honking, which might properly scare someone. Remember, I am flashing the lights to remind someone in front of me they are doing something wrong, and actually breaking the law it seems after googling it: http://news.sky.com/story/1129202/tailgating-and-lane-hogging-fines-in-force
Interested to hear how the hell can you crash because of someone flashing their lights?
Original post by beast132
I am flashing the lights to remind someone in front of me they are doing something wrong
And what is your authority for doing so? Are you a trained Police officer? Do you know the laws governing the motorways and A-roads of this country?
Original post by Drewski
Because it's a breech of the Highway Code.
"Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."
If you haven't passed the test in this country and studied our laws I suggest it's you that knobs off and let us carry on with the driving.
"Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."
If you haven't passed the test in this country and studied our laws I suggest it's you that knobs off and let us carry on with the driving.
Ehh.. this is exactly what I am doing?? letting the other road user in front of me know that there is someone behind them, which they do not see perhaps to not concentrating properly..
Original post by Drewski
And what is your authority for doing so? Are you a trained Police officer? Do you know the laws governing the motorways and A-roads of this country?
So with this logic, you see a girl being beaten up on the side of the street, you are not gonna do anything? Or are you a police officer? I really don't see what is your problem.
Perhaps the thread name "Why cant British people drive on motorways" was a bit too insulting, as it only applies to certain individuals. I was genuinely interested if they do not teach motorway driving in driving school or why is this issue so common here, to which I got an answer, that they actually don't.
Original post by beast132
Ehh.. this is exactly what I am doing?? letting the other road user in front of me know that there is someone behind them, which they do not see perhaps to not concentrating properly..
Because, as mentioned, it can be seen as road intimidation which would put you at risk of a citing for dangerous driving. Especially as, the odds would suggest, you're doing so after approaching them at a high speed and end up far too close.
So with this logic, you see a girl being beaten up on the side of the street, you are not gonna do anything? Or are you a police officer? I really don't see what is your problem.
Perhaps the thread name "Why cant British people drive on motorways" was a bit too insulting, as it only applies to certain individuals. I was genuinely interested if they do not teach motorway driving in driving school or why is this issue so common here, to which I got an answer, that they actually don't.
Perhaps the thread name "Why cant British people drive on motorways" was a bit too insulting, as it only applies to certain individuals. I was genuinely interested if they do not teach motorway driving in driving school or why is this issue so common here, to which I got an answer, that they actually don't.
My point is that since you are foreign and, clearly, haven't been through the DVLA's system for licenses in this country, you are not aware of the rules of the land, therefore for you to say "x is wrong" is bogus, because you don't know.
Motorways are not included on the test, because learner drivers are not allowed on them. They are allowed on A roads and dual-carriageways, however and they will be part of the test. And really, there's no difference between a busy, dual carriageway A road and a motorway, so that point of yours is entirely moot.
As others have said, and from my own personal experience, while there are always some idiots on the road (and I think we've just found out who one of them is....) the UK motorways generally have the better drivers. The crash rates are lower, the death rates are lower and that's despite them being busier. And, for the record, I've driven in North America, all across Europe, in Asia, on and off motorways and in all manners of conditions. I back the average British driver over the average from any other country by a long way.
Original post by beast132
Overtaking from the right is dangerous driving - I agree.
Flashing lights, I don't agree. It's much more gentle than honking, which might properly scare someone. Remember, I am flashing the lights to remind someone in front of me they are doing something wrong, and actually breaking the law it seems after googling it: http://news.sky.com/story/1129202/tailgating-and-lane-hogging-fines-in-force
Interested to hear how the hell can you crash because of someone flashing their lights?
Flashing lights, I don't agree. It's much more gentle than honking, which might properly scare someone. Remember, I am flashing the lights to remind someone in front of me they are doing something wrong, and actually breaking the law it seems after googling it: http://news.sky.com/story/1129202/tailgating-and-lane-hogging-fines-in-force
Interested to hear how the hell can you crash because of someone flashing their lights?
It was my bad but someone was flashing behind me for ages, I was on a horrid country road and missed the lights coming round the bend because I was dazzled. I should have waited but then hindsight is a wonderful thing, I pulled out and someone crashed into me at 60mph. I guess I was just flustered and busy trying to get out the way of the person behind me.
I don't find that people can't drive on motorways, they are chill.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
I haven't driven on the motorway since the completion of my pass plus (about two months or so ago now, haven't found a need to go on the motorway again yet), but NOTHING irritates me more than people flashing their lights at me.
A few nights ago I was driving in the dark and I had some arrogant so-and-so right up behind me with his full beams on (it felt like it, at least). I was actually unable to look into my rear view mirror because it was so dazzling, even with the anti-dazzle glass on. This was on a normal main road, too. Also on an A road for a little while.
