Most people don't care about driving as a skill, they just want to get somewhere easily. They all think they're better than average drivers because everyone is an arrogant asshole and the hero of their own story. Now, let's give all those lazy narcissists several tons of steel and let them loose in all directions, because otherwise the economy!
@@HighlandRevs I live in Wales and so many car drivers now drive at 30 to 40 in the 20 zones and no longer slow down for the old 20 zones such as schools and then when the road become 60 they sit on 40 to 45. Before the blanket 20 zone almost all would adhere to the 20 school zones.
I’ve been behind people on country lanes doing 30-40 when it’s national speed limit, but when the road drops to 30 in a village they start doing 40-50🤔😞🤷🏻♂️
Just because it’s 60mph on country lanes, doesn’t mean it’s safe to do that speed. 60mph is the maximum you can do. Where does it say in the Highway Code that you have do drive/ride at the maximum speed all the time? Country roads round where I am are so narrow with uncut hedge rows, it would be crazy to 60mph, especially with no pull-in passing places. Heaven’s forbid if I were to meet you going at 60mph in the opposite direction. You obviously like hospital food!
Yeah of course, certainly there are national speed limit roads that wouldn't be safe going more than 30. If i was on a dual carriageway with children standing at a bus stop i wouldn't go anywhere near the maximum limit. I think the point of the video was in circumstances where the road conditions allow for the maximum speed to be attained safely.
@@roviwoteap2375 An object in motion remains in motion until acted upon by an external force. It's a straight line, your vehicle is not going to magically steer itself off a cliff just because you're going 60 mph, and yes. Yes, I do like hospital food.
The drivers that real piss me off are those that pull out of junctions causing you to brake then dawdle along at very slow speeds...this happens all the time...
agree.. like they forgot how to drive all of a sudden. even if their car is an automatic or EV they still somehow manage to bogg down and crawl up to speed.
What annoys me is people who tailgate for miles when they could have easily overtaken several times like the silver car. If they have no intention of passing they should leave a suitable gap so people behind them can overtake
Tailgating is so wrong but I have noticed that sometimes it can be difficult to overtake without exceeding the speed limit whilst doing so, even on a straight. Don't want to be on the other side of the road for too long so very tempting to break the speed limit in overtakes.
If you overtake them when they are doing 40 in a 60 they will sped up and follow you at 60, it's like they have to be shown the way, another thing I notice in big half empty car parks they park close to a car that's already parked, it's like they need a guide to line up to, it's very strange. Hell is other people.
Living in the countryside, another peeve of mine is when you have long reasonably straight 60 mph roads and get stuck in a queue of traffic (in my car rather than on my motorbike) because 2 or 3 cars are behind a tractor and for some reason refuse to overtake, making it too dangerous for others to overtake, causing avoidable congestion.
I've had this happen when in my 44t truck and the road ahead is so long and clear and its safe to do so I've been able to overtake a tractor and 2 cars that are behind it although most of the time I've been empty or only very lightly laden. This has happened many a time in my 35yrs of hgv driving
I had this the other day, stuck in a convoy of cars stuck behind a horse box never getting about 20mph on a NSL road, often coming to a complete stop when car were coming the other way. When it finally got to a longish straight clear bit of road, none of the first 6 or so cars tried to overtake the horse box, even though they could have done it very easily and safely.
For many years I’ve nick named these people as the 45ers. 40-45 in the 30’s and the same speed everywhere else. There is no other way to describe them, other than ‘mindless’ and demonstrates poor driving.
I have had a problem with this for a while but had no idea so many people such as yourself felt the same way. Seems to be something that happens everywhere
I'm glad someone has documented this, it happens all over the UK. They have no awareness of anything going on around them let alone adjusting their speed.
100% agree with you, an interesting experiment. Of course this is the type of thing that frustrates a lot of drivers, but Speed Cameras don't deal with these kinds of frustrations. The slow drivers tend to claim that the limit is just that, its a limit and not a target. Its the usual argument when they are criticised. On the other hand a lot of these "slow" drivers are not "actively" engaged in driving either. They don't read road signs, don't observe hazards, look at the bonnet of their cars and trundle along oblivious to everyone else and the frustration they cause.
Thank god I'm not the only one who experiences this DAILY. I live in Norway and this is probably what pisses me off most about other people on the roads. If you consistently drive under or over the speed limit, I can understand and adapt, but this shit with going too fast in slow speed limits and too slow in high speed limits piss me the fuck off. It's like they only have one set speed they feel comfortable doing and then they just go that speed everywhere.
No reason to go 70% of the speed limit. Go 10% over. Your spedometer indicates around 10% more than your real speed. And police give you a 3% tolerance ontop.
The 10% was 20 years ago. Modern speedometers are typically only about 3 km/h below the actual speed. Check it with your GPS. For me it is ok to go 53 in a 50 zone. Stay on the safe side.
I once followed a car that like you say was doing 30 in a national speed limit country road and when we came to a village with a 30 limit they sped up. I managed to ask the lady driving why she was going slow and she said she was worried there would be animals on the country road. She wasn't to impressed when i mentioned there may be children on the road in the village. 🤦♂️
Absolutely, lots of drivers seem to have a single speed regardless of the limit. They are the same people who sit in the middle lane when the inside lane is free of traffic.
I passed my bike test in 86 and my car test shortly after. People today drive so randomly through towns and worse through country lanes is because they are frightened of the speed cameras especially the mobile speed cameras popping up unexpectedly. The government say they are for safety reasons but there is too much evidence to say they are for revenue reasons. I recently drove to John O'Groats along the A9 and couldn't believe the amount of AVERAGE speed cameras there were (If only they had repeaters saying what the speed limit actually was 🤬)....I used my cars speed limiter to good effect I can tell you. Driving today is less enjoyable unless you default to 30 everywhere ensuring you don't exceed the limit...... then there is the 20 limit introduced.....compounding the driver's misery. The Government are a bunch of money making toe rags out to ruin the enjoyment of life.
Here in Norway the general speed limit is 80km/h and if you see that there is no speed limit signs and there is no houses the speed limit is 80km/h. Problem is they often change it in rural areas with no population to 60km/h and then no more speed signs for 10km and smack in the middle of that they put a speed camera to trap all those that drive in 80km/h in what they rightfully believe is a 80km/h zone...
After 50 years of people trying to kill me on my motorbikes I guess I have learned to be chill. People will drive at whatever ever speed and in whatever manner because of "reasons", reasons valid to them. I can't control them, I can control myself. I try not to get frustrated or angry as this may cloud my judgement. If they are acting like an arse behind me I let them pass, I have nothing to prove by being in front. I would rather them be visible in front than presenting a hazard to me behind. Having made my share of blunders on the road I realise that every road user is a potential assassin, so I treat all road users with the same caution. When it comes to the drivers being referred to here, they are potentially doing us a favour by exhibiting driving that enables us to exercise additional caution.
People following too close when I'm on my bike makes me very nervous. I find it so distracting. Nobody seems to be able to maintain a consistent following distance. The very rare occasion I encounter someone else who can, I feel like I need to thank them somehow. There should be a special nod for people who can do this, because it seems to be the rarest ability on the road.
I experience this pretty much the entire time I'm out riding. I'm still on my 50cc that my parents bought for me brand new at 16 and it only does 30. Most of my riding is in 30mph zones yet people seem to want to do 45 down them.
My father does it terribly... I point it out all the time and he replies with "it's fine! I have good reactions" when I point out that that's irrelevant regarding how you are affecting the concentration of the guy in front and how that also means everyone behind you also has to then react quickly he just goes silent.. pisses me off.. there is no need for it at all, and it just makes driving more strenuous for everyone... Having a nice big gap front and back is lovely!! You can soak up little speed changes without even dabbing the brake, you can see past the car ahead easily and react to things in a calmer way.
Rural Ireland lass here, R and L roads are 80kmh yet people regularly do 100+, or in extreme cases, 120+, then continuing at 80+ through a 50. Either they're excessively speeding or you have numpties doing *30* in an 80. Even the Garda don't follow the speed limit half the time. And that's not even including all the boyracers you'll encounter goading you to fly down these roads at stupid speeds because you hurt their ego for daring to ride a motorcycle.
The issue is many R roads in Ireland can handle 100kmh and doing so isn't excessively speeding, it is driving to the conditions. In the video you can see the speeds change and adapt to the road type and go up to 60mph where it is safe to do so. In Ireland a blanket approach is taken, R/L road is 80 no matter the condition or safety of the road. Rightly or wrongly people believe they are smart and this makes them question the validity of the limit, where they assess it doesn't make sense they break it (because there is little chance of punishment). Not understanding how structure drives human behaviour is a huge problem when it comes to road safety, it is why this video is an excellent point in identifying a problem ignored by policy makers. In Ireland, the RSA has reported 70% of people break urban speed limits and there solution is to lower the speed limits even more? Disconnect from reality.
You are absolutely bang on about the 40mph speed and best of all you are supported in this by Jeremy Clarkson. I am not a biker though my brother has been for 50 years and exactly the same applies to cars which try to keep to the limit - that is not get done for speeding - so that I get tailgated all the time in 20 and 30 limits but when I get into the 60 limit and travel at 55-60 mph, those same tailgaters are left way behind me. The only thing that I would point out is that I rely on the GPS for accurate speeds and not my speedo, which in one of my cars reads 10% fast.
Most cars speedos over-read by a few percent, as they can't be perfectly accurate, and under-reading would be legally problematic, so they are designed to over-read a bit. The trouble with GPS is that is a bit of a delay, so your measured speed will always be a bit behind if you're braking or accelerating. Also, if you're driving in roads with tall buildings, tunnels, or tree cover the signal might be quite poor, so might be erroneous readings or longer delays.
@@davem9204 I think I might be quite lucky with my GPS. The speed limit always changes on my satnav within just a few yards of the sign irrespective of slowing or accelerating.
@@HighlandRevs I´ve seen anything from 3-13% misreadings depending on make and year on cars. Bikes idk, but I reckon you´d find something similar. In Norway we have this car association called NAF, which used to take real measurements and put a sticker on your dash telling you how much off your specific car was. Nobody does this today, sadly - but I suspect there are still huge variations, and that this might be part of the problem. Not for the 45´ers though - they´re just horrible drivers. End of!
Kind of makes sense, if people have a speed they are comfortable driving at, it takes a conscious effort to stray from that comfort zone. Driving can cause complacency and so naturally falling back to that speed could happen. I think in a lot cases having drivers be too conscious of their speed leads to a lack of focus on driving or awareness of others, and that it is preferable for people to drive at a comfortable speed that makes sense within reason, now obviously for liability reasons and due to our inability to approach anything reasonably, everything has to mandated and everyone has to grip to the law.
You know what else really grinds my gears? Drivers who pull out of lane 1 into lane 2 at a set of traffic lights to then not progress to the merge point and move back to lane 1 in pretty much the position they were in.
Ah, this is a universal phenomenon! I live in a rural part of the netherlands, and I experience the same thing every day. What I've observed is that at least 75% of these oblivious drivers are older people. I believe they just can't or won't focus enough on driving. Here, I'd like to point out the many benefits of our bus services. Just saying...
