Speeding, a hypothetical

[flappist]

This is a hypothetical based on a not uncommon occurrence on the roads in Australia.

You are driving on a regional arterial dual lane (as in 1 lane in each direction) road in a line of vehicles.
If front of you are 3 4WDs towing caravans.
Behind you are 3 average medium to large passenger cars.
The speed limit is 100.
You are all doing 80 as the 4WDs are just dawdling along and have been doing so for the past 200km except for overtaking zones where they always speed up and then slow down again when the road narrows.

Ahead is an overtaking zone, the last one for 30km, and after that a lot of sections of windy road with steep inclines where the 4WDs will get down to 50 or 60 km/h.

As you enter the overtaking zone the 4WDs accelerate to 100.
There is now a second lane for you to overtake if you wish to but you will need to get to 120 to get past all 3 or 140 to get past with enough space for those behind you to have a chance to get past as well.

Do you:

Just sit behind them as they are doing the speed limit and allow any behind you to pass.

Move to the right to overtake but just sit beside the 3rd 4WD as it is now doing 100 and then drop back at the other end of the zone preventing others overtaking.

Overtake all 3 at the minimum possible speed so that you get past but no one else does in case there is a speed camera or radar.

Overtake at 140 slowing back to 100 at the other end of the zone to get clear and allow as many others as possible past.

This poll is about how YOU react to this situation not how you think others should react or legalities or an assessment of the 4WD or car drivers.

Just to preempt the wowsers who are going to post that this is a very contrived or unlikely scenario, it is not uncommon at all on regional roads in my state (QLD) and interestingly the rego plates on the 4WDs almost always have blue or black characters not maroon.

[pottery beige]

mirrors, indicate, mash pedal.... pass mouth breathers as safely as possible with regards to exposure time..

indicate, re merge left.. resume posted limit....

[XR6T0Y]

Getting around them as fast as possible, in a safe manner. Get sick of people that overtake someone that's doing 108 at 110. They are in the right lane for days and makes it so no one else can go around. Most of the time when I overtake, I look behind me to see if anyone is about to go, ahead of me to make sure there is a gap in front of the car I am passing and on the other side of the road (right lane) so there is no holdups.

[MAD]

Pull out to overtake, flash high beams like a mad man and get on the horn. Should distract them a bit and make them slow down.

[pottery beige]

poll should be public....

[paule11]

This happened to a mate of mine a few weeks ago in his 1954 Landrover stuck behind a caravan doing 85 to 90 . Came to overtaking lane got up to 100 then Landcruiser is up to 100 and laughing at him as he tries to get by then he goes to 110 same thing hits 120km at the end of overtaking lane Landcruiser backs of and my mate is caught by the highway patrol . Landcruiser driver goes past laughing. Mate tells highway patrol what happened and he should have been able to safely pass at 100 and he should not have to do 120 to get past .He told policeman he should not book him but fine the Landcruiser driver with the caravan as people like that will kill someone. Copper agrees said he hears this every day and people like that cause accidents and kill people copper takes off and books the Landcruiser driver

Some years ago another mate got caught for 140 cop asks why he is doing it ,and he said have been doing 75 to 85 behind 8 caravans for 2 hours and finally got past because every time there was an overtaking lane they sped up. Cop says get going but don't speed then he pulled over the caravans.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

poll should be public....

Poll is public, click on one of the numbers.

[BENT_8]

None, if they were being ********* I would pull over, take a pee, have a smoke, grab a cuppa at a driver reviver and then resume my journey.

I always allow myself a window of time to allow for unforseen holdups etc.

having said that, I have travelled plenty of kilometres and cant remember a time when anyone has 'sped' up in an overtaking lane scenario.

Im starting to think all this poor driver attitude is an eastern states thing as it just doesn't happen here as often as you guys make it out to.

[Dash_XR]

Round them up as quickly as possible then sit in front of then on 40 for the next 100k.


