CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Mind the gap: motorway tailgating on increase"
(11 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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If only it was possible to find the results on Brakes' website like they promise in their press release we could see if they ever, at any point, define tailgating or if they just leave it up to respondents to define it for themselves. Still, with a sample of 942, the increase of 4% from seven years ago is undoubtedly well within the confidence intervals of the survey and, therefore, no difference at all.
Posted 13 years ago # -
More interesting are, again, the commenters. It's not the fault of the tailgaters, but people who refuse to move over from the right hand lane. Now. I've encountered this plenty. But I can't say it ever forced me to tailgate or undertake...
"Tailgating is wrong, but it happens for a reason. If you are tailgated on a motorway, moving over to let the vehicle behind you pass solves the problem instantly"
Mind you, there is one point made about lane discipline in Germany being better. If it's anything like France I can believe it. They may be nuts drivers at time, but if the left hand lane is clear then they are driving in it.
Posted 13 years ago # -
THere is no doubt that if you are on the motorway and leave the correct braking distance between you and the next car then someone will cut into that space. There is no justification for this but it is very widespread.
Posted 13 years ago # -
It's more than widespread, it's the norm. Observe the city bypass and you will struggle to see any safe gaps maintained. I remember once driving in the slow lane there and trying to maintain a safe distance in front the lorry behind was flashing and threatening to ram me.
Combined with the commonplace speeding, it makes these type of roads somewhat stressful for those wishing to drive safely.
Posted 13 years ago # -
For me, tailgaters are more common than lane hoggers.
Posted 13 years ago # -
am too busy on my phone, eating fish suppers or cooking spaghetti hoops to look in my trucks mirrors to see if anyone tailgates me !
Lane disipline in this country is appauling !( bit like my spelling !)middle lane huggers travelling at 45 mph, I cant travel in the outside(3rd) lane, and people dont realise when lane markings change I can sometimes ,legally,"undertake"so then they get all aggrivated and shouty, but i refer to the first sentence of my post ! lol :)
People also have no idea about the stopping distance of these things, and the size of braking spaces required, they just jump in and inevitably slow down to give them the space they need !Posted 13 years ago # -
Not sure about tailgating but as someone who gets lifts with a variety of different people I think it is pretty unusual to find a driver who doesn't just stay in the outside lane for ages after overtaking even when the inside lane is completely clear.
Last time I drove up north, it was noticable how many drivers were not even leaving the lane to overtake me, ie driving EXTREMELY close.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Now this might be a slight topic wandering but, sometimes, if I can see/feel a vehicle close behind me, or not so close, and they can clearly not ,wont overtake me, cause of on coming traffic or street furniture (hate that term !) I sometimes will wave them past and just hop onto the pavement, obviously when no ones on it !It generally results in multiple happies and little risk to all.I know that its not legall, but then I also do it in the lorry, well not driving on pavements but pulling into laybuys etc, up north, A9 sort of thing . Am I too nice ?I have also, jumped onto pavements, road side areas to allow vehicles restricted at narrowing points to allow safe passage for all ! Common sense or stupid?
scottPosted 13 years ago # -
Nothing wrong with being considerate and pulling over to let someone past on bike or in lorry, I do it myself though it is hardly ever necessary for me as I don't really find myself actually blocking anyone much except on single track roads. I wouldn't go on the pavement to do it but I bet that messes with drivers heads!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Ooh, meant to say. The drivers I know who stay in the outside lane after overtaking only ever pull over when they eventualy notice themselves being tailgated by another driver wanting to overtake. I wonder if this might be causing the increase?! Though as Insto has noticed, it is not really much of an increase.
Posted 13 years ago #
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