Don't forget, vans & trucks etc are limited to 50mph on a single carriageway road - I'm sure this causes more frustration for road user's who aren't limited. Over many years of driving I have been on a couple of speed awareness courses & it leaves me speechless hearing other driver's lack of knowledge regarding speed limits on different roads. I always do my best to stay in the limits, whether I'm driving a van, car or riding my bike. Some people just like driving as close as they can, then not overtaking when the opportunity arises. Very annoying when they do that 🤬
Also there's the stealth speed limit for a vehicle that's running on a spare tyre, or punctured run-flats: usually 50 mph for most of those types of tyre. Nothing about a vehicle to tell you that's the case unless they have a big sticker on the space saver and you happen to see it.
... & as the speed awareness course teaches us - "it's a speed limit - not a target" I always stick to the 50mph limit on single carriageway roads & I regularly get abuse off drivers who think I should drive faster. It's a bad rule in my opinion - they should keep the same limit for all traffic, maybe compromise at 55mph?
You are spot on with your observations it happens every single time I ride my bike. Sometimes they follow me so close in a 30 I’m reluctant to brake hard in case I became wallpaper on their bonnet.😤😤😤
It isn't helped by so many speed limits being seemingly set arbitrarily and too low. When you've got wide straight roads (including dual carriageways) with few hazards and virtually no pedestrian activity or access with 30 or even 20 mph limits, it is little wonder drivers get frustrated. You could be driving along a NSL road that suddenly becomes a 40mph limit only because it's in a different county. The 40-everywhere drivers have existed as long as I've been driving, and seem to be in every part of the country!
Something my blues instructor said "Most people drive unconsciously, if they have an accident, they remember what happened at the point of the accident and afterwards and reconstruct the events leading to it from there." I drive on blues like everyone is trying to kill me. I intend to ride the same.
I know exactly who you´re talking about! In Norway we call them 70kph drivers. They won´t do 80 on the country roads like we´re allowed to, but they will happily continue into 60 or 50 kph zones at the exact same speed! It´s like they don´t even reckognize anything beyond their own dashboard. We also have the numnutz that don´t understand motorways and the purpose of the onramps, keeping 60kph into 110kph traffic till the last 10 metres. That´s just dangerous! Even the big rigs are doing 90 out there, and they normally keep to the outside where you want to enter...
I've just lost the 9 points that I had on my licence (thank fudge) but for the past 4 years I have religiously stuck to 30, 40 and 50mph speed limits and it's been the scariest and most dangerous thing that I've ever had to do on the bike in the 35 years that I've been riding. I've had people tailgate me, honk the horn, flash their lights, throw handsigns, verbally abuse me, throw things out of their vans, overtake me and brakecheck me and one guy even followed me into a petrol station to give me his opinion on my riding, from a safe distance, through his open window, before driving off very quickly once I took a step in his direction. Women were worse than blokes 🤷♂
Well done getting the points off. You're right when you stick to the limit like you did it really shows the worst in the drivers around you. Some crazy reactions to you going the speed limit, eh!
All you can ever control is yourself. Other people will drive differently depending on their Mood, Ability, Eyesight ect. I ride my bike faster than i drive my van.
All should be made to ride a motorbike for at least 12 months before they are allowed behind the steering wheel of a car so they get a real true understanding of road awareness and real road safety. When in traffic much of the time you can tell which car drivers are motorcyclists by their actual road sense and spacial awareness.
In my experience, all the traffic I overtake on the country roads end up right up behind me at the next village/town because I'm probably one of the few that actually respects urban speed limits (I'll do 32 mph). At the same time, all the cars zooming ahead of me in towns, doing 40mph, I'm catching up to them and overtaking them at the next open road.
you are referring to what we call in the biz: mono-speeder. One speed for every road. usually 40. Every-time you encounter one you should say '40's not naughty' and that apparently causes them to explode.
This is endemic in East Sussex. They can only do 40mph. Trouble is they do it everywhere 60,50,40,30, or Sainsbury’s car park. When you overtake them in a 60 limit, they get really angry and flash lights, wave fists I’ve had one chase me. It’s appalling driving but no one seems to care. I can only assume it’s the incompetence of driving instructors.
I've never understood why people get so upset when they get overtaken. If you're driving at 20mph below the limit, then you should expect it to happen. I don't think it's down to driving instructors, more of an inbuilt attitude in some drivers.
Some people are just idiots that get emotional at things their brain can't work out. I had full on road rage from a guy once. I was stuck behind a middle lane moron on a motorway.. there was more than enough of a gap to get into the overtaking queue when I started the manoeuvre but the guy behind had decided I shouldn't be allowed to so he floored it to shut the door (to this day I don't know why anyone would need to do that but they drove one of those big 4x4 warrior things so guess they felt like king of the road or something). Anyway I had committed to the overtake going with the flow of traffic and since he had bombed up behind I had no choice but to carry on. After I pulled back over a few seconds later The guy proceeded to get his very young son to throw coins out of the car window at me, and also pulled in front sharply and slammed brakes on several times... At one point Even coming to a full stop on the motorway just to try and force me to pass so he could carry on the attack.. ( I just slowed down behind him... I am not stupid). It's seriously a problem for some people.. they get so wound up about little things! As a motorcycle rider when someone pulls out in front of me I am not getting wound up... I see it happening and just adjust myself accordingly then carry on. I don't get this becoming enraged at stuff behind the wheel thing.
Yes, definitely come across it, and it's frustrating. I'm a car driver. Sometimes I've been stuck behind someone like this in a 50 or a 60, waiting for an overtaking opportunity, then we come to a 30 and they leave me behind, because I'm obeying the speed limit and they aren't. In the next 60 I've missed overtaking opportunities while catching them up again, and then I'm stuck behind them again. I've been pretty careful to obey limits since I had to do a speed awareness course a few years back, but several other attendees had literally NO IDEA what the speed limits were on different kinds of road. One suggested 30 for a dual carriageway! Clearly some drivers are oblivious.
Horrible experience. Well said re the overtaking opportunity being missed i have experienced this so many times. Scary the lack of knowledge of some drivers
I'm glad somebody else is talking about this. It's been a bugbear of mine for years. I also have had people blow their horns at me for doing 20 in a twenty zone. I try hard to observe the limits in built up areas and find even the busses get miffed at me.
I'll probably get some pelters for this, but, part of the problem is the inconsistent way that speed limits are introduced in a lot of cases. Take at about 4:10 you were in a 40mph, then at the 5:00 minute mark you enter a 50mph and there is very little to differentiate between the two in terms of being a built up area, school, businesses etc. This is also the case in many 30-40-30 transitions where the actual make up of the area doesn't differ widely enough for drivers to have acknowledge the change in use and adjust the speed according to the prevailing conditions, or the length of the speed limit is too short, particularly for local drivers. I'd question some of the use of the double white lines in places as from the video it appears that forward visibility is suitable to allow overtaking. With the above said about the perception and inconsistent introduction of speed limits, it is worth remembering that the speed limit is a limit and not a target speed, and all drivers should drive at a speed that is appropriate to the road and weather conditions.
nooooooooo. it is just drive to the contitions, letting people have the idea of its a limit not a target is just plain dumb. leaves too many picking some truly inapropriate speeds on some much higher speed roads, its just bad.
@@Gazzxy How does anyone know that the speed the driver hasn't chosen is appropriate to them based on the conditions of their vehicle, their experience, the confidence level with the vehicle? Because another driver may feel confident in driving at the speed limit, it doesn't automatically translate that every driver does. If the driver behind the slower vehicle is so impatient, they can always overtake, restrictions not preventing, when a safe opportunity to do so presents itself.
That's a decent point of view. I think others might suggest that we should all be able to drive to a minimum set standard that would allow us to drive at the maximum permitted speed when conditions allow. I think the confidence argument implies that their driving abilities arn't what perhaps they should be. 60 MPH on a straight road should be achievable for those who passed a driving test.
I like your point on the double white lines. I had a look at some of the footage and the position of them did seem a bit strange and perhaps prevent an overtake in what looked like a decent position.
@@HighlandRevs I don't disagree, that is what the driving test should enable us to achieve, that opens up a very big can of worms! as a motorcyclists you will know better the standards of driving are questionable, with those that have just passed and or have been driving for a while, I'm sure you have had your fair share of or know people who've had the SMDSY!! Stay safe out there!!
as a driver with a blackbox i experience bs like this everyday. im a fast driver when im on those country roads and i always have people up my ass on thirty's and overtaking me in 20s but they ALWAYS slow me down on the country roads because they refuse to do 60 even on the straights. So SO irritating. you have really highlighted some very good points here.
You have described it perfectly. Having the box ensuring you don’t exceed the limit means you’re best placed to understand this. It’s exactly right they’ll be up you in the 30s but will be causing you problems in the 60 road.
One thing I get a lot is being tailgated in a 30 or 40mph limit, but when I accelerate promptly when the limit increases, the gap suddenly increases massively. These people aren't remotely looking or ever aware of the signs or what the current speed limit is. And I don't have a fast vehicle - it's a 22-year-old 1.6 litre Ford Focus.
100% with you on this one. I’m all for spirited riding outside of town where the situation and speed limit allows, but always rein it in around town. The type of driving you highlight is commonplace throughout the UK, especially the south east. There is a complete disregard for the safety of others. The standard of driving in the UK is simply horrendous. This isn’t the usual young / inexperienced driver issue. It’s every age and demographic of driver. ‘Professional’ i.e. delivery / taxi / lorry / coach drivers are usually the worst! There is no one to enforce the rules and submitting dash-cam footage of reckless drivers is a fruitless exercise. Add to that the state of our roads and it’s no surprise road deaths and serious injuries are on the up.
Getting close to the car in front to try and get them to go faster is as clever as putting your hand in the toaster to stop your ur toast burning. At the end of the day if someone is going slow, they are easier to overtake. Especially on a long straight road. Also hanging back gives you more run up for the overtake and space to reject plus time to react to pot holes
I’m training to be a driving instructor. In preparation for my part 2 driving test, I’m practising being disciplined with speed limits. The other day on a dual carriageway where I live, I took a mouthful of verbal abuse as I dropped my speed down in time for the 40 limit. Something along the lines of “what the f!ck are you doing you tosser” was yelled out of the passenger window in my direction as he over took at about 60/65mph. This will be my life when I qualify!
I have had the same observation myself. 40 mph all the time, whether it's a 30 or a 60. REALLY frustrating and it can be intimidating when someone comes barrelling up behind you and then sits on your back wheel or bumper. If you had to brake suddenly, then you know they would go right into the back of you.
I feel exactly what you're saying. Plenty of drivers here do 70, and that's it. 70 instead of 50, and 70 instead of 90 (in km/h). Now, on the bike nothing bothers me, but boy oh boy when I'm driving... Most of the time I just can't pass them with the way traffic is. Worst is when they come back to overtake you in towns, since they can't slow down either, and now all of us have to try and pass them again until the next town. And the cycle continues.
I have always said that the average motorist is less aware of driving conditions and braking distances than the average biker.We have two small strips of rubber to keep us safe not four and a metal box.Speed limits are made for a reason and that reason is the safety of all road users. I hate tailgating and impatient drivers once they've passed their tests they think the Highway Code doesn't relate to them.Having said that some bikers can be very stupid in the way they ride,thinking they are at a track day somewhere.
i think honestly it's because so many people out there are simply scared of driving and do not enjoy doing it, therefore do just what ever they feel comfortable with irrespective of the other road users. I think coming from a perspective of someone who enjoys motor vehicles and driving it's hard to view it from the perspective of someone that hates that and only does it out of necessity as it tends to be those drivers that display this sort of behaviour.
