I found your channel and I'm enjoying it greatly. I've been driving 40yrs and over that time have noticed a decline in driving standards. IMO too many people don't enjoy the process of driving, it is simply a means to an end, to get to work, shops, drop the kids off, consequently their mind is elsewhere. Add to this mobile phones, Satnavs, and touchscreens for functions that should be on a separate control and its no wonder why we see the incidents on UA-cam dashcam videos. Ultimately it's all about "them" safe in their car. I'd class myself as a motoring enthusiast, I really enjoy driving, and score myself on (longer) drives, the aim being to get a perfect score, I find this helps me pay attention and anticipate hazards; and of course if you really want to learn how to anticipate hazards ride a motorcycle! Now it's time to mention something that really annoys me; when in queuing traffic I wish drivers would use the parking brake when stationary, the eye level brake light burning into my retina is not pleasant, especially in the wet. and not everyone drives an auto and even they have parking brakes. Electronic parking brakes even release as you drive off. Anyway, old man rant over, keep up the good work, we need more people to watch videos like yours.
When I was learning to drive nearly 20yrs ago, I was told that driving requires you to be actively thinking at all times. The problem is that many people just get in a car a drive it, with no active thought process, get in and switch off or go to auto pilot, especially commuter & school runs. For them, it's far easier to just move into lane 2 and just sit there, brain off. Moving in and out requires too much effort.
Great video and nice idea for a series. One possible idea - how to deal with tailgaters following too close and how to manage space around you when other road users compromise that safe space. (Is that two questions ... nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition etc. :) )
With the current weather situation, a session on winter driving would be very helpful for most, because in this country, most people are absolutely clueless when it comes to driving safely and correctly. I use 2 sets of tyres, summer and winter, they prove their worth in icy, frosty and snowy conditions. But you can't just rely on your tyres. Technique needs to match also.
Get out of the way of possible conflict by planning ahead. In a merging lane, move away from it if. (left in my case) If you can't, position yourself staggered so the traffic can move laterally without problems. This works everywhere in traffic. And remember some drivers are still going to barge through without looking...
An idea for a video Ashley would be planning on a motorway, overtaking, when to staying in a lane to continue overtaking especially on two lane motorways, leaving and joining etc.
A great vid as always Ashley! This explanation was really interesting because I've noticed the lane straddle in some of your other vids (I think there was one with an angry taxi driver who couldn't understand why you were doing it - surprise surprise!) so it was nice to hear the ins and outs of it. Thank you for making us all better drivers!
"Blessed with dual carriageways". It's amazing how different life is over here in the States. The main road that runs through our small city is 4 lanes each side and that's not at all uncommon. About 3 miles from my house is a freeway interchange with 26 lanes. If you take a long trip up the California coast the highway will drop down to two lanes in especially rural areas. Single lane roads are somewhat rare. This, of course, presents its own set of problems which California drivers are more than willing to demonstrate on the regular.
ye, european cities are very narrow because they were designed and built hundreds of years ago and you usually have a lot of issues on the road due to this (there are some exceptions, especially in cities that got bombed heavily in WW2 like here in Germany). It's really an advantage if you can start off with a clean slate and design cities around expected traffic instead of having to design traffic around existing structures.
@@Asto508 I'm not sure how much of an advantage it truly is. The U.S. is such a car culture yet there is so much chaos when it comes to traffic discipline. The rules are quite different here. Straddling a lane, for any reason, is an instant ticket if a cop catches you. Yet, we are allowed to pass on the left or the right regardless of traffic conditions. The rules are just... wrong!
@@russsuter6858 Well, one thing are the rules, the other is the road infrastructure. I also think certain rules are stupid, but to punish lane straddling is certainly not, because it's almost always a sign of a driver who is either drunk or texting. In my country, it's also perfectly fine to overtake left or right if you are "in town". It's only forbidden on the highway though and that is an example of a good rule. Regarding road discipline, you also have european countries such as Italy or eastern european countries where people's driving is way more insane than in the US, believe me.
@@MrJohnny3shoes Well it's not. Ashely has even made video's about undertaking before. There are of course some circumstances where it is legal (If the car in front of you is turning right, if the right lanes have slower-moving traffic, on a one way road, etc.) but those are rare.
"I'm taking up this straddle position here..." And yet you failed to do your usual trick of magically attracting taxis from all directions who'd then overtake you on both sides at once and hammer through lights or do U turns over the footpath. You're losing your touch, Ash!
Absolutely amazing how anything large or small can blend into the background depending on the object and the background especially the colour or colours of it and this can occur anywhere including on the central reservation where sometimes people or cyclists catch you out coming off it into your path.
Position early. Command your piece of the road. The danger with the straddle is that you are still quite close to parked cars that may not expect you to be so close. Commanding your piece of the road is particularly important for motorcycles to avoid others making extra lanes and forcing you in to positions you don't want to take up.
Helpful video, thanks. I always struggle with the main dual carriageway near me - full of parked cars. I always have the issue of cars in the right lane not letting me move across when overtaking parked cars on the left, meaning I have to either speed up or slow down a lot to get in before I reach the parked cars.
Great to see this new series Ashley. I have a question and it touches on a basic principle you covered in your recent pavement driving video. Namely that there may be situations whereby it is acceptable (and indeed preferable) to break the law to resolve a difficult situation. My question is about driving on the hard shoulder. And before anyone reacts, please read the whole scenario! It's a situation I've encountered on several ocassions 1. I'm in L1 on a motorway with two or more lanes 2. I'm approaching an exit I wish to take but still some way away from it 3. There are many other vehicles ahead and behind me all wishing to take the same exit up ahead. 4. The traffic queuing to leave the motorway has backed up on the motorway well before the exit slip road begins 5. The drivers ahead of me have all come to a "common agreement" to queue on the hard shoulder so as to leave L1 free of queuing traffic for those carrying on the motorway 6. Similarly I notice drivers behind me lining up to queue on the hard shoulder rather than in L1. 7. Exiting traffic is moving very slowly / stationary. Through traffic is moving freely. 8. How should I now position myself in relation to the other queuing vehicles? 9. If I were to stay 100% legal I would of course not queue on the hard shoulder with everyone else. However, this would then make me the lone vehicle queuing in L1 and I'd be a sitting duck to traffic carrying along the motorway. Also, how would I ultimately fit in with the rest of the queueing traffic? 10. Bear in mind that the traffic queuing on the hard shoulder is reverting back to the proper roadway once they reach the sliproad off the motorway - again questioning how would I slot myself in amongst them all if I were to continue in L1 till reaching the slip road? 11. In the above scenario, I've queued up on the hard shoulder with everyone else, immediately upon arrival to the back of the queue, in order to fit in with the rest of the traffic and be clear of L1 12. Yes, I know it's illegal. I'm not talking about the situation whereby through traffic on the motorway is all queued up and stationary / slow moving and to come rushing down an empty hard shoulder to take the next exit. I've seen drivers do that and I would never practice that myself. As you will appreciate, the scenario I've described is quite different to that - in fact the reverse. It often occurs when traffic is exiting a motorway to head to some big event but can also occur at any busy time. As you can see, this scenerio touches on the principle of: "Do I obey the letter of the law and stay legal even when it's the more dangerous option or do I break the law when it's the safer and more sensible option to resolve a difficult / dangerous situation?" As you yourself said, driving is not all black and white, there's a grey area too. Your opinions on this would be greatly appreciated Ash. What's the best way to handle this situation? Thank You Sir!
As a general comment, I would advise against "obeying the letter of the law" if you think it is going to risk the safety of yourself and any passengers. Furthermore, if you were driving for work and you did think that, then by taking such a risk you are arguably breaking a different law, i.e. the Health & Safety at Work (etc.) Act. So, to answer your challenge question, I have two solutions: 1) Since you cannot legally queue there on the hard shoulder and you cannot safely queue as a 1 car queue on lane 1, you should treat the junction as "closed" and then continue your journey via the motorway and an alternative route. I accept this answer may be inconvenient or impracticable. What's the worst than can happen here? You might arrive late and have missed all of Crossroads, Brookside and Coronation St when you get there. Even worse, your dinner may be in the dog. 2) You could join the others queuing on the hard shoulder. You are likely to be safe but, at least in theory, you might be prosecuted. What the the worst that can happen? You may end with a fine, points on your licence and subsequent additional costs. It is not a likely outcome and is better than getting injured or killed.
@@derekp2674 Thank You for your thoughtful reply Derek. All very intelligent. There's also another solution I've practiced. You actually touched on it via your Point #1: After having got caught up in this type of situation, which in my case was due to a large event nearby, I now try to arrive early at such events (pre-lockdown) before the event traffic starts to build up even more throughout the day. And if it's an area I am unfamiliar with, I research online in advance the route I would have to follow if I were to take the motorway exit prior or the one after the "normal" exit to get to such an event. This can actually offer a far less congested route to the event anyway, by coming in via " the back way" rather than the one that everyone else is taking. One other technique I use: If it's a multi-day event and I'm not attending on the first day, I will check Google maps for traffic around the same time of day that I will be attending just to get a sense of traffic in the area. Of course, one can't always predict this type of scenario coming up which is why I asked. Either way, you are totally right about keeping one's late arrival to a destination in perspective versus arriving safety.
