[Travel] Has the general standard of driving gone down since Covid

[Flounce]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

 

[METALMICKY]

And the link to post covid is what?

 

[BN9 BHA]

I was thinking of starting a thread about the link below, I have seen a couple of videos on Twitter recently of young drivers inhaling Nitrous Oxide balloons and getting behind the wheel. Hope this isn’t some sort of craze, very worrying.

Laughing gas 100mph crash driver jailed for killing friends

Friends Daniel Hancock, 18, Elliot Pullen, 17, and Ethan Goddard, 18, were killed in the crash.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Flounce]

And the link to post covid is what?

None, just an observation in my opinion

 

[dazzer6666]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

Definitely getting worse, but nothing obviously linking it to Covid.

They could also stop fitting indicators to most cars now, no-one seems to use them.

 

[Flounce]

Definitely getting worse, but nothing obviously linking it to Covid.

They could also stop fitting indicators to most cars now, no-one seems to use them.

That will stop with post July 24 cars, don’t indicate and the car will pull you back Into the lane that you are in, unless you turn it off every time you start the car.

 

[Eeyore]

Have to be the upstream swimmer here and say that I didn't drive between 2006 and 2018. When I started again I noticed how calmer the roads seem to be. I put it down to speed cameras and that type of thing.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

Nope. I guess you're just getting older. I drive a fair bit and haven't noticed it getting worse.

 

[nevergoagain]

Surprised it hasn't been linked to Brexit by some.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Think it's just because I've just started driving more regularly to be honest. Apologies.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Bigger the car, the worse the driving.

Possibly because they think they are invulnerable in a bigger tin can.

 

[Flounce]

Bigger the car, the worse the driving.

Possibly because they think they are invulnerable in a bigger tin can.

Or don’t make allowances because they have no clue about the width of the behemoth they are driving.

 

[Mustafa II]

I think there are too many old people on the road these days, who drive too slowly, are too hesitant, or are outright dangerous - not fully aware of their surroundings. They seem to be the leading cause of congestion, and dangerous driving, in my experience, and I do a lot of driving.

This in turn has led to people becoming increasingly impatient, myself included. I will overtake them (where safe) if for example they are unable to go more than 35mph on a 60, causing a giant tailback behind them. And I'm probably one of the people who is confident on roundabouts and does not need it to be COMPLETELY clear as the nervous or older drivers seem to need it to be. I only need a small gap, and that's fine.

 

[Flounce]

I think there are too many old people on the road these days, who drive too slowly, are too hesitant, or are outright dangerous - not fully aware of their surroundings. They seem to be the leading cause of congestion, and dangerous driving, in my experience, and I do a lot of driving.

This in turn has led to people becoming increasingly impatient, myself included. I will overtake them (where safe) if for example they are unable to go more than 35mph on a 60, causing a giant tailback behind them. And I'm probably one of the people who is confident on roundabouts and does not need it to be COMPLETELY clear as the nervous or older drivers seem to need it to be. I only need a small gap, and that's fine.

There is a massive difference between being confident and driving dangerously. I am guessing you are one of those who don’t make allowances for the fact that other drivers might be dicks. I am quite old but NEVER drive at 35 in a 60 limit except in thick fog. No doubt, you’ll confidently whizz past me at 60 regardless

I have met very very few drivers who don’t think that they‘re good drivers either. My wife being the exception, she used to be an excellent driver but a couple of years ago lost confidence and stated that she’d not be driving any more, and hasn’t.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

Please don't get me started....
OK thanks I will.
I've been trained as a professional driver and have taken advanced courses also, so it really grits my

Up here we have....
1. The drivers that cannot be assed to turn around at the next junction or roundabout, but decide to pull out of their parking bay, after someone has let them out and then they decide to do a 3 point turn and go the other way.
2. Drivers that don't stop at crossing and then wave at you as an apology.
3. SUV drivers that tailgate others to try and intimidate them to go faster.
4. The drivers that nearly miss the M4 turn off going north on the M25 and proceed to cut every car up and drive over the white chevrons. If you've missed yr junction carry onto the next one, ie M40 and turn around.
5. Drivers who park next to you in a car park and give you space that even a hobbit would struggle to get through.


I could go on....

 

[Rdodge30]

Surprised it hasn't been linked to Brexit by some.

Oh he will when he sees it

 

[AmexRuislip]

I think there are too many old people on the road these days, who drive too slowly, are too hesitant, or are outright dangerous - not fully aware of their surroundings. They seem to be the leading cause of congestion, and dangerous driving, in my experience, and I do a lot of driving.

Prescription windscreens is the answer.
Although you might have a massive pair of eyes driving at you.

 

[Mackenzie]

Or am I just getting too old to drive?

I am shocked at the risks drivers take on roundabouts and the speed they go around them and go for gaps which are “just”

Impatience and intolerance along with a mostly (not everyone obviously) lack of consideration for other road users, not letting cars filter in or blocking roundabouts when not able to go anywhere, stopping those that can.

Big f*** off SUVs going round bends at speed with two wheels over the white line and young drivers going at too high a speed around corners on country lanes

Picking the wrong lane on roundabouts and then just drifting across with no warning

Making no allowances for fog or rain and not slowing down in adverse conditions

I am banging on aren’t I? But it does concern me that it may be me that’s now out of step

Teslas have taken over from BMW and Audi drivers for driving like ****s imo

Rant over

Thoughts?

I agree.

 

[Mustafa II]

There is a massive difference between being confident and driving dangerously. I am guessing you are one of those who don’t make allowances for the fact that other drivers might be dicks. I am quite old but NEVER drive at 35 in a 60 limit except in thick fog. No doubt, you’ll confidently whizz past me at 60 regardless

I have a good record 150,000+ miles in all conditions without an accident, having taken several advanced driving courses in a previous job.

The best thing you can do is assume ALL drivers will do something completely unpredictable and if you take precautions for that you will minimise what is the most likely cause of an accident for a competent driver.

The near misses I have encountered have ALL been due to old people. Stopping suddenly, driving dangerously slowly, hesitating for no reason at junctions or roundabouts... I've even seen one going the wrong way down a one way street

 

[Flounce]

Please don't get me started....
OK thanks I will.
I've been trained as a professional driver and have taken advanced courses also, so it really grits my

Up here we have....
1. The drivers that cannot be assed to turn around at the next junction or roundabout, but decide to pull out of their parking bay, after someone has let them out and then they decide to do a 3 point turn and go the other way.
2. Drivers that don't stop at crossing and then wave at you as an apology.
3. SUV drivers that tailgate others to try and intimidate them to go faster.
4. The drivers that nearly miss the M4 turn off going north on the M25 and proceed to cut every car up and drive over the white chevrons. If you've missed yr junction carry onto the next one, ie M40 and turn around.
5. Drivers who park next to you in a car park and give you space that even a hobbit would struggle to get through.


I could go on....

All true