Maybe it's the fear of a fine. I can say I have been caught out with limits from time to time.. signs covered by foliage or just hectic things happening that caused you to miss a speed change.. and that is from the perspective of an observant driver. We all know most simply are not, so maybe it's their way of playing it safe and not having to concentrate so much
This is what happens when you get people who are impatient, but lack the necessary skill/confidence to actually drive to the speed limit on faster roads, when conditions allow. It's a pet peeve of mine, and I've actually had instances where I've been approaching a 60 from a 30, and the car behind just couldn't wait and has overtaken me before I've even reached the change in speed limit... only to then sit doing 45. Like, my dude, I was going to be doing 60 if only you'd have waited - now YOU'RE under MY feet!
Then why are they speeding in a 30/40? Why no safe distance to the vehicle ahead so anyone making progress from behind can move into the safe space in front of you? Its just lazy/me-first attitude driving and it sucks. Probably the same drivers that don't signal right on the motorways half the time &/or can't maintain a set speed. See someone passing them, oh no.. I must speed up! It makes me wonder what the rest of these peoples lives are like tbh.
Love this it mirrors my thoughts exactly. I drive a van for work and because it’s over 2 tonnes the national speed limit for me on these single carriageway country roads is 50 mph not 60. My vehicle is also speed monitored and I have a tracker fitted so to avoid any reprimand I kinda have to stick to limits. The amount of frustration in other road users because I change my speed accordingly is off the charts bad. The lack of patience and risk taking for me at least is an everyday occurrence.
I can explain this phenomena quite simply. People don't check the speed limit or look at their speedometer. They drive at a speed they feel comfortable at with little care for what is going on around them. It's unfortunately quite a common behaviour for humans to simply go into auto pilot mode when doing anything repetitive, there is no real solution to this issue other than remaining vigilant in case of encounters with such people.
The typical 4 wheeler can't drive, and has no idea how badly they can't drive. And honestly believe that EVERYONE ELSE ON EARTH is the problem, instead of the 1 constant, which is them.
On a bike I tend to just pass them, but while in my car, I see it all the time, 40 on a 60mph road, holding up 20-30 cars behind them. They would fail a driving test for not adhering to the speed limit, due to no confidence.
Here in Norway there is lot of people that drive in 60km/h in the 80km/h zone, when they come to a 50 zone in small villages they still drive at 60km/h, and when they come to a 90km/h zone they still drive at 60km/h, they have only one speed... Also lot of people that generally drive 10 to 20km/h under the speed limit out on the country side and when they comet to a city or town they keep 10km/h over the speed limit (which in the 30km/h zone is a 1000€ fine....).
Try riding in Wales where the speed limit is 20 in built up areas. Every other car overtakes you in town, making it incredibly dangerous for motorcyclists. Even push bikes overtake, and then they're all in the way once you reach the national speed limit. Madness!
It's exactly the same in Australia. Shits me to tears. There's a particular spot I use all the time that's 50km/h for a few metres of country road. If I sit on 50 until the 100km/h zone, they pass me and then sit on 75km/h all the way to the next town. The next town has road works that are all 40km/h. They drive through them at 75.
Just let them pass you if they’re too close. Keep yourself out of harms way. Car driving standards are absolutely appalling nowadays and with way too many distractions.
I totally agree with everything you have said, those type of drivers are the most dangerous and have no consideration for anyone else on the road or even pedestrians in the 30 zones.
Wow, you have some long straight roads up there! Beautiful scenery though. I live in South Wales where the limit in towns was recently reduced to 20 mph. Try sticking to that one and you'll get cars literally one foot from your rear mudguard 😬 But exactly as you state, as soon as you get to the twisties, they just don't do the speed limit! 🤬
There are some pretty spots. I bet it’s the same down your way. I know, I was interested to find out the impact of the wide spread 20 limit. I can imagine we have a couple of 20s here and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it’s impossible to maintain that with traffic behind you, because of tailgating.
It's not just the UK, in Australia they are the same. One answer is to adjust the road around the target speed.. Eg narrow the road when the speed limit lowers..
Couldn't agree more. I came back to bikes after a little 40-year break, and I like to do my riding out in the sticks in my native Northumberland. I started a channel of such, and I like to ride in a safe but 'spirited' fashion, shall we say, away from traffic, schools, roundabouts, etc, sweeping along the winding country lanes. But. The moment I come back from the sticks and enter the town traffic, I slow to the speed limits for two reasons....a) I have gotten the speed urges out of my system on the country lanes and b) the speed limits make perfect sense around the busy sub urban town traffic. I also see the bad driving around me, it's very noticeable, as is some drivers' bad attitude to motorcycles. As you say, for no good reason whatsoever many drive too close behind, and go too fast for the conditions and congestion. Tiny, little Fiat's and works vans overtake me with much reving of engine to gain one place further ahead at a junction. I could destroy them, of course, with one whiff of my throttle, were I so foolish to engage, but as you say and lo and behold come the dual carriageway and they do 45mph! At least it's made me a better driver when in my car 🤪
Glad you returned to it! Great driving down in Northumberland. You describe it exactly and i think you are right experience from the bike does extend over to the car most of the time.
I thought this only happened to me. I reckon a lot of drivers somehow compute the average speed of a stretch of road. My commute takes me along a road that changes frequently between 30mph and 50mph. Low and behold, drivers take the average and drive bang on 40mph. Worst still, they either tailgate at the lower speed or prevent me from overtaking at the higher speed. It's utterly bonkers and incredibly frustrating.
The trick is to keep a good distance from the vehicle in front and just settle in at their pace. I often find that if I do this the tailgater behind also drops back.
That is in my experience rare. Lost count of the tailgating I have had while being behind another car myself. As if I can just go faster regardless.. and I leave enough space for someone to overtake into so it's not that. Honestly there are just a lot of idiots out there.
It comes down to their perception of the road width. Drivers will naturally driver as fast as they feel comfortable driving on wider roads. But will reduce their speed on narrower roads. Country roads often feel narrow. Even when they're not actually that narrow. Suburban roads often feel wider even when they're not. Country roads often have hedges and fences right next to the road. making it feel closed in. Suburban roads have pavements that make the road feel wider than it is. This gives drivers a false sense of security on suburban roads. Especially if it's a straight road. On a side note. Most country roads probably shouldn't be national speed limit roads. Mostly because private car drivers can't handle changes in driving conditions. The new 20mph limit in Wales is already paying dividends in reduced accidents and fatalities.
The 45s have been about for a while But what I’ve noticed nowadays is cars doing 50ish in the outside lane of a motorway taking about 5 miles to overtake a lorry and refuse to pull back over once passed ,then they travel in the outside for miles With nothing in the inside lane
I see this all the time too in Germany. So frustrating. They blast through the residental area way over speed limit but then slug around at 70% speed limit outside of it. Not to mention their Autobahn behaviour. I feel like its the driving instructors fault too. They freak out when you go the speed limit. "Are you in a hurry?"
Hahaha my brother and I were having this very conversation just last week, is awsome that we are not the only ones to notice this, an I completely agree with you it's so dangerous, it also seems to alter your state on mind and riding style to that more inline of the asbo master, I was filming a vid 2 days ago were a car broke every speed limit for 8 miles then on the duel carriageway (with central barrier) decided 55-58 was acceptable in the overtaking lane Wen the main lane was totally clear which then pushes you to undertake... Speed awareness and discipline in this country is is out of control and out the window. Excellent vid btw, good job thumbs up dude
Totally with you on this. What compounds the problem is that no one seems able to overtake slow moving traffic anymore. You always end up with a convoy of 8 or 10 cars bunched up too close following a tractor, HGV, cyclists etc because nobody has the cojones to overtake even when the road and conditions allow. These will be the same drivers happy to do 35-40 in a 39 zone though. People are just getting weird, I don’t understand their logic…
I call them "40 everywhere" drivers, and they annoy the hell out of me. I live in a village in the Trossachs and the road into it is a 60, reducing to a 40, then a 30 through the village. The amount of times I see people leaving me behind (or catching me) in the 30 or 40, but then doing 40 in the 60 is unreal.
With the van behind, best to let them get past sooner rather than later to get rid of that worry. The biggest danger on the roads is anger/frustration. If you see stuff like that all the time, you know its gonna happen, it's best to not let it get to you as it has a negative effect on decision making
On my bike I always add 2mph to the correct limit. For example 32mph in a 30 and yet I still have tailgaiters. Its soo dangerous incase someone pulls out infront of me and I do an emergency stop that rear car is gonna go into the back of me. Whenever they do 40 in a 60 I flash my lights at them.
I ride, drive a sports car and drive a bus at work so have vast experience. There is no excuse for not adjusting to a lower limit. However like so many ppl you confuse the speed limit with a speed target. Yes it’s frustrating but every one has different reactions, vehicles, limitations, perception of hazards and some ppl just want a better safety cushion. An example of this is me in my bus leaving multiple bus lengths in front of me. Then someone seeing my huge gap decides to jump in to it. This forces me to drop back more to get the gap back. No one asked why is that gap there… ooo I fit in there it’s moving a little faster it’s mine. Well done you just put your self in a 18tone tanks breaking zone. If it goes wrong the firemen will have a hard time separating your body from the wreckage….. whats good for you is not good for others
Road rage everywhere on the Wirral Merseyside because of 20mph in stupid places Wirral followed suit with Wales,locals here hate you for doing 20mph my car hates it in 2nd gear it uses more fuel. Driver doing 45 in a 60 maybe a tourist and is just plodding along and it sounds like you on the bike is moaning at him lol so i'm confused if it's about road rage and drivers not wanting to do the full max limit we have overtaking points forthose who want to do the max too !
I can imagine, 20s are not fun. Could have been a tourist, not sure if the Naval base we were passing was that interesting even to a tourist though. Haha i was moaning but hopefully he couldn't hear me. Yeah in an ideal world we would overtake although there aren't a lot of great opportunities for that on this road. This stretch is a single carriage for quite a few miles, which is what i think leads to people's frustration.
The number of times I’ve been driving down the bypass near me, which is a dual carriageway and people are faffing around doing 55-60 tops blows my mind. I truly believe they don’t know what the speed limits are. The same thing goes for people on A roads in a national speed limit zone, but they random brake for speed cameras even though they’re within the limit. They clearly don’t know what they’re doing! We’re far too lax in ensuring standards for driving in this country. At the minimum we need to introduce mandatory retests for theory and hazard perception when people renew their licenses! The general lack of awareness and interest in looking after themselves and fellow road users is so concerning. People don’t even follow the basics of good road craft now, mirror signal manoeuvre. Had a lad on a motorcycle pull into a junction I was sitting at today. Didn’t signal, didn’t even do a shoulder check before turning in, completely oblivious.
i find everyone drives differently when theres a bike on the road some people drive like theyre scared of the bike and others act like they wanna race the bike
Whenever I've seen people that do 40 everywhere (even in 30s) they're normally old. They're generally safe drivers aside from the fact that they speed through 30 zones at 40.