@@Grahamvfr I totally get what your saying and appreciate your reply. Two concerns though: 1. I won't know how long I will be the lone queuing car in L1 and how soon others will start to "sheepishly" queue behind me. In the meantime, through traffic could be hurtling towards me. All it takes is one "through" person to rear end me before other exiting cars arrive in L1 behind me. Of course, in practice, I would be keeping a very close eye in my mirrors and if a rear ender was imminent, I would accelerate briskly and carry on past that exit. 2. Having other cars start queueing behind me in L1 in the manner you mention, although certainly preferable, is no guarantee of protection. One "through" vehicle could still plough into the back of the L1 queue and cause a domino effect crash as each vehicle is shunted into the one in front. And if it's an HGV that starts that chain reaction, it may continue driving over the top of all of us. Again, I totally recognise that hard shoulder queuing is illegal but to me, it might be the safer option and the "lesser of two evils" in the situation I describe. Would be interested to hear Ashley's Advice on this.
Could you do one on how/when to use all your lights correctly? I know you’ve done some in the last on fog lights etc but I’ve never seen a comprehensive guide. E.g when to use dipped beam, if it’s ever worth raising your beam anyway etc... #askashley
One lights tip. If at night a vehicle starts doing a manoeuvre where you have to wait for them, such as reversing into a space or driveway, then consider switching to just your side lights. This can mean they have less glare in their mirrors so can complete their manoeuvre in less time thereby saving you time.
Good video ash them roads I encourage pupils to move to lane 2 but you always get pressure from behind or space closers with the L box on difficult under test conditions also takes confidence and ability
Thanks for another great vid. This one has me really thinking because I usually agree with very nearly everything you say. But his video I disagree with a huge amount of the theory and the content. But thats the point of the video and the point of my tuning in to watch. I'll go and have lie down for while and come back and watch again. :-)
I've had my license for 2 years now and only drove in the snow for the first time last week. I really wanted one of your nice videos on this tricky subject to give me a bit more confidence before I undertook this journey.
Earmark close by potential after closing time practice sights for the next snowfall - Superstore car parks, industrial estates etc. where you can practice heavy breaking (triggering your ABS). Pulling away using high gears and low engine revs. You can practice cornering and recovering slides etc.
In the main, I rarely disagree with Ash but local knowledge could be an influencer here. In such roads in my area and there are not many of them, I wouldn't straddle lanes at all. If filtering back to the left to aid traffic management, which I do agree with, I'd simply use my left signal rather than straddle. A pedestrian could appear from behind the last parked car and staying fully in lane 2 with a left signal is clearly communicating my intention but also mitigating the risk.
Yep billy same with me the further away you are from parked cars the better. I disagree with ashley most of the time, but ashley is a good driver overall haha.(:-)
Some dual carriageways in London I find myself straddling lanes 2+3 even though nobody can park in Lane 1. I am however only just able to keep inside the middle lane, and theres lots of side roads off these carriageways.
Another great video, very informative - thanks Ash! A question I’ve got is about merging. I know you’ve said many times that when 2 lanes merge in to 1 and there is traffic, both lanes should be used up to the point where they merge, which I agree with. I’d like to know though, does this apply on slip roads, where there is queued traffic both on the main road, and the slip road? In this situation I often see slip road traffic positioned to the right, who all join in single file at the first point where the slip road meets the main road. Is it OK to undertake all of this stationary traffic on the slip road, continue to the very end of the slip road and merge on to the main road there?
Excellent question and I'm sure we've all found ourselves in that exact situation. Personally I carry on till near where the slip road ends and then merge. The way I see it, why should I (and everyone else behind me) merge so early just because others chose to do so. Maximize the full length of the slip road for optimum traffic flow though I know the early mergers will see it as barging in. I'd be interested to hear Ashley's professional opinion on this.
Another great video. Here's my question for you. Do you consider having the radio or music on to be a help to concentration or a distraction? For myself, I've found if I had music on while driving in town or on regular roads, I started to make more errors while driving, whereas with silence in the cabin I concentrate better, but on a long motorway drive it's the opposite - with silence I get bored of 3 hours on cruise control and my attention wavers, but the radio keeps my mind focused and active.
It depends on the road and situation. I mostly drive with my radio on but if I have to go down a single track road then I will turn it off. I also would turn it off if i were to see a horse rider.
Be interesting for an opinion on hazard lights in slowing traffic. Its something I do and seems common use, sort of instance where driving along 70mph and come up to accident or standing traffic. I usually do it to give the next vehicle more information, also maintaining brake use to keep the brake lights also visible.
So, I was told by my instructor that while you can indicate left, you don't have to because it's expected that you will return to the left lane. You do, however, have to indicate when moving into the right lane.
Again, the answer to that is 'it depends'. - If the overtaken driver is the only other person around, your slow movement 'back to the left' is itself a signal and you are expected to keep to the left lane anyway, so a left indicator is not needed. - If there is a driver tailgating you, a left indicator is beneficial as it clearly shows that driver that (a) you are moving back in to let them past and (b) they should not try to undertake at this moment. It can be also a 'request signal' for drivers in lane 1, asking them to make space to let you in so that the tailgater in lane 2/3 can overtake. - If someone in lane 1 wants to move out to lane 2 and sees you in their mirrors, they may hesitate from changing lanes until you widen the gap for them to move onto, you overtake them, or you move out of that lane. A left signal would tell that driver that they can move out in front of you.
I totally get the thought process of why it is not always necessary if I have my advanved driving hat on but my recollection is that the Highway Code states there are 3 instances when a signal is not always necessary, moving off, pulling in and passing stationary hazards, so by process of elimination I instruct my L test clients to always signal when changing lanes.
@@Hagar1302 I find issue with the instruction that is given in several driving schools: give a signal when necessary. This instruction is sensible when you can work out what 'necessary' is, but not when you are a learner who barely learned how to control a car, let alone observe and anticipate other road users or understand how they behave. I doubt a learner would have that much experience to make that judgment for themselves. I find it better if a learner is taught to ALWAYS indicate, but is also critiqued on every bit of it. They should be made to answer e.g. why they chose not to indicate on that occasion, why they pressed the brake pedal on and off in traffic (on a flat road) then suddenly came to a complete stop, why they flicked the stalk too early or too late, why they signalled to move off the kerb when they haven't even begun to make any observations, etc. Slowly, the learner begins to know the exceptions to always giving a signal, with the right mindset that it's only when nobody would benefit from a signal being given at that time.
What is your opinion of driving at speed of traffic flow even if over speed limit? "Drive Defensively to be a Safer, Smarter Driver" 8:00 by "Smart Drive Test" says driving at speed of traffic flow is strongly encouraged after passing test. Is there anything else you would change after passing test?
how to deal with the pressure from other drivers as a cyclist or a learner at a... right turn onto a dual carriageway with a grass middle divide with no give way markings in the middle divide - if that make sense - 53.572084, -0.638235
I'd like to see a video regarding bus lanes. I'm thinking of scenarios such as vehicles turning right whilst the bus lane and onward progress is clear, and turning left whist authorised bus lane users are undertaking you. I also find myself in a position where i will wait till the end of the bus lane to go back into the lane, however some drivers will cross that line before it ends and block your maneuver (I also find that sometimes this happens in turning lane where people drive over the hatched road markings and overtake when the lane is clear - check you blind spots people).
Personally myself i would not straddle over the middle line and i would like to keep as wide as possible from the parked cars on the left in case a pedestrian or animal dashes out from the line of parked cars and a better chance for the pedestrian to get back in if they see you coming on the last second plus less chance of hitting them if your futher away from them. The further away you are from parked cars the better i say. Middle white lines are there to seperate traffic, not to straddle over for me. If a biker comes up close behind i think it would make him hesitate more straddling over the middle line so if your in the right lane correctly he would probably nip down your left hand side traffic filtering which is ok for me.
How about a video on this: You are 2nd or 3rd car back turning right at traffic lights with no filter arrow but with a dedicated lane. You are already well over the stop line, but would not necessarily cause an obstruction if you stayed in that position. The lights change and the cars in front are a little slow getting away and you have a definite red light when you can move. Do you go? Or stay where you are?
Hope you don't mind my thoughts. If there is no filter arrow then try not to follow 2 cars in, only one. If I've found myself in that situation, I'll stay there,as that's the safest option.
