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After a very good day out at RAF Cosford we had to travel home down the motorways, and I must say the standard of driving is very bad. There was a women in the middle lane doing about 55mph everybody had to overtake on the outside lane expect the lorries who undertook, they had no choice. But lets get to the first 2 close for comfort, I was in the nearside lane doing about 70mph just coming up to a junction when a woman overtook me she then indicated to pull back in but slowed down which meant I had to slow down as I could not overtake her on the inside, when she pulled back in she put her brakes on causing me to brake harder [good job nothing was behind me] She then shot across the white diagnial lines and up the slipway with only a few yards to go before hitting the bank. Why did she overtake me knowing she was going to turn off this could have been a very serious accident.
The second 2 close for comfort we were nearly home with just about 3 miles to go [ it was dark by now] when I went round a right handed bend only to find there was a van on my side of the road travelling at great speed. How I missed it and the hedgerow I don't know but it must have been by inches, this one shook me up abit.
All down the motorway people were just pulling out cutting others up and driving in the dark without lights and I know I will get some stick over this but as far as I could see they were all women. apart from a bloke who kept braking every few yards for no reason at all.

[Purplevvc]

I have to agree the standard of driving on the roads is getting worse all the time. I think its partly down to the way people are taught now where they are taught how to pass the test rather than actually being taught how to drive. Add that to the number of distractions people have in their cars like mobiles, ipods, sat nav, dvd players etc, with all these things its quite possible to forget you are driving.

I chose to avoid the motorways heading home, much more relaxed drive.

Well done on the double by the way, best in class AND best in show

[214cab]

My missus has an adversion to the inside lane of the motorway, as it seems do millions of other (male and female) drivers.

On a clear road, i always like to make a point after overtaking them by going back across to the inside lane, i'm sure no one notices but i like to think i'm showing them an extra lane!

[E_T_V]

There's no rule to say you can't overtake on the inside.

I used to see things like that everyday. You just learn to deal with them.

[phil58hatch]

There's no rule to say you can't overtake on the inside.

I used to see things like that everyday. You just learn to deal with them.

Your allowed to "undertake" in the u.s.a,but all most certain you can't undertake in this country & swop/change either way across lane's "undertaking" think you find the POLICE have a very deem view of this sort of driving?! can't say i care for it!! ...... PHIL.

[E_T_V]

There is no law against undertaking in the UK. It was repealed many years ago.

Infact it is clearly stated in the highway code that on a multi-lane one way road, you should expect cars to pass you on either side (or some wording such like).

Undertaking isn't illegal, however if you do it unsafely then expect to get done by the rozzers.

However if you have a middle lane moron and you pass them whilst not leaving the slow lane then there is no issue.

[phil58hatch]

Yeah,agree in some case's you have no choice,but to undertake i.e traffic jam's,& slow moving "middle lane" driver's! But like TREVOR,on the way home our car was nearly involved in what could have been a "Deadly Accident" NOT once but TWICE!! First one being,car joining motorway faster than car's on inner & middle lane's (we were in the middle lane,just in process of coming up to & overtaking a coach)the prat went for a gap that was NOT there! up untill i had to brake .....rather hard to avoid him!! Remember,it's not much fun at anytime,in our case we had children on board,further down the motorway traffic started to build up,we noticed he kept on moving all over the place speeding up & slowing down ..slamming his brake's on & off,totally "winding" other road user's up..then later left the motorway from the outside lane to slip road very very late! nearly Missed It,All together!
Second "prat",while in a slow moving traffic jam Stop/Starting,riding up other car's including our's,went ALL Lane's inc:breakdown! Bullied his way through non-existing gap's! several "near misse's".....Don't get me wrong i like fast driving,in the right place at the right time! And have settled down a lot since we've had our son,Not that i've ever classed myself as a dangerous driver!?
Anyway,we were ALL Glad to get Home SAFE & SOUND ......... PHIL.

[roverman1]

I know what you mean, having got family in Los Angeles i have been there a few times and the driving there makes our motorways look like nuns walking at a funeral , the limit is 65 on most freeways but every driver does about 80 to 100 mph and the Hollywood freeway 101 is a shocking nightmare.

[phil58hatch]

I know what you mean, having got family in Los Angeles i have been there a few times and the driving there makes our motorways look like nuns walking at a funeral , the limit is 65 on most freeways but every driver does about 80 to 100 mph and the Hollywood freeway 101 is a shocking nightmare.

My Parent's used to live in SANTA CRUZ,one year we drove from there to UTAH,now that was a drive & a half! ...But FUN! went past salt lake's (Land Speed Record's) 80mph through Navada,no-more or your get "nicked" by the bird in the sky!! Highway Police were friendly,stopped at Motel,had breakfast at Diner,Patrolman came in took a shine to my son,asked if we were going soon?Got us to wait,went back to station brought back Deputy Badge & Sheriff Badge & Station card,plus showed my Son around the Patrol Car,put "Blue's & Two's" on,sat him in car..photo's taken! Do You Think That Happen's To "kid's" Here?? Doubtful,.......... PHIL.