I agree, however, I've found some speedometers are well wrong so you think you are doing 30 when you are really doing just over 25. You are absolutely correct though, there are so many crawlers. I've been stuck behind cars driving 10 - 15 mph under the speed limit.
Yeah I don't know why the speedometer reads slow by about 10% .had a Vstrom and now triumph tiger both out by about 10%, so I use GPS navigation instead of having to remember to make adjustments to what bike says. Plus, is handy for going places not familiar with. I'm in Nz and find lots of people in a hurry in 50-60 kph roads and tailgating, but when you get to 100 kph roads they drop back most times .
What bugs me the most is when you get someone doing 40mph in a 50 zone but when the speed limit changes to 40 they drop to 30mph. I'm like, "you could do 40 a minute ago, why the hell can't you do it now?" And then, if you ever get the chance to query them on this behaviour, you usually get the template response "Well, xx mph is the MAXIMUM speed limit". I reckon there should also be rulings that state a minimum speed limit for each speed zone as well, where, if you are going below it without any cause to do so (i.e. turning or hazard avoidance), you should get prosecuted for obstructing the flow of traffic. Maybe 10% of the maximum limit would be a good start. So, for example, in a 50 zone, anything less than 45 is an obstruction. 60 zone, below 54mph would be prosecutable, and so on and so forth.
I've been riding/driving for 59 years. I still ride a BMW XR and an AMG Mercedes. I am IAM qualified. Yes it's frustrating to follow vehicles that are driving well below the speed limit, but, it is a speed maximum not a speed requirement. Advanced driving teaches you to always drive to the prevailing conditions. And if the prevailing condition is a slow driver you drive taking full account of their speed. If the opportunity arises when you can make progress you can overtake.
Yet, you fail the road exam if you drive/ride under the speed limit. It's a MAJOR fault. One MAJOR and you're out. I had to retake mine because I decided to ride slowly (low 20s instead of 30) in a hilly village full of speed bumps and pedestrian crossings in cold, rainy weather. Go figure.
I ride a motorbike and drive a work van every day. I see this every day. I'm only allowed 50mph on single carriageway in my van and it frustrates the drivers behind me but there's nothing I can do about it, I value my clean license too much. I laughed at the car park comment, both me and my wife park away from people and you can bet a BMW parks right up against you when you get back.
I drive a company van and am also a new biker and i keep to the speed limit depending on conditions. And what you have shown, personally i think it should be incorporated into driving tests. I wouldn’t say as a test as there’s enough already but to ad another layer of awareness.
Cars doing 45mph on a motorway or 50mph basically shutting the motorway down to 2 lanes and forcing all the HGV’s into lane two has got to be the worst thing I’ve seen and it’s happening more often.
Excellent vid there Mr Highland Revs on a subject close to my heart, made more interesting for me as I used to live on the Kilcreggan peninsular, and I know those roads very well. 2 points: firstly, I suspect that many drivers are on autopilot; their primary brain activity is elsewhere: the radio, chatting, etc. It's why one frequently encounters the constant 45mph driver, regardless of speed limit. Secondly, with few exceptions, the speed limits are there for very good reasons: at 20mph in a busy pedestrianised area, there is a good chance that you could perform a successful emergency stop if a child, animal, or adult steps out without thinking. There are exceptions to limits being "there for a good reason" I reckon. One such is the 20mph on the A827 between Kenmore and Lawyers: it is a country road with a few bends, and a few drive openings to private houses. It should be a 40 or 50. I can't work out why it's 20, but I suspect local jiggery-pokery! One last point: if as a biker you decide to just enjoy the ride, the views, and have a relaxing poddle (as I was doing on Ardnamurchan earlier in the week), and a vehicle comes up behind, let it pass at the earliest opportunity, otherwise ride at the speed limit when safe to do so. End of rant. 😂
@@chrismithchrismith thanks for this comment. Agree with you entirely. I like the description autopilot. Good point with that road. Very correct about enjoying the ride and letting those behind with attitude get past. Actually did that on a ride today and it’s like a weight off your shoulders once they’re past you.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that the Police should investigate drivers going significantly below the speed limit when the road conditions do not dictate that a slower speed is necessary.
Didn't they do it on the premise that people tend to drive over the limit and therefore by lowering it it's now bringing people more in line with the original 30 limit imposed. Pretty odd approach when enforcement of existing limits is prolific enough and there were still plenty of 20mph limits around.
Glad the algo picked this up, you've earned a new sub! Always have the same problem in Ireland. I'm a spirited (but legal) driver, and especially on the twisties it's very frustrating to get stuck behind someone sitting at 60km/h regardless of whether the limit is 50 or 80... I've been driving since 2019 but recently got my learner's permit on the bike, so I can't wait to have someone sniffing my numberplate on that!
My bike has cruise control down to 18 so when I'm in a 20/30/40 I just set it appropriately unless the conditions aren't right for it, saves me getting tired of holding a slow speed in a long section. I don't much care if people are pushing it on the open road but as someone who comes from a rural community I don't like speeding at all through built up areas because it's someone's home and community and the deserve to enjoy it in peace and safety so anyone coming up behind me can seethe all the want. The people I hate the most are the ones doing 40 or less in the dark with their high beams off where you have to dazzle them just to find out if it's safe to pass.
It's people acting as social justice warriors.. they see motorcycle riders as hooligans that need to be taught a lesson... Lost count of the amount of times a driver will pull out of a junction to get in front of me, forcing me to brake, despite there being no-one behind me and only needing to wait 5 seconds. They then proceed to drive very slowly as if they are the pace car in a race. It's just people's psychology of not wanting anyone else to enjoy themselves because their life is empty and miserable
This is something that occurs in NZ as well. I have a works vehicle which is GPS monitored, the organisation gets a weekly report highlighting overspending and excessive braking/acceleration/cornering loads, so I stick religiously to the limit. You are correct that sticking to the limit does piss people off. Driving excessively slow causes frustration and can cause others to take unnecessary risks.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Seems to be a truly global issue. Makes it difficult to stick to the limit with pissed off drivers behind you i would say.
The bit that frustrates me is having to change gear behind these types of driver, to much up and down, while trying to make progress and good fuel economy, on a bike or in the car. Great video, interesting indeed 👍
There have been extensive studies. Roads have a natural speed limit where 80% of users will comply with the limits with no problem. Artificially lowering these limits will cause problems including lack of attention, frustration, road rage and crashes. Lower limits equate to each vehicle spending more time on a given piece of road which in turn causes congestion. Unfortunately, lower limits mean different levels of liability for repairing the infrastructure. Don't put 20mph limits outside schools; teach the kids to cross the road safely and give them a life skill.
That’s interesting. I think 80% feels about right in my experience. What do you think about advisory 20 limits. I feel most responsible drivers would reduce their speed around a school regardless of the limit?
This behaviour should be investigated, as it's commonplace no matter where you live. Where I live there are quite a few 'average speed' cameras, generally in 50MPH zones. These drones go 30MPH in these zones. They think they're being "super safe" only doing 30/40MPH in national speed limit areas, but in truth the speeding in 30MPH areas in much more dangerous.
I failed my test the first time on stopping on a give way when nothing was coming and driving 25 in a 30mph , he said I was holding up traffic ( I agree with him )
I'm an hgv driver and many a time on a 3 lane motorway if I'm in lane 2 overtaking a slower vehicle in lane 1 and I'm travelling at my maximum speed on the limiter at 56mph some cars drivers will speed right up behind and then just sit there whilst lane 3 is completely empty and they could easily overtake me, then once I have moved back to lane 1 they shoot off like a bat out of hell. Its like they think they're not allowed to use the 3rd lane to overtake me. I just don't get it
I'm with you there. I feel 90% of the human population has no idea how to use a road.
I think you are right. Certainly how it feels.
Most people don't care about driving as a skill, they just want to get somewhere easily. They all think they're better than average drivers because everyone is an arrogant asshole and the hero of their own story.
Now, let's give all those lazy narcissists several tons of steel and let them loose in all directions, because otherwise the economy!
@@HighlandRevs I live in Wales and so many car drivers now drive at 30 to 40 in the 20 zones and no longer slow down for the old 20 zones such as schools and then when the road become 60 they sit on 40 to 45. Before the blanket 20 zone almost all would adhere to the 20 school zones.
right on the money
@@cloudbasenirvana the monospeeder. Most frustrating human being on the planet. 40 in a 20 zone and 40 in a 60 zone. speed is speed
I’ve been behind people on country lanes doing 30-40 when it’s national speed limit, but when the road drops to 30 in a village they start doing 40-50🤔😞🤷🏻♂️
Exactly, see it all the time.
Just because it’s 60mph on country lanes, doesn’t mean it’s safe to do that speed. 60mph is the maximum you can do. Where does it say in the Highway Code that you have do drive/ride at the maximum speed all the time? Country roads round where I am are so narrow with uncut hedge rows, it would be crazy to 60mph, especially with no pull-in passing places. Heaven’s forbid if I were to meet you going at 60mph in the opposite direction. You obviously like hospital food!
Yeah of course, certainly there are national speed limit roads that wouldn't be safe going more than 30. If i was on a dual carriageway with children standing at a bus stop i wouldn't go anywhere near the maximum limit. I think the point of the video was in circumstances where the road conditions allow for the maximum speed to be attained safely.
And I thought it was only me that thought that!😏
@@roviwoteap2375 An object in motion remains in motion until acted upon by an external force. It's a straight line, your vehicle is not going to magically steer itself off a cliff just because you're going 60 mph, and yes. Yes, I do like hospital food.
The drivers that real piss me off are those that pull out of junctions causing you to brake then dawdle along at very slow speeds...this happens all the time...
agree.. like they forgot how to drive all of a sudden. even if their car is an automatic or EV they still somehow manage to bogg down and crawl up to speed.
The aggressive mono speeder.
What a title love it
Or the ones that speed up to get in front of you then slow right down below what you have been doing all along.
Yeah, if you do it just accelerate already! Get going and get out of the bloody way!
What annoys me is people who tailgate for miles when they could have easily overtaken several times like the silver car. If they have no intention of passing they should leave a suitable gap so people behind them can overtake
i tailgate you so you grow a pair and drive faster :)
@andrazpogladic7427 or you could just overtake maybe it's you that needs to grow some balls
Tailgating is so wrong but I have noticed that sometimes it can be difficult to overtake without exceeding the speed limit whilst doing so, even on a straight. Don't want to be on the other side of the road for too long so very tempting to break the speed limit in overtakes.
@@Nominetus you are part of the problem, sir.
@@BlokeOnAMotorbike i am sorry BUT if you are going 60 in a 90 km/h zone imma be sitting behing letting you know you got some balls to grow
If you overtake them when they are doing 40 in a 60 they will sped up and follow you at 60, it's like they have to be shown the way,
another thing I notice in big half empty car parks they park close to a car that's already parked, it's like they need a guide to line up to, it's very strange.
Hell is other people.
Have experience that too
It is a strange phenomenon, perhaps they've been woken up by the pass :)
Sheeple.....
"Following the car in front." it's the only way most people know how to drive.
Deffo had this, also when you go for the overtake and they speed up to and beyond the speed limit.. Hell really is other people! 😆
Living in the countryside, another peeve of mine is when you have long reasonably straight 60 mph roads and get stuck in a queue of traffic (in my car rather than on my motorbike) because 2 or 3 cars are behind a tractor and for some reason refuse to overtake, making it too dangerous for others to overtake, causing avoidable congestion.