Can you explain positioning and signalling to take on a dual carriage way that approaches a 4 exit roundabout, where the main road is exit 2 (and going back on yourself is exit 4) and exit 2 is the exit you are taking. Exit 1 and exit 3 are minor roads. Specifically if the dual carriageway ends shortly (a few hundred feet or so) after taking the exit. Hope this makes sense - I see all permutations as I travel about and am doubting myself now!
Why are you doubting yourself, if lane 2 is obviously 12 o'clock no signal on approach and lane 1, if you see ahead of you, cars in lane 1 are all indicating left for 1st exit, consider lane 2 and move back to lane 1 on exit. Lane 1 is and always was cosindered default.
@@Grahamvfr aha. You would think, eh!!?? Reason for doubt is 80% get it wrong in one particular roundabout. 2 cars in lane 1. Them and me some way behind. They signal right, move to Lane 2, still nothing around, still signal right and then take second exit. And in doing so move from what would be lane 2 on, lane 2 off to being into lane 1 immediately after taking exit. So many makes me think it must be me. Cannot stress - this is if there are only 2 cars. Most odd and more noticeable as roads currently quiet.
@@patrickstork7981 yea its is a pain, but at least they are guessing(not knowing) and you're doing it correctly. Thus isn't the place for me to voice my full opinions on our rediculous roundabout designs, but briefly I'd only have 1 Lane around smaller roundabouts, so drivers peel off behind each other, and larger roundabouts should all be marked specifically, to avoid people guessing.
Got loads of these in Nottm too. All with 40mph average speed cameras as our ring road was a 65mph race track in a morning. 🤷🏻♂️ This is one I disagree with. Plenty of parked cars so it’s lane 2 and that’s that. When I can use lane 1, I’ll use it. Why ‘straddle’ when using lane 2 leaves even more room for safety from parked car doors opening , cars coming out of driveways, etc? When I can use lane 1 I will move back. I’m not saying I’m gonna hog lane 2. I will say though that my lane 2 position may be with near side wheels next to the White line to show I’m moving back to lane 1. But to straddle the White line when there’s another lane/more room to use, nope. Question - mine was about the ‘Red mist’ Ashley from ages ago. TBH, after watching this channel, I’ve been working on it. I don’t really get genuinely angry, I just can’t help but gob off inside the car as if to make a point. Like who cares? I know, but I blurt out all the expletives like ‘they deserve it’. 🤷🏻♂️
Hi Ashley, I enjoy your videos and also learned with one of your instructors so big fan overall. I have wondered repeatedly about signalling in filter lanes, and by that I mean which lanes which lead (or are intended to lead) to either the left or the right. Is there a purpose to signalling right, for example, in a lane which is only intended to go to the right. What is the best practice, in your opinion?
Hi Ashley. 4:56 - if I wasn’t able to out accelerate other cars (i.e. I have a small car) should I originally have positioned myself in lane 2 or let the cars in lane 2 go through and then come across? Cheers, all the best.
Big or small car straddling the line gives you control of the road and traffic behind except riders so there's nothing they can do they have to sit behind like it or not.
Just after 3.00 you were in the straddle position with a car coming up behind you. You indicated to turn left on the approaching lights and the road was freely available to do so. So I don't think that there was any need to consider that vehicle behind as if it were going straight on the driver seeing you were turning would have automatically taken up the second lane. you being on the inside turning left. However one need not have done so as that car took a filter lane, a third lane in order to turn right at those lights.
My mum recently had an accident in the snow, but it was probably due to black ice after looking at the dash cam. I’m going to start learning so could u give any advice if ur in a situation when u start to skid, should you just leave it and let the car do what it wants or try to counter act it?
@Ashley can you do a bit about how to judge the safe gap for slip roads. I have done a lot of slip roads, but I still don't feel comfortable with some of my joins. Not that the instructor won't stop me if it wasn't, but is there a way to assure yourself the gap is big enough?
One thing I have wondered about Ashley that I wondered if you could answer for me please. If someone passes their test in an electric car what kind of licence do they get?
Could you perhaps explain the correct position/Lane for approach to a round about or different kinds of round about, I personally have one going home from work which nearly everyone uses the left Lane for a right turn 3rd exit with 4 exits in total on said round about. Only the local bus uses the right Lane I’ve seen possibly local knowledge but with so many people using the left it baffles me to the point I question myself. When I do decide to use the 3rd exit for a fuel station further up am always checking the mirrors and taking extra precautions and there’s always one who’s coming along with me.
Please explain the roundabouts in motorway areas I believe they're called gyratory roundabouts. I haven't learned that on my lessons and I feel they're different to conventional roundabouts
Also called spiral roundabouts. These roundabouts are almost always controlled by traffic lights instead of Give Way signs, and the lanes are marked so you are slowly 'spun out' toward the exit you've chosen on approach. You often don't need to change lanes at all when turning right. Quite literally, you stay in your lane throughout the roundabout.
What's the point of all these urban dual carriageways in Liverpool where cars can park and take up most of the left lane? It's a really daft use of space imho because it puts cyclists in the door zone and it means drivers either have to straddle the lane markings or just use the right-hand lane. Why not just have one general traffic lane and one cycle lane with parking bays separating them for safety?
Q: What's the safest way to turn on to a main road (especially turning right) when visibility at the junction is severely hampered because of parked cars? This is probably the stressiest manoeuvre for me.
Assuming you are right turning on an emerge. You have got to employ peep and creep. If you see an emerger when you are on the main road but can only see the bonnet area that guy can't see you so you slow down. Most drivers will do this. If you have badly blocked view just to your right the creeping is best done when there is no traffic from the left as anyone approaching from the right but failing to slow can at least pull wide and has no oncoming traffic.
@@keith6400 Thanks, that's basically what I do. Often I hold back far enough to see _behind_ the parked cars for signs of larger gaps in traffic before coming forward to start "peep and creep" (great name, btw). Sometimes that isn't possible, so then it's just edging forwards until I can see. The one time I had an accident in this situation was when crossing a road via a yellow box junction to turn right. There were parked cars on both sides of the main road and a queue of cars waiting at lights to my left and right. The other side of the road was clear. So I entered the box to turn right and started to peep and creep, checking for cars coming from the left. The car to my right waved me forwards, which I took to mean there was nothing coming from the left and I could go - which I did - only to have a car coming from the _right_ at 25mph+ crash into me. This vehicle had overtaken several cars including the car that waved me forward and was either completely or partly over the centre line. Technically I was also moving myself, though quite slowly. I think the insurance decided we were both at fault since I was moving when the collision occurred, even though I don't think the car should have overtaken as it did. Bitter lesson: never trust other drivers' flashes or hand gestures.
@@gregg.d That's a great principle to follow. Taken to its logical conclusion, if there really is no vision there can't be a decision? That might mean e.g. not turning right at all if it's too risky, and turning left instead and re-joining your journey route after a detour.
Hi Ashley. Another great video. I have a scenario question based on what happened to my father when we were driving. We were at a T-junction going from a one-way narrow minor road into a busy major road. An ambulance, with their blue lights on, came behind us. One would maybe move to the left or right onto the pavement to let the vehicle past, but because it was a narrow road, there wasn't enough space. So, my father (maybe panicking in the moment?) decided to enter into the major road which resulted in a car from the right having to swerve to avoid us. I think maybe my fathers mindset "I want to let this ambulance get through asap" probably was the impact in this event. How would one improve on a scenario like this in the future?
Quite a simple one, move if safe to do so. Emergency vehicles are trained to find their way through traffic, you should never put yourself (or others) in danger when moving for an emergency vehicle. In the scenario you describe your father should have waited until it was clear to exit the junction and then moved over for the ambulance.
The phrase peep and creep would come into to this. Pulling out without making sure its safe is only going to cause more issues and potential accidents.
Question: A few days ago I was travelling in lane 2 of a clear dual carriageway towards traffic lights, beyond which there were parked cars. (fyi it is Muirhead Ave East, travelling from Queens Drive towards Croxteth Park). At first there were no other vehicles near, but a van came up behind me at high speed and tried to bully me out of the way. I signalled left and began to move to lane 1, but I saw that the van was already in lane 1! I cancelled my move and let him undertake me at high speed. What would you have done?
Without wanting to sound ‘high and mighty’ here, cus I’m no expert - could you have seen the van earlier maybe? Then had time to move to lane 1. However, it seems you had little time so the minute he goes for the undertake, let him. You stay safe and let the idiot go. Don’t accelerate or move to block or start the swerve to keep in front game, it ain’t worth it.
How far were you from the parked cars in lane 1, how fast were you going and what was the speed limit? If the van could have undertaken you and got back to lane 2 before the parked cars, it may be that you were in lane 2 too early and now in lane 2 you could have moved to lane 1 to let the van pass and then move back to lane 2.
@@Richard_Barnes I can assure you that he was going much faster than me, so I had very little warning. He also disappeared into the distance at high speed.
