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Post by PG on Jun 2, 2021 16:00:32 GMT
I do really think the general standard of driving has deteriorated badly over the past year. And people seem to have become more aggressive on the road. I was listening to R2 today while doing some farm jobs and every traffic report had lists of accidents on the motorways or main roads and hence super long tailbacks. It's people's first half term where they can go away and clearly a lot of people have forgotten how to drive.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2021 17:47:59 GMT
There is generally a lot of twattish behaviour around, attacking ambulance crews out to help their assailant ffs! Not sure if people are really devolving or if they are just arseholes but there is certainly more to it.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 3, 2021 9:46:26 GMT
I found that even different colours of the same car seemed to invoke different reactions in people. The black MX-5s occasionally got negative reactions whilst the silver and platinum never did. The ZT260 was a great "lane clearer", probably like Alf finds with the XFR. I didn't drive any differently but other drivers seemed to move over more readily.
The incident the other day had been coming, I think. I've had a recent spate of experiences of oncoming drivers straying slightly over the white line whilst looking down - presumably at their phones. Just shows you have to expect the unexpected.
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Post by Martin on Jun 3, 2021 9:56:28 GMT
I found that even different colours of the same car seemed to invoke different reactions in people. The black MX-5s occasionally got negative reactions whilst the silver and platinum never did. The ZT260 was a great "lane clearer", probably like Alf finds with the XFR. I didn't drive any differently but other drivers seemed to move over more readily. The incident the other day had been coming, I think. I've had a recent spate of experiences of oncoming drivers straying slightly over the white line whilst looking down - presumably at their phones. Just shows you have to expect the unexpected. I expected people to react poorly to the Boxster with it being bright red, but the only issue was the occasional 'interest' that Lindsay got as a 30yr old blonde driving a sportscar, but nothing else negative and lots of positive thumbs up / nice car mate etc. It was a good lane clearer as well. I was expecting some negativity towards a gas guzzling SUV, but I've not noticed anything at all. Maybe that's because I'm mainly wafting rather than pressing on, which does seem to wind a lot of people up? Despite being in a nice subtle colour, the Golf gets regular attention....all you have to do is slowly cruise past something like an M140i (they are the most likely to react, as are 'sporty' Fiat 500s for some reason) on a dual carriageway and there is a high chance they will pull out behind you and try to goad you into a race, or pull alongside you at the next roundabout. I just let them get on with it 99% of the time....well, maybe a bit less than that, but not much.
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Post by Tim on Jun 3, 2021 13:21:16 GMT
I think Range Rovers are viewed differently from X5s, etc. and less likely to be treated like a tosser. Unless they've black with tints and matching wheels of course in which case they're guaranteed to be a tosser.
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Post by Martin on Jun 3, 2021 13:33:47 GMT
I think Range Rovers are viewed differently from X5s, etc. and less likely to be treated like a tosser. Unless they've black with tints and matching wheels of course in which case they're guaranteed to be a tosser. True!
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Post by alf on Jun 8, 2021 10:28:36 GMT
I found that even different colours of the same car seemed to invoke different reactions in people. The black MX-5s occasionally got negative reactions whilst the silver and platinum never did. The ZT260 was a great "lane clearer", probably like Alf finds with the XFR. I didn't drive any differently but other drivers seemed to move over more readily. The incident the other day had been coming, I think. I've had a recent spate of experiences of oncoming drivers straying slightly over the white line whilst looking down - presumably at their phones. Just shows you have to expect the unexpected. Interesting - I am working with Paul Ripley (the guy that was in the press a lot years back as a performance driving coach, who has become a friend) at work on this, he has set up a company importing US apps that stop people from using their phones while driving. Some read out the messages, some literally strip the apps off the UI while the vehicle is moving, so you can do nothing. It's a huge area of road safety focus currently and these apps are quite new - I'm trying to get our Telematics resellers to sell this stuff alongside our software. The problem will only get worse, with young people totally addicted to their phones now and wanting to see immediately what messages they have, and even reply - even if they are driving!
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Post by johnc on Jun 8, 2021 10:43:01 GMT
What happens to the phones of passengers in the car or what happens if you want, say your wife, to answer a call for you whilst you drive. I wouldn't want to have all lines of communication neutered just because I was driving but I do agree it is a major problem and some of the thickos behind the wheel just don't seem to get it.