Yeah 100% see it all the time
I've had this happen when in my 44t truck and the road ahead is so long and clear and its safe to do so I've been able to overtake a tractor and 2 cars that are behind it although most of the time I've been empty or only very lightly laden. This has happened many a time in my 35yrs of hgv driving
Remember drivers are NEVER taught how to overtake!
I had this the other day, stuck in a convoy of cars stuck behind a horse box never getting about 20mph on a NSL road, often coming to a complete stop when car were coming the other way. When it finally got to a longish straight clear bit of road, none of the first 6 or so cars tried to overtake the horse box, even though they could have done it very easily and safely.
For many years I’ve nick named these people as the 45ers. 40-45 in the 30’s and the same speed everywhere else. There is no other way to describe them, other than ‘mindless’ and demonstrates poor driving.
I have had a problem with this for a while but had no idea so many people such as yourself felt the same way. Seems to be something that happens everywhere
😊@@HighlandRevs
I work with two fellas that do exactly this, they go everywhere at 40, quite proud of it too. They say they feel safe doing it. 🙄
45ers... love it, I'll use that like I thought of it myself 🙂
I'm glad someone has documented this, it happens all over the UK. They have no awareness of anything going on around them let alone adjusting their speed.
100% agree with you, an interesting experiment. Of course this is the type of thing that frustrates a lot of drivers, but Speed Cameras don't deal with these kinds of frustrations. The slow drivers tend to claim that the limit is just that, its a limit and not a target. Its the usual argument when they are criticised. On the other hand a lot of these "slow" drivers are not "actively" engaged in driving either. They don't read road signs, don't observe hazards, look at the bonnet of their cars and trundle along oblivious to everyone else and the frustration they cause.
Could be just an overall lack of focus perhaps then
OMG YES! Annoys me so much being stuck behind someone doing 40 in a 60 that then does 40 in a 30 😑
Glad I’m not alone in this.
Thank god I'm not the only one who experiences this DAILY. I live in Norway and this is probably what pisses me off most about other people on the roads. If you consistently drive under or over the speed limit, I can understand and adapt, but this shit with going too fast in slow speed limits and too slow in high speed limits piss me the fuck off. It's like they only have one set speed they feel comfortable doing and then they just go that speed everywhere.
@@sirmounted8499 farts in a trance.
@@kathrynwhitby9799 Good for you.
You are not alone! Yeah exactly like one speed only!
it doesn't matter what speed you are doing it is never enough for the vehicle behind you.
Yeah sometimes it can be like that.
I totally agree with u if I'm in a 30 and I stick to 30 the cars behind me over take me very close
No reason to go 70% of the speed limit. Go 10% over. Your spedometer indicates around 10% more than your real speed. And police give you a 3% tolerance ontop.
The 10% was 20 years ago. Modern speedometers are typically only about 3 km/h below the actual speed. Check it with your GPS. For me it is ok to go 53 in a 50 zone. Stay on the safe side.
I once followed a car that like you say was doing 30 in a national speed limit country road and when we came to a village with a 30 limit they sped up. I managed to ask the lady driving why she was going slow and she said she was worried there would be animals on the country road. She wasn't to impressed when i mentioned there may be children on the road in the village. 🤦♂️
Cool story bro.
Absolutely, lots of drivers seem to have a single speed regardless of the limit. They are the same people who sit in the middle lane when the inside lane is free of traffic.
You are probably right
An advanced riding instructor suggested I treat other road users with the contempt that they deserve.
If i did that we would have a recipe for disaster.
I passed my bike test in 86 and my car test shortly after.
People today drive so randomly through towns and worse through country lanes is because they are frightened of the speed cameras especially the mobile speed cameras popping up unexpectedly.
The government say they are for safety reasons but there is too much evidence to say they are for revenue reasons.
I recently drove to John O'Groats along the A9 and couldn't believe the amount of AVERAGE speed cameras there were (If only they had repeaters saying what the speed limit actually was 🤬)....I used my cars speed limiter to good effect I can tell you.
Driving today is less enjoyable unless you default to 30 everywhere ensuring you don't exceed the limit...... then there is the 20 limit introduced.....compounding the driver's misery.
The Government are a bunch of money making toe rags out to ruin the enjoyment of life.
It does feel like a sad state of affairs at times.
The A9 is a horrible road to drive because of the constant changes from single carriageway to dual and back again.
Here in Norway the general speed limit is 80km/h and if you see that there is no speed limit signs and there is no houses the speed limit is 80km/h. Problem is they often change it in rural areas with no population to 60km/h and then no more speed signs for 10km and smack in the middle of that they put a speed camera to trap all those that drive in 80km/h in what they rightfully believe is a 80km/h zone...
After 50 years of people trying to kill me on my motorbikes I guess I have learned to be chill. People will drive at whatever ever speed and in whatever manner because of "reasons", reasons valid to them.
I can't control them, I can control myself. I try not to get frustrated or angry as this may cloud my judgement. If they are acting like an arse behind me I let them pass, I have nothing to prove by being in front. I would rather them be visible in front than presenting a hazard to me behind.
Having made my share of blunders on the road I realise that every road user is a potential assassin, so I treat all road users with the same caution.
When it comes to the drivers being referred to here, they are potentially doing us a favour by exhibiting driving that enables us to exercise additional caution.
Reasonable words. Very sensible philosophy.
People following too close when I'm on my bike makes me very nervous. I find it so distracting. Nobody seems to be able to maintain a consistent following distance. The very rare occasion I encounter someone else who can, I feel like I need to thank them somehow. There should be a special nod for people who can do this, because it seems to be the rarest ability on the road.
100% Its so rare you want to make a big deal out of it. Absolutely.
I experience this pretty much the entire time I'm out riding. I'm still on my 50cc that my parents bought for me brand new at 16 and it only does 30. Most of my riding is in 30mph zones yet people seem to want to do 45 down them.
My father does it terribly... I point it out all the time and he replies with "it's fine! I have good reactions" when I point out that that's irrelevant regarding how you are affecting the concentration of the guy in front and how that also means everyone behind you also has to then react quickly he just goes silent.. pisses me off.. there is no need for it at all, and it just makes driving more strenuous for everyone... Having a nice big gap front and back is lovely!! You can soak up little speed changes without even dabbing the brake, you can see past the car ahead easily and react to things in a calmer way.
Ah, yes, the 40mph everywhere brigade. See them all too often.
A lot of people seem to just do 40 whatever the speed limit is. They really p155 me off.
They do and it always seems to be 40
Rural Ireland lass here, R and L roads are 80kmh yet people regularly do 100+, or in extreme cases, 120+, then continuing at 80+ through a 50.
Either they're excessively speeding or you have numpties doing *30* in an 80. Even the Garda don't follow the speed limit half the time.
And that's not even including all the boyracers you'll encounter goading you to fly down these roads at stupid speeds because you hurt their ego for daring to ride a motorcycle.
Oh it's the same here. i feel your pain.
The issue is many R roads in Ireland can handle 100kmh and doing so isn't excessively speeding, it is driving to the conditions. In the video you can see the speeds change and adapt to the road type and go up to 60mph where it is safe to do so. In Ireland a blanket approach is taken, R/L road is 80 no matter the condition or safety of the road. Rightly or wrongly people believe they are smart and this makes them question the validity of the limit, where they assess it doesn't make sense they break it (because there is little chance of punishment). Not understanding how structure drives human behaviour is a huge problem when it comes to road safety, it is why this video is an excellent point in identifying a problem ignored by policy makers. In Ireland, the RSA has reported 70% of people break urban speed limits and there solution is to lower the speed limits even more? Disconnect from reality.
On my visits to Co. Sligo, they all seem mad for the overtake.. Little crosses and flowers on the side of roads , show the results of bad driving.
You are absolutely bang on about the 40mph speed and best of all you are supported in this by Jeremy Clarkson. I am not a biker though my brother has been for 50 years and exactly the same applies to cars which try to keep to the limit - that is not get done for speeding - so that I get tailgated all the time in 20 and 30 limits but when I get into the 60 limit and travel at 55-60 mph, those same tailgaters are left way behind me. The only thing that I would point out is that I rely on the GPS for accurate speeds and not my speedo, which in one of my cars reads 10% fast.
Yeah the speedo is a good point. 10% is it really that much, wow.
Most cars speedos over-read by a few percent, as they can't be perfectly accurate, and under-reading would be legally problematic, so they are designed to over-read a bit. The trouble with GPS is that is a bit of a delay, so your measured speed will always be a bit behind if you're braking or accelerating. Also, if you're driving in roads with tall buildings, tunnels, or tree cover the signal might be quite poor, so might be erroneous readings or longer delays.
@@davem9204 I think I might be quite lucky with my GPS. The speed limit always changes on my satnav within just a few yards of the sign irrespective of slowing or accelerating.
@@HighlandRevs I´ve seen anything from 3-13% misreadings depending on make and year on cars. Bikes idk, but I reckon you´d find something similar. In Norway we have this car association called NAF, which used to take real measurements and put a sticker on your dash telling you how much off your specific car was. Nobody does this today, sadly - but I suspect there are still huge variations, and that this might be part of the problem. Not for the 45´ers though - they´re just horrible drivers. End of!
Kind of makes sense, if people have a speed they are comfortable driving at, it takes a conscious effort to stray from that comfort zone.
Driving can cause complacency and so naturally falling back to that speed could happen.
I think in a lot cases having drivers be too conscious of their speed leads to a lack of focus on driving or awareness of others, and that it is preferable for people to drive at a comfortable speed that makes sense within reason, now obviously for liability reasons and due to our inability to approach anything reasonably, everything has to mandated and everyone has to grip to the law.
You know what else really grinds my gears? Drivers who pull out of lane 1 into lane 2 at a set of traffic lights to then not progress to the merge point and move back to lane 1 in pretty much the position they were in.
Again yeah this ones common
60 might be the speed limit on that particular road, but it doesn’t mean you have to do it, pass them out if they’re holding you up.
Ah, this is a universal phenomenon! I live in a rural part of the netherlands, and I experience the same thing every day. What I've observed is that at least 75% of these oblivious drivers are older people. I believe they just can't or won't focus enough on driving. Here, I'd like to point out the many benefits of our bus services. Just saying...
Don't forget, vans & trucks etc are limited to 50mph on a single carriageway road - I'm sure this causes more frustration for road user's who aren't limited.
Over many years of driving I have been on a couple of speed awareness courses & it leaves me speechless hearing other driver's lack of knowledge regarding speed limits on different roads.
I always do my best to stay in the limits, whether I'm driving a van, car or riding my bike.
Some people just like driving as close as they can, then not overtaking when the opportunity arises.
Very annoying when they do that 🤬
Very true. I've always been confused though on motorways, regularly see HGVs doing 70.
Also there's the stealth speed limit for a vehicle that's running on a spare tyre, or punctured run-flats: usually 50 mph for most of those types of tyre. Nothing about a vehicle to tell you that's the case unless they have a big sticker on the space saver and you happen to see it.
... & as the speed awareness course teaches us - "it's a speed limit - not a target"
I always stick to the 50mph limit on single carriageway roads & I regularly get abuse off drivers who think I should drive faster.