At a mini roundabout and you have cars at each entry lane indicating in a way that everyone should give way to each other. What is the best way to proceed.
Slowly. Once had it on a 3 way one that we all waited, then all 3 went and shuffled around the edge. Occasionally someone has to reverse off the roundabout a couple of feet when all go at once.
Kairan, As a fellow instructor, I can’t see why anyone would fail their driving test by carrying out excellent observations which they act upon to maintain space around their car to keep themselves and others safe. All Ashley did here was use the ‘Mirror, Signal , Manoeuvre’ routine to maintain space around his car. If that’s all that you do on test with a bit of luck you’ll be fine. If someone else isn’t playing that game though you may have a problem which causes you to fail the test or, in the real world, crash. The thought process Ashley applied beyond MSM however was the difference between ‘test /average standard’ driving and ‘Ashley/advanced standard’ driving. In some instances, lane straddling works better than moving to lane 2. Sometimes using lane 2 is a better choice than straddling the line. That’s the key surely? The choices that YOU, the driver, make in a dynamic situation to keep space around you and stay safe. Ashley will always stay safe . So will I! Maybe discuss this and other video topics with your instructor/accompanying driver? Enjoy your driving and keep safe! All the best.
Sorry both, been out for a walk so missed your replies. Thanks Ashley for another great video and Kairan for the question which Ashley has already answered for you. 👍🏻
Driving is all about making decisions and there's an awful lot of "grey areas "! If you use the near side lane on a dual carriageway you have to be careful not to be "hemmed in" by following drivers approaching in the offside lane. Unfortunately many drivers don't have the attitude or intelligence to realise that you need to move out to pass any parked vehicles. If you move out to early the same drivers with attitude or lack of intelligence will undertake on the left. Your damned if you do, and damned if you don't!
I'm not from the UK, so maybe my question is a bit dumb. It would be about traffic circles/roundabouts. Especially the ones with two lanes. Seen people in the inner lane just go through straight, while cars on the outer lane tried to turn. It just seems to cause a lot of confusion. I thought I knew the rules, but after watching a lot dash cam videos from the UK and other countries, I'm not so sure anymore... So, what are the rules in roundabouts? Then there are those small "circles" (not really sure what its called) where basically a big dot is just painted on the road. Apparently the right of way rule while in the circle doesn't apply there when one turns?
Never a dumb question here E V 🙂 UK mini-roundabouts do cause some drivers issues, yes. The same rules apply to those as compared to the other roundabouts. UK is giveaway to the right, same for mini-roundabouts although what tends to happen here is, because drivers are so close together, they get confused about who is going when, so end up moving all together. 😂 www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html - this may help 👍🏻 On large roundabouts with multiple lanes in, they are usually marked to help with direction. 2 lanes could be ok to go straight on as well as right lane to turn right.
Technically (i.e. the law says) that you MUST drive around the left of the roundabout unless your vehicle physically cannot. That applies to mini roundabouts as much to larger ones with raised centres. However, so many people fail to do it correctly that we have to be cautious of others who might go pretty much anywhere, including straight over or even around the right of it!
Question for Ashley and it's always bugged me. When you're driving down a tight residential street (like near were you live Ash before you go on to your estate) In the dark and I pull over to let someone through without flashing, but they flash to say thankyou I always feel mean for not flashing them back because the may not be able to see my thumbs up or hand wave, I always feel ignorant, what would you do in that situation?
@@skylarius3757 yeah I get that, but when your stationary and they acknowledge you letting them past by flashing, not alot of people would see you wave at them so I feel ignorant, so I'm asking would you just wave in the hope of been seen or what. May seem a daft question but just wondering Ashley's point of view on it, but of course other people's opinions of course count.
If you stop to let someone through and they thank you, it's really not necessary to thank them for thanking you. (How far would you go with this? Would you then expect another 'thank you' from them?) On the other hand, you could flash provided that there's no one around who could be misled.
Well explained as always. Having looked up your rental on the Volvo website, how good (or bad) was this in terms of mpg? Nowhere close to the BMW is my educated guess.
"Dual carriageway" means that the two directions of travel are separated by some kind of medium like a grass median or barriers. You can have 1, 2, 3, 4+ lanes on either side and it is still a dual carriageway. Single carriageway could still have two lanes for each direction of travel but won't be separated by a medium.
@@ashley_neal It depends 😂 Slow speed manoeuvres I would, or for a turn that needs a big initial bite, but once one the move I don't. Once they are past 12 you can't steer easily in that direction if the situation changes. It's always a good discussion and I was interested in your thoughts. I'm sure it will come up when you do your IAM. Some are 100% against it. Some are mix and match, like me.
@@ashley_neal Once past 12, if the situation changes and you need to steer further in the that direction, your options are limited. I'm sure others will chip in.
As a cyclist one thing that really shocks and upsets me is when someone passes me in L1 without even slightly straddling. All too often I find my ears pick up a car approaching in L2, but the sound of that car being closer masks the car slightly behind or practically parallel in L1, and so it's really shocking, surprising and stressful to be close passed in this situation. While using a mirror could help clock people who do this, it's really not enough just to see it coming. The drivers just really shouldn't be putting cyclists in that position.
My problem with this video, is that when the bus pulled out at the roundabout, you did not speed up and blast your horn at it, and then shout #itsondashcam
Well, I'm disappointed. After waiting for the lady to cross, you entered the roundabout, with a bus ahead entering the roundabout from the next junction. As a dashcammer, it is important that in these situations, you accelerate, cutting across lanes, to then brake harshly while holding the horn. My expectations were unfulfilled, how could you?
Beats me why the majority park forwards into their driveways you can always reverse in, even in rush hour, maybe usually when its time to reverse out there's usually a jam outside helping you get out more safely or the roads usually relatively free of traffic. Reversing in would make the boot nearer the door and easier to jump start the car and the noise from a car alarm siren would be far more efficiently and effectively pronounced.
I used to live on a busy main road and would usually try to reverse in but believe me, you can't _always_ do it. Other drivers will stop a foot behind you no matter what signals and positions you use and even if they don't do that, they will get aggressive as you sit there, indicating and with reversing lights on, waiting for an opportunity to reverse into the driveway. Of course, there were some who could see what I was doing and act accordingly. Because it was usually quieter when I pulled out of the drive, I eventually found it safer/less hassle to reverse out, even across both lanes.
Not always possible on a busy road. Especially on a single multi lane road. If there's a bus or any high vehicle in front of you in outside lane you could not see anything coming in the opposite direction. What about when you get a rare opportunity and get the chance to reverse in there could be a cyclist coming up on inside lane from the same direction as you came from. Just leave it until traffic eases off.
I found your channel and I'm enjoying it greatly. I've been driving 40yrs and over that time have noticed a decline in driving standards. IMO too many people don't enjoy the process of driving, it is simply a means to an end, to get to work, shops, drop the kids off, consequently their mind is elsewhere. Add to this mobile phones, Satnavs, and touchscreens for functions that should be on a separate control and its no wonder why we see the incidents on UA-cam dashcam videos. Ultimately it's all about "them" safe in their car.
I'd class myself as a motoring enthusiast, I really enjoy driving, and score myself on (longer) drives, the aim being to get a perfect score, I find this helps me pay attention and anticipate hazards; and of course if you really want to learn how to anticipate hazards ride a motorcycle!
Now it's time to mention something that really annoys me; when in queuing traffic I wish drivers would use the parking brake when stationary, the eye level brake light burning into my retina is not pleasant, especially in the wet. and not everyone drives an auto and even they have parking brakes. Electronic parking brakes even release as you drive off. Anyway, old man rant over, keep up the good work, we need more people to watch videos like yours.
Appreciate the time you give us Ashley. Always take something away from your videos.
When I was learning to drive nearly 20yrs ago, I was told that driving requires you to be actively thinking at all times. The problem is that many people just get in a car a drive it, with no active thought process, get in and switch off or go to auto pilot, especially commuter & school runs.
For them, it's far easier to just move into lane 2 and just sit there, brain off. Moving in and out requires too much effort.
I find that is true for me on daily commute . I drive better when I do not know the road.
got confused by the volvo for a second. great video ash!
which volvo?
@@dakerbal the one Ashley is driving
Great video and nice idea for a series. One possible idea - how to deal with tailgaters following too close and how to manage space around you when other road users compromise that safe space. (Is that two questions ... nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition etc. :) )
With the current weather situation, a session on winter driving would be very helpful for most, because in this country, most people are absolutely clueless when it comes to driving safely and correctly.
I use 2 sets of tyres, summer and winter, they prove their worth in icy, frosty and snowy conditions.
But you can't just rely on your tyres. Technique needs to match also.
Get out of the way of possible conflict by planning ahead. In a merging lane, move away from it if. (left in my case) If you can't, position yourself staggered so the traffic can move laterally without problems. This works everywhere in traffic. And remember some drivers are still going to barge through without looking...