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Post by alf on Jun 8, 2021 11:06:35 GMT
You have to put an app on the device and it has to be in "in policy" for that company for it to work, the products we are promoting are aimed at companies. Some can spot the presence of additional phones but they can't control them. If someone alone regularly had that alert, they'd be told to put all third party phones in airplane mode when driving, if they were by themselves.
The software lets fleet managers choose which apps are allowed when moving, and which are not. It's good stuff - no matter how much people know they should not touch their phones when driving, they still do - and will - all the studies show that. I personally place it in the box between the seats and never, ever touch it - I seem to be in the minority.
It amazes me how many people make hand-held voice calls in cars that clearly have bluetooth phone prep, let alone messaging apps.... Stand in any city centre and you can see the idiots.
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Post by Alex on Jun 8, 2021 21:15:53 GMT
Given that bluetooth has been a mainstream feature of even the most humble of models of car for a good 10 years you are right that it's surprising how many people still do it but then when you consider the lack of enforcement it becomes a bit less surprising. The fines and points are now quite punitive but the likelihood of being caught is too low for it to be a real deterrent.
As a business our driving policy states that calls on bluetooth hands free are not allowed in company cars whilst driving and a lot of people dont realise that the police can pull you for driving without due care if you are caught doing so. Are you seeing similar policies? I once did a H&S audit for a company and when I discussed this they said their travelling sales staff had to make calls whilst driving because that was the only time they had to do so!
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Post by Martin on Jun 9, 2021 6:14:06 GMT
Given that bluetooth has been a mainstream feature of even the most humble of models of car for a good 10 years you are right that it's surprising how many people still do it but then when you consider the lack of enforcement it becomes a bit less surprising. The fines and points are now quite punitive but the likelihood of being caught is too low for it to be a real deterrent. As a business our driving policy states that calls on bluetooth hands free are not allowed in company cars whilst driving and a lot of people dont realise that the police can pull you for driving without due care if you are caught doing so. Are you seeing similar policies? I once did a H&S audit for a company and when I discussed this they said their travelling sales staff had to make calls whilst driving because that was the only time they had to do so! My old employer had the no phone calls while driving rule in place over 10 years ago, they still insisted you have a full car kit installed though.....but for charging purposes only...
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Post by Tim on Jun 9, 2021 10:20:50 GMT
Stand in any city centre and you can see the idiots. It's a pity I've never heard or seen of the police doing just this. It seems such an easy thing to do. Publicise it enough and some people might actually think twice before using their phone. I'm always surprised by the number of professional drivers, especially truckers, I see using a hand held mobile while driving. I always assumed that in most cases being caught for that could lead to them losing their job.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2021 10:43:56 GMT
My brother drove HGV and was told to answer the phone no matter what, points or fired, your choice.
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Post by Alex on Jun 9, 2021 13:54:35 GMT
My brother drove HGV and was told to answer the phone no matter what, points or fired, your choice. Think he would have had good grounds for unfair dismissal if they did. You can't fire someone for NOT committing a crime.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2021 14:01:51 GMT
Would he get another driving job tho'?
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Post by Alex on Jun 9, 2021 14:49:53 GMT
Would he get another driving job tho'? Given the shortage of HGV drivers right now I imagine he would!
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Post by Martin on Jun 9, 2021 17:45:34 GMT
Would he get another driving job tho'? Given the shortage of HGV drivers right now I imagine he would! He could get £50+ an hour through the right agency at the moment!
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Post by johnc on Jun 10, 2021 9:18:10 GMT
He could get £50+ an hour through the right agency at the moment! For driving a lorry! F* me, that's the going rate for a lot of senior professionals
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Post by Martin on Jun 10, 2021 9:52:28 GMT
He could get £50+ an hour through the right agency at the moment! For driving a lorry! F* me, that's the going rate for a lot of senior professionals I’ve just been quoted £750 for a 12 hour day and that’s just for the driver, we used to be able to get one with a unit and fuel for about £450 a day! That’s a step too far, but I am paying £650 a day for 10 drivers who work Thu-Mon. The. Agency will take a % but the driver is still getting £50/hr. Its a huge amount, but even at the normal rates (c£35k basic + great opportunity for overtime) it’s a very good job. We’re ‘growing out own’, it’s 6-8 weeks of intensive training to get your Class 1, then we buddy with an experienced driver for 4 weeks and you’re on full pay. When you’ve been with us for 3 months and pass probation you get £500 and same again after 6 months.