It's a bad rule in my opinion - they should keep the same limit for all traffic, maybe compromise at 55mph?
You are spot on with your observations it happens every single time I ride my bike. Sometimes they follow me so close in a 30 I’m reluctant to brake hard in case I became wallpaper on their bonnet.😤😤😤
100% with you makes you think twice about applying the brake
It isn't helped by so many speed limits being seemingly set arbitrarily and too low. When you've got wide straight roads (including dual carriageways) with few hazards and virtually no pedestrian activity or access with 30 or even 20 mph limits, it is little wonder drivers get frustrated. You could be driving along a NSL road that suddenly becomes a 40mph limit only because it's in a different county.
The 40-everywhere drivers have existed as long as I've been driving, and seem to be in every part of the country!
Yeah I often wonder about what criteria certain authorities use to set the speed limit. Someone of them don’t make much sense.
Something my blues instructor said
"Most people drive unconsciously, if they have an accident, they remember what happened at the point of the accident and afterwards and reconstruct the events leading to it from there."
I drive on blues like everyone is trying to kill me. I intend to ride the same.
I know exactly who you´re talking about! In Norway we call them 70kph drivers. They won´t do 80 on the country roads like we´re allowed to, but they will happily continue into 60 or 50 kph zones at the exact same speed! It´s like they don´t even reckognize anything beyond their own dashboard.
We also have the numnutz that don´t understand motorways and the purpose of the onramps, keeping 60kph into 110kph traffic till the last 10 metres. That´s just dangerous! Even the big rigs are doing 90 out there, and they normally keep to the outside where you want to enter...
I've just lost the 9 points that I had on my licence (thank fudge) but for the past 4 years I have religiously stuck to 30, 40 and 50mph speed limits and it's been the scariest and most dangerous thing that I've ever had to do on the bike in the 35 years that I've been riding.
I've had people tailgate me, honk the horn, flash their lights, throw handsigns, verbally abuse me, throw things out of their vans, overtake me and brakecheck me and one guy even followed me into a petrol station to give me his opinion on my riding, from a safe distance, through his open window, before driving off very quickly once I took a step in his direction.
Women were worse than blokes 🤷♂
Well done getting the points off. You're right when you stick to the limit like you did it really shows the worst in the drivers around you. Some crazy reactions to you going the speed limit, eh!
All you can ever control is yourself. Other people will drive differently depending on their Mood, Ability, Eyesight ect. I ride my bike faster than i drive my van.
All should be made to ride a motorbike for at least 12 months before they are allowed behind the steering wheel of a car so they get a real true understanding of road awareness and real road safety. When in traffic much of the time you can tell which car drivers are motorcyclists by their actual road sense and spacial awareness.
@@cloudbasenirvana right on the nose man well stated
Stoic words.
@@cloudbasenirvanaI couldn't agree more...100%
In my experience, all the traffic I overtake on the country roads end up right up behind me at the next village/town because I'm probably one of the few that actually respects urban speed limits (I'll do 32 mph). At the same time, all the cars zooming ahead of me in towns, doing 40mph, I'm catching up to them and overtaking them at the next open road.
Exactly right that’s how it is for me most of the time.
you are referring to what we call in the biz: mono-speeder. One speed for every road. usually 40.
Every-time you encounter one you should say '40's not naughty' and that apparently causes them to explode.
I will certainly keep that in mind for the future :)
I think people who are old or not confident think 40 'is fast enough'. One of my pet peeves.
This is endemic in East Sussex. They can only do 40mph. Trouble is they do it everywhere 60,50,40,30, or Sainsbury’s car park. When you overtake them in a 60 limit, they get really angry and flash lights, wave fists I’ve had one chase me. It’s appalling driving but no one seems to care. I can only assume it’s the incompetence of driving instructors.
I've never understood why people get so upset when they get overtaken. If you're driving at 20mph below the limit, then you should expect it to happen. I don't think it's down to driving instructors, more of an inbuilt attitude in some drivers.
Some people are just idiots that get emotional at things their brain can't work out. I had full on road rage from a guy once. I was stuck behind a middle lane moron on a motorway.. there was more than enough of a gap to get into the overtaking queue when I started the manoeuvre but the guy behind had decided I shouldn't be allowed to so he floored it to shut the door (to this day I don't know why anyone would need to do that but they drove one of those big 4x4 warrior things so guess they felt like king of the road or something).
Anyway I had committed to the overtake going with the flow of traffic and since he had bombed up behind I had no choice but to carry on.
After I pulled back over a few seconds later The guy proceeded to get his very young son to throw coins out of the car window at me, and also pulled in front sharply and slammed brakes on several times... At one point Even coming to a full stop on the motorway just to try and force me to pass so he could carry on the attack.. ( I just slowed down behind him... I am not stupid).
It's seriously a problem for some people.. they get so wound up about little things! As a motorcycle rider when someone pulls out in front of me I am not getting wound up... I see it happening and just adjust myself accordingly then carry on. I don't get this becoming enraged at stuff behind the wheel thing.
Yes, definitely come across it, and it's frustrating. I'm a car driver. Sometimes I've been stuck behind someone like this in a 50 or a 60, waiting for an overtaking opportunity, then we come to a 30 and they leave me behind, because I'm obeying the speed limit and they aren't. In the next 60 I've missed overtaking opportunities while catching them up again, and then I'm stuck behind them again.
I've been pretty careful to obey limits since I had to do a speed awareness course a few years back, but several other attendees had literally NO IDEA what the speed limits were on different kinds of road. One suggested 30 for a dual carriageway! Clearly some drivers are oblivious.
Horrible experience. Well said re the overtaking opportunity being missed i have experienced this so many times. Scary the lack of knowledge of some drivers
I'm glad somebody else is talking about this. It's been a bugbear of mine for years. I also have had people blow their horns at me for doing 20 in a twenty zone. I try hard to observe the limits in built up areas and find even the busses get miffed at me.
Same exactly. I feel your pain. I always do my very best to comply with 20s and the aggravation you open yourself up to is insane.
I'll probably get some pelters for this, but, part of the problem is the inconsistent way that speed limits are introduced in a lot of cases. Take at about 4:10 you were in a 40mph, then at the 5:00 minute mark you enter a 50mph and there is very little to differentiate between the two in terms of being a built up area, school, businesses etc. This is also the case in many 30-40-30 transitions where the actual make up of the area doesn't differ widely enough for drivers to have acknowledge the change in use and adjust the speed according to the prevailing conditions, or the length of the speed limit is too short, particularly for local drivers. I'd question some of the use of the double white lines in places as from the video it appears that forward visibility is suitable to allow overtaking.
With the above said about the perception and inconsistent introduction of speed limits, it is worth remembering that the speed limit is a limit and not a target speed, and all drivers should drive at a speed that is appropriate to the road and weather conditions.
nooooooooo. it is just drive to the contitions, letting people have the idea of its a limit not a target is just plain dumb. leaves too many picking some truly inapropriate speeds on some much higher speed roads, its just bad.
@@Gazzxy How does anyone know that the speed the driver hasn't chosen is appropriate to them based on the conditions of their vehicle, their experience, the confidence level with the vehicle? Because another driver may feel confident in driving at the speed limit, it doesn't automatically translate that every driver does. If the driver behind the slower vehicle is so impatient, they can always overtake, restrictions not preventing, when a safe opportunity to do so presents itself.
That's a decent point of view. I think others might suggest that we should all be able to drive to a minimum set standard that would allow us to drive at the maximum permitted speed when conditions allow. I think the confidence argument implies that their driving abilities arn't what perhaps they should be. 60 MPH on a straight road should be achievable for those who passed a driving test.
I like your point on the double white lines. I had a look at some of the footage and the position of them did seem a bit strange and perhaps prevent an overtake in what looked like a decent position.
@@HighlandRevs I don't disagree, that is what the driving test should enable us to achieve, that opens up a very big can of worms! as a motorcyclists you will know better the standards of driving are questionable, with those that have just passed and or have been driving for a while, I'm sure you have had your fair share of or know people who've had the SMDSY!! Stay safe out there!!
as a driver with a blackbox i experience bs like this everyday. im a fast driver when im on those country roads and i always have people up my ass on thirty's and overtaking me in 20s but they ALWAYS slow me down on the country roads because they refuse to do 60 even on the straights. So SO irritating. you have really highlighted some very good points here.
You have described it perfectly. Having the box ensuring you don’t exceed the limit means you’re best placed to understand this. It’s exactly right they’ll be up you in the 30s but will be causing you problems in the 60 road.
PS. White transit vans are always the worst perpetrator for this
The 40/40 Brigade (40 in a 60, 40 in a 30). They're everywhere unfortuately.
Haha love that name. Will use it.
Yes, it’s like they only know one speed to drive at. 😂
One thing I get a lot is being tailgated in a 30 or 40mph limit, but when I accelerate promptly when the limit increases, the gap suddenly increases massively. These people aren't remotely looking or ever aware of the signs or what the current speed limit is. And I don't have a fast vehicle - it's a 22-year-old 1.6 litre Ford Focus.
Yeah usually a long delay before bringing up to the speed. Or speeding before the limit change.
100% with you on this one. I’m all for spirited riding outside of town where the situation and speed limit allows, but always rein it in around town.
The type of driving you highlight is commonplace throughout the UK, especially the south east. There is a complete disregard for the safety of others.
The standard of driving in the UK is simply horrendous. This isn’t the usual young / inexperienced driver issue. It’s every age and demographic of driver. ‘Professional’ i.e. delivery / taxi / lorry / coach drivers are usually the worst!
There is no one to enforce the rules and submitting dash-cam footage of reckless drivers is a fruitless exercise.
Add to that the state of our roads and it’s no surprise road deaths and serious injuries are on the up.
Yeah 100% across every demographic and the roads, oh don't get me started on the roads.
Getting close to the car in front to try and get them to go faster is as clever as putting your hand in the toaster to stop your ur toast burning. At the end of the day if someone is going slow, they are easier to overtake. Especially on a long straight road. Also hanging back gives you more run up for the overtake and space to reject plus time to react to pot holes
Yeah I’m with you on this.
I’m training to be a driving instructor. In preparation for my part 2 driving test, I’m practising being disciplined with speed limits. The other day on a dual carriageway where I live, I took a mouthful of verbal abuse as I dropped my speed down in time for the 40 limit. Something along the lines of “what the f!ck are you doing you tosser” was yelled out of the passenger window in my direction as he over took at about 60/65mph. This will be my life when I qualify!
Those are the people who annoyingly won't get caught speeding whereas someone doing just a bit over the limit will.
I have had the same observation myself. 40 mph all the time, whether it's a 30 or a 60. REALLY frustrating and it can be intimidating when someone comes barrelling up behind you and then sits on your back wheel or bumper. If you had to brake suddenly, then you know they would go right into the back of you.
I feel exactly what you're saying. Plenty of drivers here do 70, and that's it. 70 instead of 50, and 70 instead of 90 (in km/h). Now, on the bike nothing bothers me, but boy oh boy when I'm driving... Most of the time I just can't pass them with the way traffic is. Worst is when they come back to overtake you in towns, since they can't slow down either, and now all of us have to try and pass them again until the next town. And the cycle continues.
