Overtaking Etiquette

[gaz7560]

This is what the highway code says

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_070309

not sure whether this clarifys or confuses the issue!!

[James.uk]

Basically the consensus seems to be:- Ignore etiquette, just use your common sense..
...

[Graham E]

You will normally find most drivers drive at 40 mph in national speed limit roads (60mph) because they don't know that it is 60mph.

If it is safe to overtake then overtake but think of overtaking like flying a plane.

You don't take off if it is not safe and if you do then you need a safe place to land.
If you overtake make sure you have a safe place to come back in.

At the end of the day I have one mission and that is to get myself and any passengers to my / our destination safely.

Better late than never.

[Dragrad]

What's the problem ? Dawdling along at 40-60mph...... I'm in a 75.... there's no rush

My problem with dawdlers are tractor drivers at 22mph...... passing every lay-by with a mile of traffic behind them!!

40- 60 mph..... stroll in the park

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by Graham E

Better late than never.

Better late than late !!

[Dave***t]

Originally Posted by Graham E

You will normally find most drivers drive at 40 mph in national speed limit roads (60mph) because they don't know that it is 60mph.

I assume you're referring purely to single carriageway roads?

While I agree with the 'don't be silly' sentiments expressed in the thread, I have to admit that drivers apparently being unaware of speed limits annoys/alarms me, because I see it as indicative of a general lack of awareness of what they're doing.

Driving slowly (yet hopefully considerately) because you want/need to is fine, but driving slowly because you aren't competent enough to look at the signs along the side of the road, or don't know what they mean, is worrying.

[Roverowner]

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Yes I know several officers that have done drivers for "Driving without due care and attention" by going way under the maximum speed limit.
If you are causing a tailback you can quite easily get booked.

In the states this is a common booking offence for travelling to slowly and causing a jam.

My brother has done that on occasion. Emphisis on -way under the max speed- Doing 40 in a 60 zone isn´t really in that catagory. Why do people think that one has to always drive at the max speed limit If people would just calm down a bit it would all work a lot better. "Frantically going.......nowhere"

[superdavid]

I drive on A roads pretty much every day and the only thing i can say is enjoy a clear road whilst you can, not many drivers do 60 on these anymore.

The thing i do find that annoys me is when someone potters along at 35/40 mph on a 60 road then as soon as sign for say 40 is up they do 50.

[Zeb]

Where we live my kids call anything more than three cars in a row a 'traffic jam'...

But then we have no Motorways, only a few bits of dual carriageway really and a lot of 'B' roads that, in Lincolnshire, are identified as 'A' roads for some reason..

That said, in the summer we get a lot of holiday makers doing the 'let's overtake 8 cars in a row routine'...in spite of the fact that they don't know the roads and remain blissfully unaware that a six foot dyke full of water kills just as readily as your average oak tree..

On that point, slightly OT I know but, how many drivers coming to the fens carry a hammer / seatbelt cutter in their car? We have had a number of drownings in the dykes simply because car electrics don't tend to work so well under water.....

Occasionally, cars and drivers may not be found for a day or two after disappearing down a dyke...

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Dave***t

drivers apparently being unaware of speed limits annoys/alarms me,

An admission along those lines is totally unacceptable and would, in my view, be an acceptable basis for a careless driving prosecution with consideration being given, if pleading or found guilty, of a requirement to re-take the driving test.

However, I suspect that the great majority of those who travel below the speed limit actually choose to do so