Letter: Have driving standards slipped?
How the standard of driving has dropped since I passed my test.
Manners in general have somehow been shoved in the rubbish bin.
Three points to highlight are: The latest letter in this column regarding a person’s negative comment about not allowing other vehicles to join the motorway via the slip road.
Indicating, with one breath, that the latter should ‘quite rightly’ speed up prior to joining the main carriageway, then stating that they should slow down and wait until the lane is clear, does not make sense.
It does no harm to move over into the centre lane when clear and safe to do so. To be awkward and remain in the slow lane can be equally as dangerous.
Secondly, a caution to the driver who nearly wrote my car off today in the Telford area when they swung in front of me.
Because her lane was blocked, the lady in the silver Astra, in Queensway, Telford, suddenly and without warning, pulled across ‘rally-style’ in front of me at 60mph while she talked to her female passenger, then moved back once she had overtaken said vehicle and turned off at the slip road.
Thirdly, the lady who drove over the mini roundabout on the Wrekin Retail Park coming from the direction of Tesco when I had clearly indicated that I was turning right and had right of way.
She obviously had no common sense and her male passenger who put his two fingers up when I hooted my horn has no brain.
All I can say is, mate, I would have more then welcomed you following me.
I say to these people and others who may read this letter, I sincerely hope that no-one is seriously hurt or, worse still, killed because of the way that some of you drive out there.
P Jones
Shifnal
Comments for: "Letter: Have driving standards slipped?"
Drone
"Pulled across 'rally-style'". What does that mean? Was her passenger actually a co-driver reading pace notes?
Roger
Driving standards are not really the issue. The percentage of bad drivers has not changed. What has changed is the number of cars on the road, the improved quality of the cars, the dependence of cars in our life styles, congestion, delays and the number of journeys.
Now the bad driver is really, really bad; he can operate at higher speeds, with better road holding in a more congested world so affecting more drivers with his behaviour. For all gender references please read as male or female.
But to me the biggest change is the level of hurry and aggression behind this apparent increase in bad driving which seems to affect us all. I have seen the most gentle and mild people turn into animals in bouts of road rage in circumstances where defensive driving and a shrug of disbelief are more appropriate. What's worse is how wide spread it is becoming. Are they putting something in the water?? It's even creeping into "Letters to the Editor"
bob
I was puzzled by a chap who was on my side, overtaking a lorry. Whilst I am used to these close calls in South Shropshire, keep calm and learn to slow down, he proceeded to put his middle finger up at me as he missed me by inches to get back to his side.
Not angry, just puzzled, trying to figure out what I have done to cause such a rude gesture...
Kelly
The frustration and aggression in people's lives is carried onto the roads. You also find those who have inherited money/property/family business think they are better than everybody else because they drive black or white Range Rovers paid for by their parents.
The Original Jake
Would you like ketchup with that massive chip?
H. St. John Peasbody
People like you are as bad, if not worse, than the people who you are prejudiced against.
grumpy old man
"The percentage of bad drivers has not changed. What has changed is the number of cars on the road, the improved quality of the cars, the dependence of cars in our life styles, congestion, delays and the number of journeys"
I beg to differ, roger. When I passed my test nearly 40 years ago, very few drivers failed to indicate at every junction/roundabout. These days the ones that do indicate or indicate correctly are definately in the minority.
Roger
When I learnt to drive the mini roundabout had not been invented, Shropshire had no dual carriage way. The nearest motorway was nearly 100 miles away. Dawley was a new town and Sutton Hill was a site hut. The MOT had not been invented and cars were unstable, amateurishly maintained and many where in danger of collapse if hit. Windscreen washers were not fitted. Wipers were vacuum operated and stopped if you accelerated, and heaters were optional extras. Tyres were changed when they got so thin they burst or split. Indicators were by semaphore and headlights were a very poor 6v 40w I don't think Shrewsbury had any traffic lights at all.
Life was slower and people were more polite. The driving was more considerate and defensive and speeds over 70MPH were impossible for most cars. It was safer because the first danger was your own car's capability and there were not as many others about to conflict with. The roads and cars made a trip to the coast a major undertaking with no chance of a return journey same day. The train or coaches were for day trips with early starts and late returns. It was simply not the same thing as today and impossible to compare, but road hog was already in the vocabulary.
Johnboy
I agree that standards are slipping, some driver don't bother to indicate and there is a growing culture of overtaking while vehicles are coming in the opposite direction (A5 Shrewsbury to Oswestry) which must be one of the most dangerous things on the road given that the speeds are 60mph ish, it's strange I never see it anywhere else in the country.
By the way there is no such thing as a slow lane on a motorway, crawler lanes occasionally, they are all 70mph, the 2 offside lanes are both overtaking lanes.
H. St. John Peasbody
My particular irritants at present are:
1. Drivers not indicating or failing to indicate correctly on roundabouts.
2. Drivers who intend to exit a dual carriageway / motorway and approach the slip road in the 2nd or 3rd lane and then cut up drivers in lane one as they exit across them, usually at high speed.
3. Drivers who insist on sitting in lane 2 on Queensway even when it isn't a filtered section. For example, many drivers heading south on Queensway from Trench Lock will get into lane 2 at Trench Lock and stay there despite the filter lane for the Greyhound Interchange not starting for 2 miles! And then they drive at 40-50mph resulting in those who wish to travel at the permitted 60mph performing under-taking.
The Original Jake
I'm 100% with you on point 3. The road signs don't help, they urge people to get in lane much too early.