I have always said that the average motorist is less aware of driving conditions and braking distances than the average biker.We have two small strips of rubber to keep us safe not four and a metal box.Speed limits are made for a reason and that reason is the safety of all road users. I hate tailgating and impatient drivers once they've passed their tests they think the Highway Code doesn't relate to them.Having said that some bikers can be very stupid in the way they ride,thinking they are at a track day somewhere.
I have to agree with you for sure. I'm with you on the speed and tailgating. Yeah sometimes we don't do ourselves any favours.
i think honestly it's because so many people out there are simply scared of driving and do not enjoy doing it, therefore do just what ever they feel comfortable with irrespective of the other road users. I think coming from a perspective of someone who enjoys motor vehicles and driving it's hard to view it from the perspective of someone that hates that and only does it out of necessity as it tends to be those drivers that display this sort of behaviour.
Yeah could be a factor
Maybe it's the fear of a fine.
I can say I have been caught out with limits from time to time.. signs covered by foliage or just hectic things happening that caused you to miss a speed change.. and that is from the perspective of an observant driver. We all know most simply are not, so maybe it's their way of playing it safe and not having to concentrate so much
This sounds about right certainly most people are in this category
This is what happens when you get people who are impatient, but lack the necessary skill/confidence to actually drive to the speed limit on faster roads, when conditions allow.
It's a pet peeve of mine, and I've actually had instances where I've been approaching a 60 from a 30, and the car behind just couldn't wait and has overtaken me before I've even reached the change in speed limit... only to then sit doing 45. Like, my dude, I was going to be doing 60 if only you'd have waited - now YOU'RE under MY feet!
100% experienced stuff like that its a nightmare
Remember, some of these drivers are new drivers who might be nervous, probably less that 10% but still worth remembering.
Then why are they speeding in a 30/40? Why no safe distance to the vehicle ahead so anyone making progress from behind can move into the safe space in front of you? Its just lazy/me-first attitude driving and it sucks.
Probably the same drivers that don't signal right on the motorways half the time &/or can't maintain a set speed. See someone passing them, oh no.. I must speed up!
It makes me wonder what the rest of these peoples lives are like tbh.
Love this it mirrors my thoughts exactly. I drive a van for work and because it’s over 2 tonnes the national speed limit for me on these single carriageway country roads is 50 mph not 60. My vehicle is also speed monitored and I have a tracker fitted so to avoid any reprimand I kinda have to stick to limits. The amount of frustration in other road users because I change my speed accordingly is off the charts bad. The lack of patience and risk taking for me at least is an everyday occurrence.
Yeah I feel your pain. When you are consciously having to stick to the limit can bring the worst out in other drivers.
I can explain this phenomena quite simply. People don't check the speed limit or look at their speedometer. They drive at a speed they feel comfortable at with little care for what is going on around them. It's unfortunately quite a common behaviour for humans to simply go into auto pilot mode when doing anything repetitive, there is no real solution to this issue other than remaining vigilant in case of encounters with such people.
I think you are right @nathang4570, definitely Autopilot
The typical 4 wheeler can't drive, and has no idea how badly they can't drive. And honestly believe that EVERYONE ELSE ON EARTH is the problem, instead of the 1 constant, which is them.
Haha i think we are all guilty of thinking everyone else is the problem but you raise a good point.
@@olysean92 a solid stint on a motorcycle makes you a better motorist for life .. or dead. It's a good way to weed out bad skill.
On a bike I tend to just pass them, but while in my car, I see it all the time, 40 on a 60mph road, holding up 20-30 cars behind them.
They would fail a driving test for not adhering to the speed limit, due to no confidence.
Here in Norway there is lot of people that drive in 60km/h in the 80km/h zone, when they come to a 50 zone in small villages they still drive at 60km/h, and when they come to a 90km/h zone they still drive at 60km/h, they have only one speed... Also lot of people that generally drive 10 to 20km/h under the speed limit out on the country side and when they comet to a city or town they keep 10km/h over the speed limit (which in the 30km/h zone is a 1000€ fine....).
Try riding in Wales where the speed limit is 20 in built up areas. Every other car overtakes you in town, making it incredibly dangerous for motorcyclists. Even push bikes overtake, and then they're all in the way once you reach the national speed limit. Madness!
It's exactly the same in Australia. Shits me to tears.
There's a particular spot I use all the time that's 50km/h for a few metres of country road. If I sit on 50 until the 100km/h zone, they pass me and then sit on 75km/h all the way to the next town.
The next town has road works that are all 40km/h. They drive through them at 75.
Just let them pass you if they’re too close. Keep yourself out of harms way.
Car driving standards are absolutely appalling nowadays and with way too many distractions.
I totally agree with everything you have said, those type of drivers are the most dangerous and have no consideration for anyone else on the road or even pedestrians in the 30 zones.
I does create an element of danger. I think you are right.
Wow, you have some long straight roads up there! Beautiful scenery though. I live in South Wales where the limit in towns was recently reduced to 20 mph. Try sticking to that one and you'll get cars literally one foot from your rear mudguard 😬 But exactly as you state, as soon as you get to the twisties, they just don't do the speed limit! 🤬
There are some pretty spots. I bet it’s the same down your way. I know, I was interested to find out the impact of the wide spread 20 limit. I can imagine we have a couple of 20s here and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it’s impossible to maintain that with traffic behind you, because of tailgating.
Nothing wrong with 20mph limits .
@SKBKER my 2001 Bonneville is not a massive fan when it's hot, oil temp gets high fast! Need to get to the twisties quickly for some airflow 😆
@maximumscrunch I can understand that . I ride electric so don't have issues . For city riding it works great .
@SKBKER no doubt we'll all be riding electric motorcycles one day! They are getting better looking...🤔
It's not just the UK, in Australia they are the same.
One answer is to adjust the road around the target speed..
Eg narrow the road when the speed limit lowers..
Read that suggestion earlier today. It’s interesting never thought about it that way.
Couldn't agree more. I came back to bikes after a little 40-year break, and I like to do my riding out in the sticks in my native Northumberland. I started a channel of such, and I like to ride in a safe but 'spirited' fashion, shall we say, away from traffic, schools, roundabouts, etc, sweeping along the winding country lanes.
But. The moment I come back from the sticks and enter the town traffic, I slow to the speed limits for two reasons....a) I have gotten the speed urges out of my system on the country lanes and b) the speed limits make perfect sense around the busy sub urban town traffic.
I also see the bad driving around me, it's very noticeable, as is some drivers' bad attitude to motorcycles. As you say, for no good reason whatsoever many drive too close behind, and go too fast for the conditions and congestion. Tiny, little Fiat's and works vans overtake me with much reving of engine to gain one place further ahead at a junction. I could destroy them, of course, with one whiff of my throttle, were I so foolish to engage, but as you say and lo and behold come the dual carriageway and they do 45mph!
At least it's made me a better driver when in my car 🤪
Glad you returned to it! Great driving down in Northumberland. You describe it exactly and i think you are right experience from the bike does extend over to the car most of the time.
I thought this only happened to me. I reckon a lot of drivers somehow compute the average speed of a stretch of road. My commute takes me along a road that changes frequently between 30mph and 50mph. Low and behold, drivers take the average and drive bang on 40mph. Worst still, they either tailgate at the lower speed or prevent me from overtaking at the higher speed. It's utterly bonkers and incredibly frustrating.
The trick is to keep a good distance from the vehicle in front and just settle in at their pace. I often find that if I do this the tailgater behind also drops back.
I can see that working. Good advice.
That is in my experience rare. Lost count of the tailgating I have had while being behind another car myself. As if I can just go faster regardless.. and I leave enough space for someone to overtake into so it's not that. Honestly there are just a lot of idiots out there.
This has long been discussed in my family. We still have no definitive answer as to whether this is caused by ignorance, stupidity, or both.
We may never get one. Wish I had one though.
Speed limit is an incorrect description. Rather consider it the speed of a designated section for road and it will be easier to align.
It comes down to their perception of the road width. Drivers will naturally driver as fast as they feel comfortable driving on wider roads. But will reduce their speed on narrower roads. Country roads often feel narrow. Even when they're not actually that narrow. Suburban roads often feel wider even when they're not. Country roads often have hedges and fences right next to the road. making it feel closed in. Suburban roads have pavements that make the road feel wider than it is. This gives drivers a false sense of security on suburban roads. Especially if it's a straight road.
On a side note. Most country roads probably shouldn't be national speed limit roads. Mostly because private car drivers can't handle changes in driving conditions. The new 20mph limit in Wales is already paying dividends in reduced accidents and fatalities.
The 45s have been about for a while
But what I’ve noticed nowadays is cars doing 50ish in the outside lane of a motorway taking about 5 miles to overtake a lorry and refuse to pull back over once passed ,then they travel in the outside for miles
With nothing in the inside lane
Yeah that really is frustrating see it all the time
I see this all the time too in Germany. So frustrating. They blast through the residental area way over speed limit but then slug around at 70% speed limit outside of it. Not to mention their Autobahn behaviour.
I feel like its the driving instructors fault too. They freak out when you go the speed limit. "Are you in a hurry?"
You could be on to something there.
I totally agree with you. It seems to be a common failing. These people cause a lot of accidents.
Yeah i think it does lead to worse driving by everyone around them
Hahaha my brother and I were having this very conversation just last week, is awsome that we are not the only ones to notice this, an I completely agree with you it's so dangerous, it also seems to alter your state on mind and riding style to that more inline of the asbo master, I was filming a vid 2 days ago were a car broke every speed limit for 8 miles then on the duel carriageway (with central barrier) decided 55-58 was acceptable in the overtaking lane Wen the main lane was totally clear which then pushes you to undertake... Speed awareness and discipline in this country is is out of control and out the window.
Excellent vid btw, good job thumbs up dude
Sitting in the fast lane ahh it’s another issue that causes us all frustration
Totally with you on this. What compounds the problem is that no one seems able to overtake slow moving traffic anymore. You always end up with a convoy of 8 or 10 cars bunched up too close following a tractor, HGV, cyclists etc because nobody has the cojones to overtake even when the road and conditions allow. These will be the same drivers happy to do 35-40 in a 39 zone though. People are just getting weird, I don’t understand their logic…
Yeah i think you are right. I witness a lot less overtakes these days
If that were only caused by inherently slow vehicles... but in truth, it's more often due to the 40 mph enthusiasts.
I call them "40 everywhere" drivers, and they annoy the hell out of me. I live in a village in the Trossachs and the road into it is a 60, reducing to a 40, then a 30 through the village. The amount of times I see people leaving me behind (or catching me) in the 30 or 40, but then doing 40 in the 60 is unreal.
With the van behind, best to let them get past sooner rather than later to get rid of that worry. The biggest danger on the roads is anger/frustration. If you see stuff like that all the time, you know its gonna happen, it's best to not let it get to you as it has a negative effect on decision making
You’re 100% right. Will try to plan to allow vehicles like that overtake in future. Agree with you on the negative impact of it getting worked up.
If you randomly ask people what the national speed limit is, They won't have a clue
I am going to try that. Conduct a small sample study.
On my bike I always add 2mph to the correct limit. For example 32mph in a 30 and yet I still have tailgaiters.
Its soo dangerous incase someone pulls out infront of me and I do an emergency stop that rear car is gonna go into the back of me.