At the end of the day if you are getting up behind people like that and flashing your lights, you're most likely dazzling the other driver. YOU are therefore a dangerous driver and a threat to others on the road.
So don't do it, unless the situation calls for, as a previous poster mentioned. Why is that so hard to understand? Surely your driving instructor / whoever taught you mentioned that it is dangerous to flash people with your lights because it can dazzle them?
EDIT: & The reason most drivers flash me is because I drive at the 30mph speed limit which is found and enforced on most roads in my area. My insurance means that I cannot actually go above the speed limit, therefore making me a safer driver!
A few nights ago I was driving in the dark and I had some arrogant so-and-so right up behind me with his full beams on (it felt like it, at least). I was actually unable to look into my rear view mirror because it was so dazzling, even with the anti-dazzle glass on. This was on a normal main road, too. Also on an A road for a little while.
At the end of the day if you are getting up behind people like that and flashing your lights, you're most likely dazzling the other driver. YOU are therefore a dangerous driver and a threat to others on the road.
So don't do it, unless the situation calls for, as a previous poster mentioned. Why is that so hard to understand? Surely your driving instructor / whoever taught you mentioned that it is dangerous to flash people with your lights because it can dazzle them?
EDIT: & The reason most drivers flash me is because I drive at the 30mph speed limit which is found and enforced on most roads in my area. My insurance means that I cannot actually go above the speed limit, therefore making me a safer driver!
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by lfmox
I haven't driven on the motorway since the completion of my pass plus (about two months or so ago now, haven't found a need to go on the motorway again yet), but NOTHING irritates me more than people flashing their lights at me.
A few nights ago I was driving in the dark and I had some arrogant so-and-so right up behind me with his full beams on (it felt like it, at least). I was actually unable to look into my rear view mirror because it was so dazzling, even with the anti-dazzle glass on. This was on a normal main road, too. Also on an A road for a little while.
At the end of the day if you are getting up behind people like that and flashing your lights, you're most likely dazzling the other driver. YOU are therefore a dangerous driver and a threat to others on the road.
So don't do it, unless the situation calls for, as a previous poster mentioned. Why is that so hard to understand? Surely your driving instructor / whoever taught you mentioned that it is dangerous to flash people with your lights because it can dazzle them?
EDIT: & The reason most drivers flash me is because I drive at the 30mph speed limit which is found and enforced on most roads in my area. My insurance means that I cannot actually go above the speed limit, therefore making me a safer driver!
A few nights ago I was driving in the dark and I had some arrogant so-and-so right up behind me with his full beams on (it felt like it, at least). I was actually unable to look into my rear view mirror because it was so dazzling, even with the anti-dazzle glass on. This was on a normal main road, too. Also on an A road for a little while.
At the end of the day if you are getting up behind people like that and flashing your lights, you're most likely dazzling the other driver. YOU are therefore a dangerous driver and a threat to others on the road.
So don't do it, unless the situation calls for, as a previous poster mentioned. Why is that so hard to understand? Surely your driving instructor / whoever taught you mentioned that it is dangerous to flash people with your lights because it can dazzle them?
EDIT: & The reason most drivers flash me is because I drive at the 30mph speed limit which is found and enforced on most roads in my area. My insurance means that I cannot actually go above the speed limit, therefore making me a safer driver!
People even flash me for droving above the speed limit. You can never go fast enough for these people. The day of my crash I was going 50 mph on windy country lanes and they were still flashing me to pull over! Any faster would have been really dangerous!!! Then Sunday I had someone flash me to pull over when going 85+ in the outside lane of the motorway, despite the fact there was no safe gap for me to pull into! When I did reach a gap as I was about to pull over they went down my inside, of course I wasn't having that and sped up and they were happy enough to start driving over 100, causing them to almost crash into the car in front and still fail to undertake me.
These people are all knobs and should be banned from driving. You shouldn't even flash people to let them through really as it can cause a crash if someone else thinks you are flashing at them.
Related discussions
- How do i get more confident driving?
- Golf R or M140i
- New grad job but parents won’t let me drive, help!
- Ritchie123's New car Thread
- AA suggest new drivers should not carry Under 21s as passengers
- Seeking Guidance: Preparing for a Written Policy Exercise
- Unpopular Opinions
- Northern Irish students moving to England/Scotland/Wales
- Driving theory test
- UK equivelant of American cities...
- *deleted*
- Telecommunications engineer job with "Provisional" licence?
- Edexcel higher maths gcse question
- A14 lane closed ahead
- history source question
- history source question
- Taking your Car to University (First Year)
- First Car
- Issues with jobs because I cannot drive
- BBO 2023 solutions
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 month ago
What happens if you accidentally drive your car with no road tax or motLast reply 1 month ago
I've been arrested for drink driving, quick question pleaseLast reply 1 month ago
Should drivers have an assessment/test after a certain age?Last reply 2 months ago
I got into a car accident and didn't report it to my insurance