An idea for a video Ashley would be planning on a motorway, overtaking, when to staying in a lane to continue overtaking especially on two lane motorways, leaving and joining etc.
A great vid as always Ashley! This explanation was really interesting because I've noticed the lane straddle in some of your other vids (I think there was one with an angry taxi driver who couldn't understand why you were doing it - surprise surprise!) so it was nice to hear the ins and outs of it. Thank you for making us all better drivers!
"Blessed with dual carriageways". It's amazing how different life is over here in the States. The main road that runs through our small city is 4 lanes each side and that's not at all uncommon. About 3 miles from my house is a freeway interchange with 26 lanes. If you take a long trip up the California coast the highway will drop down to two lanes in especially rural areas. Single lane roads are somewhat rare. This, of course, presents its own set of problems which California drivers are more than willing to demonstrate on the regular.
ye, european cities are very narrow because they were designed and built hundreds of years ago and you usually have a lot of issues on the road due to this (there are some exceptions, especially in cities that got bombed heavily in WW2 like here in Germany). It's really an advantage if you can start off with a clean slate and design cities around expected traffic instead of having to design traffic around existing structures.
@@Asto508 I'm not sure how much of an advantage it truly is. The U.S. is such a car culture yet there is so much chaos when it comes to traffic discipline. The rules are quite different here. Straddling a lane, for any reason, is an instant ticket if a cop catches you. Yet, we are allowed to pass on the left or the right regardless of traffic conditions. The rules are just... wrong!
@@russsuter6858
Well, one thing are the rules, the other is the road infrastructure. I also think certain rules are stupid, but to punish lane straddling is certainly not, because it's almost always a sign of a driver who is either drunk or texting. In my country, it's also perfectly fine to overtake left or right if you are "in town". It's only forbidden on the highway though and that is an example of a good rule.
Regarding road discipline, you also have european countries such as Italy or eastern european countries where people's driving is way more insane than in the US, believe me.
@@russsuter6858 Passing on left or right are legal in UK too.
@@MrJohnny3shoes Well it's not. Ashely has even made video's about undertaking before. There are of course some circumstances where it is legal (If the car in front of you is turning right, if the right lanes have slower-moving traffic, on a one way road, etc.) but those are rare.
"I'm taking up this straddle position here..."
And yet you failed to do your usual trick of magically attracting taxis from all directions who'd then overtake you on both sides at once and hammer through lights or do U turns over the footpath. You're losing your touch, Ash!
No roofbox!
@@ashley_neal Aha, of course, driving incognito!
Absolutely amazing how anything large or small can blend into the background depending on the object and the background especially the colour or colours of it and this can occur anywhere including on the central reservation where sometimes people or cyclists catch you out coming off it into your path.
7:53 "she wants to go and sit up at the lights for a little bit longer" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Position early. Command your piece of the road. The danger with the straddle is that you are still quite close to parked cars that may not expect you to be so close. Commanding your piece of the road is particularly important for motorcycles to avoid others making extra lanes and forcing you in to positions you don't want to take up.
Helpful video, thanks. I always struggle with the main dual carriageway near me - full of parked cars. I always have the issue of cars in the right lane not letting me move across when overtaking parked cars on the left, meaning I have to either speed up or slow down a lot to get in before I reach the parked cars.
Great to see this new series Ashley. I have a question and it touches on a basic principle you covered in your recent pavement driving video. Namely that there may be situations whereby it is acceptable (and indeed preferable) to break the law to resolve a difficult situation. My question is about driving on the hard shoulder. And before anyone reacts, please read the whole scenario! It's a situation I've encountered on several ocassions
1. I'm in L1 on a motorway with two or more lanes
2. I'm approaching an exit I wish to take but still some way away from it
3. There are many other vehicles ahead and behind me all wishing to take the same exit up ahead.
4. The traffic queuing to leave the motorway has backed up on the motorway well before the exit slip road begins
5. The drivers ahead of me have all come to a "common agreement" to queue on the hard shoulder so as to leave L1 free of queuing traffic for those carrying on the motorway
6. Similarly I notice drivers behind me lining up to queue on the hard shoulder rather than in L1.
7. Exiting traffic is moving very slowly / stationary. Through traffic is moving freely.
8. How should I now position myself in relation to the other queuing vehicles?
9. If I were to stay 100% legal I would of course not queue on the hard shoulder with everyone else. However, this would then make me the lone vehicle queuing in L1 and I'd be a sitting duck to traffic carrying along the motorway. Also, how would I ultimately fit in with the rest of the queueing traffic?
10. Bear in mind that the traffic queuing on the hard shoulder is reverting back to the proper roadway once they reach the sliproad off the motorway - again questioning how would I slot myself in amongst them all if I were to continue in L1 till reaching the slip road?
11. In the above scenario, I've queued up on the hard shoulder with everyone else, immediately upon arrival to the back of the queue, in order to fit in with the rest of the traffic and be clear of L1
12. Yes, I know it's illegal. I'm not talking about the situation whereby through traffic on the motorway is all queued up and stationary / slow moving and to come rushing down an empty hard shoulder to take the next exit. I've seen drivers do that and I would never practice that myself. As you will appreciate, the scenario I've described is quite different to that - in fact the reverse. It often occurs when traffic is exiting a motorway to head to some big event but can also occur at any busy time.
As you can see, this scenerio touches on the principle of: "Do I obey the letter of the law and stay legal even when it's the more dangerous option or do I break the law when it's the safer and more sensible option to resolve a difficult / dangerous situation?" As you yourself said, driving is not all black and white, there's a grey area too.
Your opinions on this would be greatly appreciated Ash. What's the best way to handle this situation? Thank You Sir!
As a general comment, I would advise against "obeying the letter of the law" if you think it is going to risk the safety of yourself and any passengers. Furthermore, if you were driving for work and you did think that, then by taking such a risk you are arguably breaking a different law, i.e. the Health & Safety at Work (etc.) Act.
So, to answer your challenge question, I have two solutions:
1) Since you cannot legally queue there on the hard shoulder and you cannot safely queue as a 1 car queue on lane 1, you should treat the junction as "closed" and then continue your journey via the motorway and an alternative route. I accept this answer may be inconvenient or impracticable. What's the worst than can happen here? You might arrive late and have missed all of Crossroads, Brookside and Coronation St when you get there. Even worse, your dinner may be in the dog.
2) You could join the others queuing on the hard shoulder. You are likely to be safe but, at least in theory, you might be prosecuted. What the the worst that can happen? You may end with a fine, points on your licence and subsequent additional costs. It is not a likely outcome and is better than getting injured or killed.
@@derekp2674 Thank You for your thoughtful reply Derek. All very intelligent. There's also another solution I've practiced. You actually touched on it via your Point #1:
After having got caught up in this type of situation, which in my case was due to a large event nearby, I now try to arrive early at such events (pre-lockdown) before the event traffic starts to build up even more throughout the day. And if it's an area I am unfamiliar with, I research online in advance the route I would have to follow if I were to take the motorway exit prior or the one after the "normal" exit to get to such an event. This can actually offer a far less congested route to the event anyway, by coming in via " the back way" rather than the one that everyone else is taking.
One other technique I use: If it's a multi-day event and I'm not attending on the first day, I will check Google maps for traffic around the same time of day that I will be attending just to get a sense of traffic in the area.
Of course, one can't always predict this type of scenario coming up which is why I asked.
Either way, you are totally right about keeping one's late arrival to a destination in perspective versus arriving safety.
@@Grahamvfr I totally get what your saying and appreciate your reply.
Two concerns though:
1. I won't know how long I will be the lone queuing car in L1 and how soon others will start to "sheepishly" queue behind me. In the meantime, through traffic could be hurtling towards me. All it takes is one "through" person to rear end me before other exiting cars arrive in L1 behind me. Of course, in practice, I would be keeping a very close eye in my mirrors and if a rear ender was imminent, I would accelerate briskly and carry on past that exit.
2. Having other cars start queueing behind me in L1 in the manner you mention, although certainly preferable, is no guarantee of protection. One "through" vehicle could still plough into the back of the L1 queue and cause a domino effect crash as each vehicle is shunted into the one in front. And if it's an HGV that starts that chain reaction, it may continue driving over the top of all of us.
Again, I totally recognise that hard shoulder queuing is illegal but to me, it might be the safer option and the "lesser of two evils" in the situation I describe. Would be interested to hear Ashley's Advice on this.
Could you do one on how/when to use all your lights correctly? I know you’ve done some in the last on fog lights etc but I’ve never seen a comprehensive guide. E.g when to use dipped beam, if it’s ever worth raising your beam anyway etc... #askashley
I sort of answer this with an upload next week 👍🏼
@@ashley_neal Cheers mate!