Lee
The standard of driving is of a very poor standard, brought on by arrogant Taxi drivers who think they own the road because they're on it all day, Asians who think they can get away with bad driving driving by claiming either rascism or 'it was my cousin not me', Rich people in high performance cars who keep their lights on in the day because it make them look like eyes which to me is meant to make drivers in front feel uneasy just because their car is bigger and better, also there's the usual non-indicators, drivers who cannot seem to read road signs that read 'no entry', tailgators and mobile phone users at the wheel.....All I can say is show some respect to others!!
The Original Jake
Those headlights are called daytime running lights and as of 7th February 2011 became mandatory fittings on all new type approved vehicles.
H. St. John Peasbody
Reference the comment about rich people in high performance cars leaving their lights on all day: you will find that it is now a legal requirement that all new cars in the EU have daytime running lights and that is what these are. They cannot be turned off and are automatically on when the engine is running. They are intimidating though, particularly the ones on Audis. Indeed Audi drivers are the "new" BMW drivers....
Telford Steve
Not all of us.
DP
This discussion has been going on for some time now with many different opinions on what is or is not good / bad driving. This tells me that everyone on the road drives how they want believing that they are correct and that someone else is to blame.
I make mistakes or bad judgements on the road, however this is very different to causing potentially fatal incidents just because you "believe" your journey is more important.
This is not a personal response just an observation on the theme - H. St. John Peasbody - You have identified some good points in 1 and 2, however, in response to point number 3 - the 60mph is a maximum speed and not a drive at speed so if someone is driving at 40mph - 50mph then so what, this may be the speed that the driver feels comfortable driving at, they may have young children in the car etc, but that doesn't matter does it, just drive at 60mph regardless. Do not undertake and potentially cause an accident, try leaving earlier and getting to your destination a more relaxed person. You will probably reply to this post with a rant because I am pointing out your fault, because yes - you guessed it - everyone thinks they are right.
roadrunner
But DP, Peasbody is correct, in the fact that they shouldn't hog the second lane, whether they are travelling at the limit or 40MPH...it's nothing to do with how confident, they may or not feel, it's about rules off the road...STAY LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING
H. St. John Peasbody
Also, if on your driving test, you drove at 40mph on a road with a 60mph limit, you'd fail your driving test for failing to keep up with the flow of traffic.
And reference DP's comment where he claims to have pointed out my fault : what fault? I don't undertake. I mentioned that some people might do so in the circumstances I outlined.
Telford Steve
Apart from all the earlier points made, what really bugs me are people that when stationary at lights or a junction instead of using the handbrake insist on keeping their foot on the brake and blinding the poor sod behind them.
DP
Your point is very valid, and I agree always stay left unless over taking, however, what you have mentioned is very typical of drivers who don't really understand the rules of the road -and in the fear of repeating myself - the speed limit is 60mph, if there was a minimum speed the relevant road sign would be in place. Yes it may be frustrating for you, but who do you think will go to work and moan for an hour to work mates that there was someone in front of them driving within the speed limit . . . don't let it get to you, arrive relaxed.
The problem, and question is, when is it right to get into the right hand lane on a dual carriage way when turning right at the island? If there is a lot of traffic and you get into the right hand lane early then people behind will enevitably try to undertake or tail-gate to try to push you along, if you wait until you are close to the island then people will not let you in and accuse you of trying to queue jump . . . no-win for the driver who is taking care
l..Preece
I have no answer to the debate but I've always thought it would be wonderful if we could splat bad drivers' cars with a paintball gun (well, perhaps a little softer version) full of washable paint.
It would certainly relieve the stress these agressive, selfish drivers cause, and give plenty of warning to other, more careful drivers.
When you see a multicoloured polka dotted car, you will know to stay well away from them until they learn to share the road a little better :)
The Original Jake
Having driven in Spain, Turkey, Greece, the USA, Barbados, Thailand and even the Cook Islands I can assure everybody that the general standard of driving in the UK is actually very good. Stop moaning and celebrate the fact that the UK has one of the best road safety records in the world.
DP
Thanks for that re-assurance - everything should be ok now that we know other countries have worse drivers, and I will not moan one more time about being tail-gated, undertaken, cut-up or made to swerve ever again.
The Original Jake
Just playing devil's advocate. Normally I'm a keen partaker in the national pastime that is moaning about everybody else on the road.
DP
I am just playing up - sorry.
I too have driven all over the world and have to agree that we do in the main drive with care in the UK. My comments come from trying to make a point that there are millions of people on the road and what you or I think is irresponsible driving others may say is responsible. Also, one thing most people agree on is that there are a wreckless few who have a profound impact on other peoples lives through there neglect and disregard for other road users. I am not a saint on the road, but I do try to acknowledge my errors, just like many other drivers.
roadrunner
"The problem, and question is, when is it right to get into the right hand lane on a dual carriage way when turning right at the island? "
DP, the only real answer to this comes with experience, whereby you will learn to know when the best oportunity to enter the right lane is. One bit of advise though, if you are in the right lane doing 40MPH with a longline of cars behind you and nothing in front of you, you are probably either in the wrong lane at that point or going too slow for that lane and you should pull over to the left until it is appropriate to enter the right hand lane.
DP
The ironic thing is that I agree with you and I would pull over, my point is that other drivers may not and this is where we need to exercise patience where possible and don't add to the growing number of incidents on the road from impatience and "forced" bad driving