Not really but that's what id like to do. This happens all the time when I go to visit my folks, to the point where they setup camera cars on the overtaking areas to get people doing the above.

[Fordman]

Originally Posted by Dash_XR

Round them up as quickly as possible then sit in front of then on 40 for the next 100k.


Not really but that's what id like to do. This happens all the time when I go to visit my folks, to the point where they setup camera cars on the overtaking areas to get people doing the above.

haha me too.

Still though id get passed as quickly as possible and gap them a bit, there is no way id let one of the 4wd's back past after said action of them speeding up just to keep me behind.

[paule11]

What gets me is you have someone doing 80 or 90 with 15 cars behind them and when you overtake and sit on 100 to 108 they speed up and sit behind you.

[Rodge]

If this situation presented itself without an overtake lane, but I was 100% confident I could safely get past all vehicles at once in a straight section of road well within half the clear visible distance ahead, I'd mash the throttle to the firewall and would overtake them all at once regardless of the terminal velocity reached, and afterwards be thinking, gee I'm glad I own a SC FPV Just being honest, if that makes me a bad bugger, well too bad.

[GTP534]

We encountered something similar to paule11 without the HWP element.

We were driving up the Putty Road enroute to the Hunter Valley, it was the Saturday in April when it was raining cats and dogs.

We were cruising along at 100kmh and came upon this Landcruiser which then sped up to about 120 on the straights. I was keeping a good distance back and when we came to some windy hilly bits he slowed right down and then on the straights up to 120 again and would pull away from us. There were a couple of overtaking lane sections but they would end as we closed in on him.

This went on for about 30kms. I could see we were coming up to a long section of uphill winding road with a lot of 35, 45 and 55kmh posted corners.

I just put the ZF across to Performance, indicated, pulled out and hit the throttle. Man, did this Panther take-off! Wife looks across at me and says, "You should have done that a long time ago!" The car was very stable in the wet.

Once we were past we just settled back to 100kmh and by the time the first corner came up the Landcruiser was well back.

It's good to read the posts were the HWP used their discretion. It is annoying when drivers speed up as they're about to or are being overtaken.

[jpd80]

I take a very dim view of drivers who speed up just as you're attempting to overtake them,
even worse is the tool that then realises a crash is coming and hits the brakes while you're trying to pull in behind them.

And then ther's the tool that just has to overtake you before jumping on the brakes to exit left...

The best one is arrogant MB SUV drivers who think it OK to exit a service station to the left,
drive against four lanes of oncoming traffic to make a U-turn to get to the right turn lane...

I'm sure there's a special academy that trains these wackers, there seems to be so many of them these days..

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by paule11

This happened to a mate of mine a few weeks ago in his 1954 Landrover stuck behind a caravan doing 85 to 90 . Came to overtaking lane got up to 100 then Landcruiser is up to 100 and laughing at him as he tries to get by then he goes to 110 same thing hits 120km at the end of overtaking lane Landcruiser backs of and my mate is caught by the highway patrol . Landcruiser driver goes past laughing. Mate tells highway patrol what happened and he should have been able to safely pass at 100 and he should not have to do 120 to get past .He told policeman he should not book him but fine the Landcruiser driver with the caravan as people like that will kill someone. Copper agrees said he hears this every day and people like that cause accidents and kill people copper takes off and books the Landcruiser driver

Some years ago another mate got caught for 140 cop asks why he is doing it ,and he said have been doing 75 to 85 behind 8 caravans for 2 hours and finally got past because every time there was an overtaking lane they sped up. Cop says get going but don't speed then he pulled over the caravans.

Very lucky indeed!

Same thing happened to me driving to QLD... cept I only got a flash from the Fuzz. Which was lucky as It was double demerits... But I would have only been doing 10-15k over after being a good boy the 500km prior.