One lights tip. If at night a vehicle starts doing a manoeuvre where you have to wait for them, such as reversing into a space or driveway, then consider switching to just your side lights. This can mean they have less glare in their mirrors so can complete their manoeuvre in less time thereby saving you time.
@@averyboringusername Hmm, not sure about that one
Use your dipped lights at all times, except when full lights are needed.
Good video ash them roads I encourage pupils to move to lane 2 but you always get pressure from behind or space closers with the L box on difficult under test conditions also takes confidence and ability
Thanks for another great vid. This one has me really thinking because I usually agree with very nearly everything you say. But his video I disagree with a huge amount of the theory and the content. But thats the point of the video and the point of my tuning in to watch. I'll go and have lie down for while and come back and watch again. :-)
I've had my license for 2 years now and only drove in the snow for the first time last week. I really wanted one of your nice videos on this tricky subject to give me a bit more confidence before I undertook this journey.
Earmark close by potential after closing time practice sights for the next snowfall - Superstore car parks, industrial estates etc. where you can practice heavy breaking (triggering your ABS). Pulling away using high gears and low engine revs. You can practice cornering and recovering slides etc.
In the main, I rarely disagree with Ash but local knowledge could be an influencer here. In such roads in my area and there are not many of them, I wouldn't straddle lanes at all. If filtering back to the left to aid traffic management, which I do agree with, I'd simply use my left signal rather than straddle. A pedestrian could appear from behind the last parked car and staying fully in lane 2 with a left signal is clearly communicating my intention but also mitigating the risk.
Yep billy same with me the further away you are from parked cars the better.
I disagree with ashley most of the time, but ashley is a good driver overall haha.(:-)
Some dual carriageways in London I find myself straddling lanes 2+3 even though nobody can park in Lane 1. I am however only just able to keep inside the middle lane, and theres lots of side roads off these carriageways.
Another great video, very informative - thanks Ash!
A question I’ve got is about merging. I know you’ve said many times that when 2 lanes merge in to 1 and there is traffic, both lanes should be used up to the point where they merge, which I agree with. I’d like to know though, does this apply on slip roads, where there is queued traffic both on the main road, and the slip road? In this situation I often see slip road traffic positioned to the right, who all join in single file at the first point where the slip road meets the main road. Is it OK to undertake all of this stationary traffic on the slip road, continue to the very end of the slip road and merge on to the main road there?
Excellent question and I'm sure we've all found ourselves in that exact situation. Personally I carry on till near where the slip road ends and then merge. The way I see it, why should I (and everyone else behind me) merge so early just because others chose to do so. Maximize the full length of the slip road for optimum traffic flow though I know the early mergers will see it as barging in. I'd be interested to hear Ashley's professional opinion on this.
Good content Ashley enjoy watching your videos for tips 👌
Another great video. Here's my question for you. Do you consider having the radio or music on to be a help to concentration or a distraction?
For myself, I've found if I had music on while driving in town or on regular roads, I started to make more errors while driving, whereas with silence in the cabin I concentrate better, but on a long motorway drive it's the opposite - with silence I get bored of 3 hours on cruise control and my attention wavers, but the radio keeps my mind focused and active.
It depends on the road and situation. I mostly drive with my radio on but if I have to go down a single track road then I will turn it off. I also would turn it off if i were to see a horse rider.
passed my drivings today
Be interesting for an opinion on hazard lights in slowing traffic. Its something I do and seems common use, sort of instance where driving along 70mph and come up to accident or standing traffic. I usually do it to give the next vehicle more information, also maintaining brake use to keep the brake lights also visible.
Should you indicate left when coming back into the left hand lane after overtaking a vehicle on a dual carriageway/ motorway?
So, I was told by my instructor that while you can indicate left, you don't have to because it's expected that you will return to the left lane. You do, however, have to indicate when moving into the right lane.
Again, the answer to that is 'it depends'.
- If the overtaken driver is the only other person around, your slow movement 'back to the left' is itself a signal and you are expected to keep to the left lane anyway, so a left indicator is not needed.
- If there is a driver tailgating you, a left indicator is beneficial as it clearly shows that driver that (a) you are moving back in to let them past and (b) they should not try to undertake at this moment. It can be also a 'request signal' for drivers in lane 1, asking them to make space to let you in so that the tailgater in lane 2/3 can overtake.
- If someone in lane 1 wants to move out to lane 2 and sees you in their mirrors, they may hesitate from changing lanes until you widen the gap for them to move onto, you overtake them, or you move out of that lane. A left signal would tell that driver that they can move out in front of you.
I've had drivers indicating to move back in, then cut me up? What's that all about.
I totally get the thought process of why it is not always necessary if I have my advanved driving hat on but my recollection is that the Highway Code states there are 3 instances when a signal is not always necessary, moving off, pulling in and passing stationary hazards, so by process of elimination I instruct my L test clients to always signal when changing lanes.
@@Hagar1302 I find issue with the instruction that is given in several driving schools: give a signal when necessary.
This instruction is sensible when you can work out what 'necessary' is, but not when you are a learner who barely learned how to control a car, let alone observe and anticipate other road users or understand how they behave. I doubt a learner would have that much experience to make that judgment for themselves. I find it better if a learner is taught to ALWAYS indicate, but is also critiqued on every bit of it. They should be made to answer e.g. why they chose not to indicate on that occasion, why they pressed the brake pedal on and off in traffic (on a flat road) then suddenly came to a complete stop, why they flicked the stalk too early or too late, why they signalled to move off the kerb when they haven't even begun to make any observations, etc.
Slowly, the learner begins to know the exceptions to always giving a signal, with the right mindset that it's only when nobody would benefit from a signal being given at that time.
What is your opinion of driving at speed of traffic flow even if over speed limit?
"Drive Defensively to be a Safer, Smarter Driver"
8:00 by "Smart Drive Test" says driving at speed of traffic flow is strongly encouraged after passing test. Is there anything else you would change after passing test?
That's what many lemmings will have done.
Very interesting and informative video. Thank you
how to deal with the pressure from other drivers as a cyclist or a learner at a... right turn onto a dual carriageway with a grass middle divide with no give way markings in the middle divide - if that make sense - 53.572084, -0.638235
I'd like to see a video regarding bus lanes. I'm thinking of scenarios such as vehicles turning right whilst the bus lane and onward progress is clear, and turning left whist authorised bus lane users are undertaking you.
I also find myself in a position where i will wait till the end of the bus lane to go back into the lane, however some drivers will cross that line before it ends and block your maneuver (I also find that sometimes this happens in turning lane where people drive over the hatched road markings and overtake when the lane is clear - check you blind spots people).
Grandioso buddy🤘
Nice video Ashley
Personally myself i would not straddle over the middle line and i would like to keep as wide as possible from the parked cars on the left in case a pedestrian or animal dashes out from the line of parked cars and a better chance for the pedestrian to get back in if they see you coming on the last second plus less chance of hitting them if your futher away from them.
The further away you are from parked cars the better i say.
Middle white lines are there to seperate traffic, not to straddle over for me.
If a biker comes up close behind i think it would make him hesitate more straddling over the middle line so if your in the right lane correctly he would probably nip down your left hand side traffic filtering which is ok for me.
How about a video on this:
You are 2nd or 3rd car back turning right at traffic lights with no filter arrow but with a dedicated lane. You are already well over the stop line, but would not necessarily cause an obstruction if you stayed in that position. The lights change and the cars in front are a little slow getting away and you have a definite red light when you can move. Do you go? Or stay where you are?
Hope you don't mind my thoughts.
If there is no filter arrow then try not to follow 2 cars in, only one.
If I've found myself in that situation, I'll stay there,as that's the safest option.
Can you explain positioning and signalling to take on a dual carriage way that approaches a 4 exit roundabout, where the main road is exit 2 (and going back on yourself is exit 4) and exit 2 is the exit you are taking. Exit 1 and exit 3 are minor roads. Specifically if the dual carriageway ends shortly (a few hundred feet or so) after taking the exit. Hope this makes sense - I see all permutations as I travel about and am doubting myself now!
Why are you doubting yourself, if lane 2 is obviously 12 o'clock no signal on approach and lane 1, if you see ahead of you, cars in lane 1 are all indicating left for 1st exit, consider lane 2 and move back to lane 1 on exit.
Lane 1 is and always was cosindered default.
@@Grahamvfr aha. You would think, eh!!?? Reason for doubt is 80% get it wrong in one particular roundabout. 2 cars in lane 1. Them and me some way behind. They signal right, move to Lane 2, still nothing around, still signal right and then take second exit. And in doing so move from what would be lane 2 on, lane 2 off to being into lane 1 immediately after taking exit. So many makes me think it must be me. Cannot stress - this is if there are only 2 cars. Most odd and more noticeable as roads currently quiet.
@@patrickstork7981 yea its is a pain, but at least they are guessing(not knowing) and you're doing it correctly.