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Post by Tim on Jun 10, 2021 10:29:39 GMT
I'm in the wrong job!
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Post by Alex on Jun 10, 2021 12:07:34 GMT
Starting to wonder the same!
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 11, 2021 8:51:40 GMT
You have a place just down the road from me, Martin, and that kind of pay would be handy!
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Post by Martin on Jun 15, 2021 14:02:10 GMT
I was northbound on the A1 and saw what I thought was an Insignia reversing out of a petrol station back onto the dual carriageway, so I started to slow down. When it started to enter the left hand lane I braked gently, flashed the lights and then gave it a blast of the horn. It was gathering speed quite quickly, so I braked harder and stuck the hazards on and was almost stopped as it sailed across the front of me and stuffed itself in the barrier. No driver at the wheel.....
Thankfully it wasn't one of those knee wobble moments as I'd spotted it in plenty of time and there was a big gap behind me.
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Post by alf on Jun 15, 2021 16:22:03 GMT
Good thing you reacted to it rather than just expected the other driver to sort it out - since there wasn't one!!!
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Post by Alex on Jun 15, 2021 21:29:04 GMT
That's proper scary. When I had an Insignia I found the electric parking brake doesn't automatically engage when the ignition is turned off as it does in pretty much every other car I've experienced with one. I was pretty good at remembering to engage it myself but it wasnt the second nature that a proper handbrake is. Fortunately as I'm still in the habit of leaving cars in gear it wasn't ever a problem on the rare occasion I forgot to engage it.
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Post by johnc on Jun 17, 2021 9:19:46 GMT
A guy falling asleep at the wheel of his Corsa as he drove towards me this morning - either that or he was on something or about to pass out. He just started to cross the white line gently towards me when he was about 200yds away. I slowed down, put my headlights on full beam and blew my horn as I braked harder. Thankfully he awoke and swerved back on to his side of the road but he looked totally out of it. I don't like these slow motion, nothing I can do about it moments.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 18, 2021 8:01:18 GMT
I was northbound on the A1 and saw what I thought was an Insignia reversing out of a petrol station back onto the dual carriageway, so I started to slow down. When it started to enter the left hand lane I braked gently, flashed the lights and then gave it a blast of the horn. It was gathering speed quite quickly, so I braked harder and stuck the hazards on and was almost stopped as it sailed across the front of me and stuffed itself in the barrier. No driver at the wheel..... Thankfully it wasn't one of those knee wobble moments as I'd spotted it in plenty of time and there was a big gap behind me. If it had been a white Kuga then it would probably have been mine! I find the electronic parking brake a bit odd in that it doesn't have at least a switchable auto engage. Would have been useful the other week...
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Post by alf on Jun 18, 2021 8:22:38 GMT
A guy falling asleep at the wheel of his Corsa as he drove towards me this morning - either that or he was on something or about to pass out. He just started to cross the white line gently towards me when he was about 200yds away. I slowed down, put my headlights on full beam and blew my horn as I braked harder. Thankfully he awoke and swerved back on to his side of the road but he looked totally out of it. I don't like these slow motion, nothing I can do about it moments. Indeed. The closest I've come to certain death (driving anyway) was in the 156 2.5V6 in my mid 20's, driving home late at night with my then-partner, I was on a long straight road with loads of crests (and double white lines as a result....). I came over a crest doing maybe 70 and there was a car facing me head on, overtaking another. How he braked and got back in behind it, I will never know.... That would have been all of the people in both cars dead, for sure...
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Post by Alex on Jun 19, 2021 11:04:01 GMT
I followed a car earlier which had several Think Bike bumper and window stickers including some with expletives suggesting the driver is somewhat militant on the subject. Yet when we came across a cyclist they proceeded to overtake around a blind left corner passing with just over a foot between them. Makes me think it's about time they got down off their fucking high horse!
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jun 20, 2021 10:31:07 GMT
I followed a car earlier which had several Think Bike bumper and window stickers including some with expletives suggesting the driver is somewhat militant on the subject. Yet when we came across a cyclist they proceeded to overtake around a blind left corner passing with just over a foot between them. Makes me think it's about time they got down off their fucking high horse! There's a fair bit of cycle/car villainy about, mostly drivers not holding back until safe to pass with plenty of room, as in your example, but also a fair few bike wankers about, too.
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