Whenever they do 40 in a 60 I flash my lights at them.
Yeah i think my bike is probably about 2mph out as well on the speedo. Like you still have tailgaters
I ride, drive a sports car and drive a bus at work so have vast experience.
There is no excuse for not adjusting to a lower limit. However like so many ppl you confuse the speed limit with a speed target. Yes it’s frustrating but every one has different reactions, vehicles, limitations, perception of hazards and some ppl just want a better safety cushion.
An example of this is me in my bus leaving multiple bus lengths in front of me. Then someone seeing my huge gap decides to jump in to it. This forces me to drop back more to get the gap back. No one asked why is that gap there… ooo I fit in there it’s moving a little faster it’s mine. Well done you just put your self in a 18tone tanks breaking zone. If it goes wrong the firemen will have a hard time separating your body from the wreckage….. whats good for you is not good for others
Road rage everywhere on the Wirral Merseyside because of 20mph in stupid places Wirral followed suit with Wales,locals here hate you for doing 20mph my car hates it in 2nd gear it uses more fuel.
Driver doing 45 in a 60 maybe a tourist and is just plodding along and it sounds like you on the bike is moaning at him lol so i'm confused if it's about road rage and drivers not wanting to do the full max limit we have overtaking points forthose who want to do the max too !
I can imagine, 20s are not fun. Could have been a tourist, not sure if the Naval base we were passing was that interesting even to a tourist though. Haha i was moaning but hopefully he couldn't hear me. Yeah in an ideal world we would overtake although there aren't a lot of great opportunities for that on this road. This stretch is a single carriage for quite a few miles, which is what i think leads to people's frustration.
The number of times I’ve been driving down the bypass near me, which is a dual carriageway and people are faffing around doing 55-60 tops blows my mind. I truly believe they don’t know what the speed limits are.
The same thing goes for people on A roads in a national speed limit zone, but they random brake for speed cameras even though they’re within the limit. They clearly don’t know what they’re doing!
We’re far too lax in ensuring standards for driving in this country. At the minimum we need to introduce mandatory retests for theory and hazard perception when people renew their licenses! The general lack of awareness and interest in looking after themselves and fellow road users is so concerning. People don’t even follow the basics of good road craft now, mirror signal manoeuvre. Had a lad on a motorcycle pull into a junction I was sitting at today. Didn’t signal, didn’t even do a shoulder check before turning in, completely oblivious.
Yeah i'm with you, i think you are right.
i find everyone drives differently when theres a bike on the road
some people drive like theyre scared of the bike and others act like they wanna race the bike
Agree
Whenever I've seen people that do 40 everywhere (even in 30s) they're normally old. They're generally safe drivers aside from the fact that they speed through 30 zones at 40.
I agree, however, I've found some speedometers are well wrong so you think you are doing 30 when you are really doing just over 25.
You are absolutely correct though, there are so many crawlers. I've been stuck behind cars driving 10 - 15 mph under the speed limit.
Yeah I don't know why the speedometer reads slow by about 10% .had a Vstrom and now triumph tiger both out by about 10%, so I use GPS navigation instead of having to remember to make adjustments to what bike says. Plus, is handy for going places not familiar with. I'm in Nz and find lots of people in a hurry in 50-60 kph roads and tailgating, but when you get to 100 kph roads they drop back most times .
What bugs me the most is when you get someone doing 40mph in a 50 zone but when the speed limit changes to 40 they drop to 30mph. I'm like, "you could do 40 a minute ago, why the hell can't you do it now?"
And then, if you ever get the chance to query them on this behaviour, you usually get the template response "Well, xx mph is the MAXIMUM speed limit". I reckon there should also be rulings that state a minimum speed limit for each speed zone as well, where, if you are going below it without any cause to do so (i.e. turning or hazard avoidance), you should get prosecuted for obstructing the flow of traffic.
Maybe 10% of the maximum limit would be a good start. So, for example, in a 50 zone, anything less than 45 is an obstruction. 60 zone, below 54mph would be prosecutable, and so on and so forth.
Thats the thing the law is pretty silent on minimum speeds even on motorways etc. It a curious thing.
I've been riding/driving for 59 years. I still ride a BMW XR and an AMG Mercedes. I am IAM qualified.
Yes it's frustrating to follow vehicles that are driving well below the speed limit, but, it is a speed maximum not a speed requirement.
Advanced driving teaches you to always drive to the prevailing conditions. And if the prevailing condition is a slow driver you drive taking full account of their speed.
If the opportunity arises when you can make progress you can overtake.
Yet, you fail the road exam if you drive/ride under the speed limit. It's a MAJOR fault. One MAJOR and you're out. I had to retake mine because I decided to ride slowly (low 20s instead of 30) in a hilly village full of speed bumps and pedestrian crossings in cold, rainy weather. Go figure.
I ride a motorbike and drive a work van every day. I see this every day. I'm only allowed 50mph on single carriageway in my van and it frustrates the drivers behind me but there's nothing I can do about it, I value my clean license too much. I laughed at the car park comment, both me and my wife park away from people and you can bet a BMW parks right up against you when you get back.
Yeah protecting that clean licence means you have to put up with some crazy driving (tailgating etc)
I drive a company van and am also a new biker and i keep to the speed limit depending on conditions.
And what you have shown, personally i think it should be incorporated into driving tests. I wouldn’t say as a test as there’s enough already but to ad another layer of awareness.
Cars doing 45mph on a motorway or 50mph basically shutting the motorway down to 2 lanes and forcing all the HGV’s into lane two has got to be the worst thing I’ve seen and it’s happening more often.
Agree with you seen it a lot recently
@@HighlandRevs probably too busy watching the mpg instead of mph
Excellent vid there Mr Highland Revs on a subject close to my heart, made more interesting for me as I used to live on the Kilcreggan peninsular, and I know those roads very well. 2 points: firstly, I suspect that many drivers are on autopilot; their primary brain activity is elsewhere: the radio, chatting, etc. It's why one frequently encounters the constant 45mph driver, regardless of speed limit. Secondly, with few exceptions, the speed limits are there for very good reasons: at 20mph in a busy pedestrianised area, there is a good chance that you could perform a successful emergency stop if a child, animal, or adult steps out without thinking. There are exceptions to limits being "there for a good reason" I reckon. One such is the 20mph on the A827 between Kenmore and Lawyers: it is a country road with a few bends, and a few drive openings to private houses. It should be a 40 or 50. I can't work out why it's 20, but I suspect local jiggery-pokery! One last point: if as a biker you decide to just enjoy the ride, the views, and have a relaxing poddle (as I was doing on Ardnamurchan earlier in the week), and a vehicle comes up behind, let it pass at the earliest opportunity, otherwise ride at the speed limit when safe to do so. End of rant. 😂
@@chrismithchrismith thanks for this comment. Agree with you entirely. I like the description autopilot. Good point with that road. Very correct about enjoying the ride and letting those behind with attitude get past. Actually did that on a ride today and it’s like a weight off your shoulders once they’re past you.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that the Police should investigate drivers going significantly below the speed limit when the road conditions do not dictate that a slower speed is necessary.
I've always been told that this happened but never seen it
your lucky, in Wales , we now have 20MPH almost everywhere, where it used to be 30MPH & Car Drivers are very inconsistent in their adherence 😞
I heard. I think that sounds painful
Didn't they do it on the premise that people tend to drive over the limit and therefore by lowering it it's now bringing people more in line with the original 30 limit imposed. Pretty odd approach when enforcement of existing limits is prolific enough and there were still plenty of 20mph limits around.
Glad the algo picked this up, you've earned a new sub! Always have the same problem in Ireland. I'm a spirited (but legal) driver, and especially on the twisties it's very frustrating to get stuck behind someone sitting at 60km/h regardless of whether the limit is 50 or 80...
I've been driving since 2019 but recently got my learner's permit on the bike, so I can't wait to have someone sniffing my numberplate on that!
My bike has cruise control down to 18 so when I'm in a 20/30/40 I just set it appropriately unless the conditions aren't right for it, saves me getting tired of holding a slow speed in a long section. I don't much care if people are pushing it on the open road but as someone who comes from a rural community I don't like speeding at all through built up areas because it's someone's home and community and the deserve to enjoy it in peace and safety so anyone coming up behind me can seethe all the want. The people I hate the most are the ones doing 40 or less in the dark with their high beams off where you have to dazzle them just to find out if it's safe to pass.
Thats a respectful position. Also it takes a strong mindset to have drivers behind you and not to increase your speed. Good stuff.
It's people acting as social justice warriors.. they see motorcycle riders as hooligans that need to be taught a lesson... Lost count of the amount of times a driver will pull out of a junction to get in front of me, forcing me to brake, despite there being no-one behind me and only needing to wait 5 seconds. They then proceed to drive very slowly as if they are the pace car in a race. It's just people's psychology of not wanting anyone else to enjoy themselves because their life is empty and miserable
This is something that occurs in NZ as well.
I have a works vehicle which is GPS monitored, the organisation gets a weekly report highlighting overspending and excessive braking/acceleration/cornering loads, so I stick religiously to the limit. You are correct that sticking to the limit does piss people off.
Driving excessively slow causes frustration and can cause others to take unnecessary risks.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Seems to be a truly global issue. Makes it difficult to stick to the limit with pissed off drivers behind you i would say.
The bit that frustrates me is having to change gear behind these types of driver, to much up and down, while trying to make progress and good fuel economy, on a bike or in the car.
Great video, interesting indeed 👍
Agree, it can be really tiresome shifting constantly with someone in front varying their speed without reason constantly.
There have been extensive studies. Roads have a natural speed limit where 80% of users will comply with the limits with no problem. Artificially lowering these limits will cause problems including lack of attention, frustration, road rage and crashes. Lower limits equate to each vehicle spending more time on a given piece of road which in turn causes congestion. Unfortunately, lower limits mean different levels of liability for repairing the infrastructure. Don't put 20mph limits outside schools; teach the kids to cross the road safely and give them a life skill.
That’s interesting. I think 80% feels about right in my experience. What do you think about advisory 20 limits. I feel most responsible drivers would reduce their speed around a school regardless of the limit?
This behaviour should be investigated, as it's commonplace no matter where you live. Where I live there are quite a few 'average speed' cameras, generally in 50MPH zones.
These drones go 30MPH in these zones. They think they're being "super safe" only doing 30/40MPH in national speed limit areas, but in truth the speeding in 30MPH areas in much more dangerous.
I agree. They always tend to speed in the 30s after going slow on the nationals.
I failed my test the first time on stopping on a give way when nothing was coming and driving 25 in a 30mph , he said I was holding up traffic ( I agree with him )
Yeah valid point. I remember myself a learner failing a CBT test for not getting up to 50 on a dual carriage way.
I'm an hgv driver and many a time on a 3 lane motorway if I'm in lane 2 overtaking a slower vehicle in lane 1 and I'm travelling at my maximum speed on the limiter at 56mph some cars drivers will speed right up behind and then just sit there whilst lane 3 is completely empty and they could easily overtake me, then once I have moved back to lane 1 they shoot off like a bat out of hell. Its like they think they're not allowed to use the 3rd lane to overtake me. I just don't get it
Most road users miss a lot of signs and markings, and haven't read a highway code since they were on L plates.