Thus isn't the place for me to voice my full opinions on our rediculous roundabout designs, but briefly I'd only have 1 Lane around smaller roundabouts, so drivers peel off behind each other, and larger roundabouts should all be marked specifically, to avoid people guessing.
With positioning you can often have control over vehicles behind but not with riders behind.
Then it's on them to not put themselves in that position
I always move over to let the bike filter.
Got loads of these in Nottm too. All with 40mph average speed cameras as our ring road was a 65mph race track in a morning. 🤷🏻♂️
This is one I disagree with. Plenty of parked cars so it’s lane 2 and that’s that. When I can use lane 1, I’ll use it. Why ‘straddle’ when using lane 2 leaves even more room for safety from parked car doors opening , cars coming out of driveways, etc? When I can use lane 1 I will move back. I’m not saying I’m gonna hog lane 2. I will say though that my lane 2 position may be with near side wheels next to the White line to show I’m moving back to lane 1. But to straddle the White line when there’s another lane/more room to use, nope.
Question - mine was about the ‘Red mist’ Ashley from ages ago. TBH, after watching this channel, I’ve been working on it. I don’t really get genuinely angry, I just can’t help but gob off inside the car as if to make a point. Like who cares? I know, but I blurt out all the expletives like ‘they deserve it’. 🤷🏻♂️
Hi Ashley, I enjoy your videos and also learned with one of your instructors so big fan overall. I have wondered repeatedly about signalling in filter lanes, and by that I mean which lanes which lead (or are intended to lead) to either the left or the right. Is there a purpose to signalling right, for example, in a lane which is only intended to go to the right. What is the best practice, in your opinion?
Hi Ashley. 4:56 - if I wasn’t able to out accelerate other cars (i.e. I have a small car) should I originally have positioned myself in lane 2 or let the cars in lane 2 go through and then come across?
Cheers, all the best.
Big or small car straddling the line gives you control of the road and traffic behind except riders so there's nothing they can do they have to sit behind like it or not.
You could always let him get away quicker and slot in behind
Just after 3.00 you were in the straddle position with a car coming up behind you. You indicated to turn left on the approaching lights and the road was freely available to do so. So I don't think that there was any need to consider that vehicle behind as if it were going straight on the driver seeing you were turning would have automatically taken up the second lane. you being on the inside turning left. However one need not have done so as that car took a filter lane, a third lane in order to turn right at those lights.
My mum recently had an accident in the snow, but it was probably due to black ice after looking at the dash cam. I’m going to start learning so could u give any advice if ur in a situation when u start to skid, should you just leave it and let the car do what it wants or try to counter act it?
Ashley, what is the black square thing that's mounted on the seat belt, is it a camera?
It’s a microphone 👍🏼
@Ashley can you do a bit about how to judge the safe gap for slip roads. I have done a lot of slip roads, but I still don't feel comfortable with some of my joins. Not that the instructor won't stop me if it wasn't, but is there a way to assure yourself the gap is big enough?
One thing I have wondered about Ashley that I wondered if you could answer for me please. If someone passes their test in an electric car what kind of licence do they get?
Could you perhaps explain the correct position/Lane for approach to a round about or different kinds of round about, I personally have one going home from work which nearly everyone uses the left Lane for a right turn 3rd exit with 4 exits in total on said round about. Only the local bus uses the right Lane I’ve seen possibly local knowledge but with so many people using the left it baffles me to the point I question myself. When I do decide to use the 3rd exit for a fuel station further up am always checking the mirrors and taking extra precautions and there’s always one who’s coming along with me.
The thing is that all round-a-bouts are different, but I'm sure Ashley would tell you to look for the road markings and signs.
Please explain the roundabouts in motorway areas I believe they're called gyratory roundabouts. I haven't learned that on my lessons and I feel they're different to conventional roundabouts
Also called spiral roundabouts. These roundabouts are almost always controlled by traffic lights instead of Give Way signs, and the lanes are marked so you are slowly 'spun out' toward the exit you've chosen on approach. You often don't need to change lanes at all when turning right. Quite literally, you stay in your lane throughout the roundabout.
What's the point of all these urban dual carriageways in Liverpool where cars can park and take up most of the left lane? It's a really daft use of space imho because it puts cyclists in the door zone and it means drivers either have to straddle the lane markings or just use the right-hand lane.
Why not just have one general traffic lane and one cycle lane with parking bays separating them for safety?
As you say depends on .......👍
Q: What's the safest way to turn on to a main road (especially turning right) when visibility at the junction is severely hampered because of parked cars? This is probably the stressiest manoeuvre for me.
Assuming you are right turning on an emerge. You have got to employ peep and creep. If you see an emerger when you are on the main road but can only see the bonnet area that guy can't see you so you slow down. Most drivers will do this. If you have badly blocked view just to your right the creeping is best done when there is no traffic from the left as anyone approaching from the right but failing to slow can at least pull wide and has no oncoming traffic.
Vision before decision.
@@keith6400 Thanks, that's basically what I do. Often I hold back far enough to see _behind_ the parked cars for signs of larger gaps in traffic before coming forward to start "peep and creep" (great name, btw). Sometimes that isn't possible, so then it's just edging forwards until I can see.
The one time I had an accident in this situation was when crossing a road via a yellow box junction to turn right. There were parked cars on both sides of the main road and a queue of cars waiting at lights to my left and right. The other side of the road was clear. So I entered the box to turn right and started to peep and creep, checking for cars coming from the left. The car to my right waved me forwards, which I took to mean there was nothing coming from the left and I could go - which I did - only to have a car coming from the _right_ at 25mph+ crash into me. This vehicle had overtaken several cars including the car that waved me forward and was either completely or partly over the centre line. Technically I was also moving myself, though quite slowly. I think the insurance decided we were both at fault since I was moving when the collision occurred, even though I don't think the car should have overtaken as it did. Bitter lesson: never trust other drivers' flashes or hand gestures.
I'm wondering... what about creep, peep and beep?
@@gregg.d That's a great principle to follow. Taken to its logical conclusion, if there really is no vision there can't be a decision? That might mean e.g. not turning right at all if it's too risky, and turning left instead and re-joining your journey route after a detour.
Downhill driving managing speed/braking?
Hi Ashley. Another great video. I have a scenario question based on what happened to my father when we were driving. We were at a T-junction going from a one-way narrow minor road into a busy major road. An ambulance, with their blue lights on, came behind us. One would maybe move to the left or right onto the pavement to let the vehicle past, but because it was a narrow road, there wasn't enough space. So, my father (maybe panicking in the moment?) decided to enter into the major road which resulted in a car from the right having to swerve to avoid us. I think maybe my fathers mindset "I want to let this ambulance get through asap" probably was the impact in this event. How would one improve on a scenario like this in the future?
Quite a simple one, move if safe to do so. Emergency vehicles are trained to find their way through traffic, you should never put yourself (or others) in danger when moving for an emergency vehicle. In the scenario you describe your father should have waited until it was clear to exit the junction and then moved over for the ambulance.
The phrase peep and creep would come into to this. Pulling out without making sure its safe is only going to cause more issues and potential accidents.
Question: A few days ago I was travelling in lane 2 of a clear dual carriageway towards traffic lights, beyond which there were parked cars. (fyi it is Muirhead Ave East, travelling from Queens Drive towards Croxteth Park). At first there were no other vehicles near, but a van came up behind me at high speed and tried to bully me out of the way. I signalled left and began to move to lane 1, but I saw that the van was already in lane 1! I cancelled my move and let him undertake me at high speed. What would you have done?
Without wanting to sound ‘high and mighty’ here, cus I’m no expert - could you have seen the van earlier maybe? Then had time to move to lane 1. However, it seems you had little time so the minute he goes for the undertake, let him. You stay safe and let the idiot go. Don’t accelerate or move to block or start the swerve to keep in front game, it ain’t worth it.
How far were you from the parked cars in lane 1, how fast were you going and what was the speed limit? If the van could have undertaken you and got back to lane 2 before the parked cars, it may be that you were in lane 2 too early and now in lane 2 you could have moved to lane 1 to let the van pass and then move back to lane 2.
@@Richard_Barnes I can assure you that he was going much faster than me, so I had very little warning. He also disappeared into the distance at high speed.
@@radishpea6615 There were no parked cars at this point, only after the lights. The speed limit was 30, I was a little over.
@@Alan_Clark Fine but as I asked, how far were you from the parked cars?
At a mini roundabout and you have cars at each entry lane indicating in a way that everyone should give way to each other. What is the best way to proceed.
I say to my learners that somebody needs to go first, it might as well be us, but be prepared to stop again if the car to your right also moves.
Slowly.
Once had it on a 3 way one that we all waited, then all 3 went and shuffled around the edge. Occasionally someone has to reverse off the roundabout a couple of feet when all go at once.