It's really rude when drivers do this... Is there a minimum gap between caravans / trucks?? Is / was it 80m or there abouts. Why would a bunch of caravans drive in convoy with only 10-15m between them?? Makes it impossible to overtake van by van at a little lower speed than have to pass 4 at once because they are slip streaming....

[Matty4]

This exact scenario happened to me several years ago.
Was following a couple of slow moving vehicles through some windy bits (that could still be taken comfortably at 100 mind you) doing between 80-90. After several k's it opened up and I had clear road for a couple of k's before the car coming in the opposite direction would pose an issue.
Indicated and pulled out, sped up to 105 or so and at that point they also sped up back to the limit. Here I am, wrong side of the road, not really making any progress on them, with the on coming car getting closer and closer.
What do I do? Force my way back in? Hit the anchors and then drop back in behind them again? Or boot it for a couple of seconds to round them all up?

Took the 3rd (and safest for all concerned ) approach.
On coming was an unmarked who promptly spun around and nabbed me.

Explained what just happened, couldn't care less. I said, if I had not sped up I would have either forced them off the road trying get back in or you and I may have had a head on if I didn't speed up. I don't care, came the reply. Here's your ticket, you'll be walking for 6 months.

12 months later I had my day in court, both Officers lied on the stand and in their brief about the circumstances. However the Magistrate agreed with me on the correct decision I made in that split second to avoid any potential carnage.
As the Police wouldn't drop or lower the charge the magistrate had to take my licence, but reduced the fine payable quite substantially.

Once bitten, twice shy. (both in the overtaking and the behaviour of the Police).
Everything is now recorded.

[BENT_8]

Whilst im not insisting that these stories aren't true, I am surprised that this is as prevalent as is being portrayed.
I mean, apart from the risks involved or the possibility of being nabbed, im blown away at the driver attitude aspect of it.

I honestly cant remember any time in my driving career, ever coming across a situation where this type of thing has occurred from what would be perceived as a spiteful act etc.
Sure, I've bee in situations where the nature of the environment allows for them to gain a degree of momentum, a downhill or straightening of a section etc. and if your travelling any sort of distance with any sort of weight, you too would take every opportunity to get there as fast as possible.

In fact, it eludes me as to why anyone would drop a van on the back of their vehicle and proceed to travel hundreds of kilometres below a speed they are obviously, judging by their ability to speed up at the overtake lanes, clear sections etc. capable of doing safely.

In SA most of our overtaking lanes are strategically placed where slow vehicles would struggle and cause holdups to faster motorists, these are usually on inclines etc. the idea that slow vehicles could gain momentum in those instances is an interesting notion

[mik]

In my younger days if an opportunity to safely blast past them like they were standing still came up i probably would have risked getting pinged and done it, these days as Bent 8 said i would be pulling up to kick the tyres and take a break/snack /kip and resume later , licence is worth to much to me to lose because of some inconsiderate scum bag.

[mik]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Whilst im not insisting that these stories aren't true, I am surprised that this is as prevalent as is being portrayed.
I mean, apart from the risks involved or the possibility of being nabbed, im blown away at the driver attitude aspect of it.

I honestly cant remember any time in my driving career, ever coming across a situation where this type of thing has occurred from what would be perceived as a spiteful act etc.
Sure, I've bee in situations where the nature of the environment allows for them to gain a degree of momentum, a downhill or straightening of a section etc. and if your travelling any sort of distance with any sort of weight, you too would take every opportunity to get there as fast as possible.

In fact, it eludes me as to why anyone would drop a van on the back of their vehicle and proceed to travel hundreds of kilometres below a speed they are obviously, judging by their ability to speed up at the overtake lanes, clear sections etc. capable of doing safely.

In SA most of our overtaking lanes are strategically placed where slow vehicles would struggle and cause holdups to faster motorists, these are usually on inclines etc. the idea that slow vehicles could gain momentum in those instances is an interesting notion

come to victoria old mate, we have many special drivers/people here .