Carefully and courteously :)
Using bus Lane to undertake a car turning right
I don't believe Ashley is always right and I don't believe he should be trying to re-write the Highway Code!
Nobody is right all the time and there is always more to learn. Which bit of the Highway Code are you referring to?
these new techniques you have shown on your episodes, would you still pass if i had done it in my driving test?
Kairan, As a fellow instructor, I can’t see why anyone would fail their driving test by carrying out excellent observations which they act upon to maintain space around their car to keep themselves and others safe. All Ashley did here was use the ‘Mirror, Signal , Manoeuvre’ routine to maintain space around his car. If that’s all that you do on test with a bit of luck you’ll be fine. If someone else isn’t playing that game though you may have a problem which causes you to fail the test or, in the real world, crash. The thought process Ashley applied beyond MSM however was
the difference between ‘test /average standard’ driving and ‘Ashley/advanced standard’ driving. In some instances, lane straddling works better than moving to lane 2. Sometimes using lane 2 is a better choice than straddling the line. That’s the key surely? The choices that YOU, the driver, make in a dynamic situation to keep space around you and stay safe. Ashley will always stay safe . So will I! Maybe discuss this and other video topics with your instructor/accompanying driver? Enjoy your driving and keep safe! All the best.
@@ianhares9476 i meant like use of idicators etc- positioning replacing the indicators
@Kairan Don’t think of it as replacement, but in addition to indicating. Thanks for the excellent comment @Ian 👍
Sorry both, been out for a walk so missed your replies. Thanks Ashley for another great video and Kairan for the question which Ashley has already answered for you. 👍🏻
Driving is all about making decisions and there's an awful lot of "grey areas "! If you use the near side lane on a dual carriageway you have to be careful not to be "hemmed in" by following drivers approaching in the offside lane. Unfortunately many drivers don't have the attitude or intelligence to realise that you need to move out to pass any parked vehicles. If you move out to early the same drivers with attitude or lack of intelligence will undertake on the left. Your damned if you do, and damned if you don't!
I'm not from the UK, so maybe my question is a bit dumb. It would be about traffic circles/roundabouts. Especially the ones with two lanes. Seen people in the inner lane just go through straight, while cars on the outer lane tried to turn. It just seems to cause a lot of confusion. I thought I knew the rules, but after watching a lot dash cam videos from the UK and other countries, I'm not so sure anymore... So, what are the rules in roundabouts? Then there are those small "circles" (not really sure what its called) where basically a big dot is just painted on the road. Apparently the right of way rule while in the circle doesn't apply there when one turns?
Never a dumb question here E V 🙂 UK mini-roundabouts do cause some drivers issues, yes. The same rules apply to those as compared to the other roundabouts. UK is giveaway to the right, same for mini-roundabouts although what tends to happen here is, because drivers are so close together, they get confused about who is going when, so end up moving all together. 😂
www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html - this may help 👍🏻
On large roundabouts with multiple lanes in, they are usually marked to help with direction. 2 lanes could be ok to go straight on as well as right lane to turn right.
Technically (i.e. the law says) that you MUST drive around the left of the roundabout unless your vehicle physically cannot. That applies to mini roundabouts as much to larger ones with raised centres.
However, so many people fail to do it correctly that we have to be cautious of others who might go pretty much anywhere, including straight over or even around the right of it!
@@clickrick - “straight on at the roundabout!” 😂 literally yeah, half of em do
@@Richard_Barnes Thank you!
Question for Ashley and it's always bugged me.
When you're driving down a tight residential street (like near were you live Ash before you go on to your estate) In the dark and I pull over to let someone through without flashing, but they flash to say thankyou I always feel mean for not flashing them back because the may not be able to see my thumbs up or hand wave, I always feel ignorant, what would you do in that situation?
Don't flash. It can be misleading
@@skylarius3757 yeah I get that, but when your stationary and they acknowledge you letting them past by flashing, not alot of people would see you wave at them so I feel ignorant, so I'm asking would you just wave in the hope of been seen or what. May seem a daft question but just wondering Ashley's point of view on it, but of course other people's opinions of course count.
If you stop to let someone through and they thank you, it's really not necessary to thank them for thanking you. (How far would you go with this? Would you then expect another 'thank you' from them?) On the other hand, you could flash provided that there's no one around who could be misled.
To acknowledge being let through without blinding the other driver you can switch from dip to side lights and back again.
In 45 yrs of driving, I've never experienced a quick flash to say thank you, as causes an issue providing you consider who else may see it.
Well explained as always.
Having looked up your rental on the Volvo website, how good (or bad) was this in terms of mpg? Nowhere close to the BMW is my educated guess.
Hi Graham. The Volvo was reasonable on fuel for what it was. Early 20’s round town and 30+ on a run. Nice motor though. 👍🏼
@@ashley_neal Not as good as the manufacturer claims then - unless I was looking at the wrong model 😔.
Thanks Ashley 👍
It was the XC60 T5. Petrol and automatic so not too bad really!
@@ashley_neal Ah..... now that makes sense, especially with all the different options. Cheers 👍
New series!
Motorway
Dual Carriageway
Single Carriageway
Single lane?
One Way?
What are all of the names of types of roads?
"Dual carriageway" means that the two directions of travel are separated by some kind of medium like a grass median or barriers. You can have 1, 2, 3, 4+ lanes on either side and it is still a dual carriageway. Single carriageway could still have two lanes for each direction of travel but won't be separated by a medium.
6:01 onwards. Hands past 12? Your thoughts? 😉
Crossing hands is not an issue Mike. Did you think otherwise?
@@ashley_neal It depends 😂 Slow speed manoeuvres I would, or for a turn that needs a big initial bite, but once one the move I don't. Once they are past 12 you can't steer easily in that direction if the situation changes. It's always a good discussion and I was interested in your thoughts. I'm sure it will come up when you do your IAM. Some are 100% against it. Some are mix and match, like me.
What’s unsafe about it at any speed as long as the car is still in control?
I hope IAM bring it up when I go, in fact I might do it on purpose and see whether they have any reasoning behind their foibles 👍🏼
@@ashley_neal Once past 12, if the situation changes and you need to steer further in the that direction, your options are limited. I'm sure others will chip in.
As a cyclist one thing that really shocks and upsets me is when someone passes me in L1 without even slightly straddling. All too often I find my ears pick up a car approaching in L2, but the sound of that car being closer masks the car slightly behind or practically parallel in L1, and so it's really shocking, surprising and stressful to be close passed in this situation. While using a mirror could help clock people who do this, it's really not enough just to see it coming. The drivers just really shouldn't be putting cyclists in that position.
Where's Post10 when you need him?
We need to see some whirlpools :D
My problem with this video, is that when the bus pulled out at the roundabout, you did not speed up and blast your horn at it, and then shout #itsondashcam
I have become addicted to your channel and think I might have a crush on you. Nutty granny here x
👍👍👍
for the video: how do you know when a tyre is flat when driving a car?
You are likely to hear a funny bumpy noise and you may lose steering and power
Depends how flat you mean - if it’s low, you may not notice. If it’s flat as a pancake, it will be like permanently going over a speed bump
Your question has already been turned into a video and is scheduled in the near future. Thanks for asking 👍🏼
Well, I'm disappointed. After waiting for the lady to cross, you entered the roundabout, with a bus ahead entering the roundabout from the next junction. As a dashcammer, it is important that in these situations, you accelerate, cutting across lanes, to then brake harshly while holding the horn. My expectations were unfulfilled, how could you?
Beats me why the majority park forwards into their driveways you can always reverse in, even in rush hour, maybe usually when its time to reverse out there's usually a jam outside helping you get out more safely or the roads usually relatively free of traffic. Reversing in would make the boot nearer the door and easier to jump start the car and the noise from a car alarm siren would be far more efficiently and effectively pronounced.
I used to live on a busy main road and would usually try to reverse in but believe me, you can't _always_ do it. Other drivers will stop a foot behind you no matter what signals and positions you use and even if they don't do that, they will get aggressive as you sit there, indicating and with reversing lights on, waiting for an opportunity to reverse into the driveway. Of course, there were some who could see what I was doing and act accordingly. Because it was usually quieter when I pulled out of the drive, I eventually found it safer/less hassle to reverse out, even across both lanes.
@@PedroConejo1939 With light covid era traffic you would think it would be quite possible at the moment though.
@@marklittler784 Yes but it would depend on the road. Traffic here during rush hour seems no different to 'normal'.
Not always possible on a busy road. Especially on a single multi lane road. If there's a bus or any high vehicle in front of you in outside lane you could not see anything coming in the opposite direction. What about when you get a rare opportunity and get the chance to reverse in there could be a cyclist coming up on inside lane from the same direction as you came from. Just leave it until traffic eases off.
@@PedroConejo1939 I've seen one or two houses with "car turntables" - these allow cars to be driven in forwards, then turned, then drive out forwards.