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by mik

come to victoria old mate, we have many special drivers/people here .

Yep, you have that right. Every day when I head home to Gisborne there is a three lane stretch on the Calder posted at 110.. If you want to pass all the people doing 85-95 you best get in the left hand lane The right hand lane has the 4x4 doing 85 passing the semi in the middle lane doing about 65.

One of the reasons for this I believe is the "Left Lane Ends" policy. In the UK it is the right lane that ends. Trucks have a hell of a time merging at that left lane ends whilst changing up a gazzilion gears trying to build up speed and "blinkerd selfish moron" refuses to speed up or drives up the next cars *** so as not to allow anyone in.

We have some serious issues on the roads here and the focus just seems to be on speed without a though about proper driver education and common sense along with dropping the "sod you Jack", I'm ok attitude.

And I will add, on freeways I keep left, pull out, overtake and merge left asap.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by mik

come to victoria old mate, we have many special drivers/people here .

They are finally putting in overtaking lanes along Lancefield Rd, a dangerous two way road because of the blind curves and dips in the road.

But now I think its been a waste of money doing these works, because of the slow cars doing 80 or 90 suddenly speeding up at these overtaking lanes to the 100 kph speed limit.

[UberKnee]

This is one of those situations where what looks good on paper (speed limits, etc.) doesn't work in the real world. If you're stuck behind people who dwadle along 90% of the time but then speed up at every potential overtaking zone/area. Then personally at least choice comes down to zoom past them and shout a few obscenities or stay behind them and shout obscenities for the next 100ks.

[UberKnee]

Originally Posted by JG66ME

One of the reasons for this I believe is the "Left Lane Ends" policy. In the UK it is the right lane that ends. Trucks have a hell of a time merging at that left lane ends whilst changing up a gazzilion gears trying to build up speed and "blinkerd selfish moron" refuses to speed up or drives up the next cars *** so as not to allow anyone in.

Thats one of those little things that are rarely if ever thought of but make a huge difference.

[FGX-351]

This scenario is a good example of what it's like traveling on the Bruce highway North of Gympie.

[blackf6]

I just kick her back a couple of cogs, mash it to the floor. Round them all up and on my way. Easy as. The quicker the maneuver is done the better. In the truck though I just try and pass on the limiter. If they don't let me pass I just keep up it and then pull out when there is oncoming traffic. The nomads always cave and let you by. All hypothetical of course.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

In SA most of our overtaking lanes are strategically placed where slow vehicles would struggle and cause holdups to faster motorists, these are usually on inclines etc. the idea that slow vehicles could gain momentum in those instances is an interesting notion

That's true for the most part but there's still plenty of places where this isn't the case. One stretch is from Lochiel to Pt Augusta on Highway 1. Once you get over the hills between there and Pt Wakefield there's no significant climbs that will slow down anything. On more than 1 occasion I've encountered those tossers who decide it's their job to keep the rest of us behind them on that stretch.

What chits me more is when there's no passing lanes but some timid pussy sits behind said tossers doing 90 and hasn't got the stones to go around even when there's a clear road but still sits on tossers bumper so nobody else can get in and hop past them. Then the next guy to get there sits behind him and won't go either because he now has to pass tossers and timid pussy #1, but still sits on his bumper, and then 3rd guy gets there and won't go because he now has to pass 2 pussys and the tossers and so it goes. By the time you get there you're 5 cars back from the tossers and if you want to make progress you need to pass what is effectively a 3 trailer road train, and some, if you want to get by. For those that say pull over and have a spell, how long do you need to sit and wait before you go again so you don't just catch up to the train again in half an hours time and still have the same problem because by that reasoning my 6hr trip would or could turn into 7 or even 8hrs.


Bushbasher

[KIWI-1]

Originally Posted by JG66ME

One of the reasons for this I believe is the "Left Lane Ends" policy.

Trying to educate son on L plates that "Left Lane Ends" is a warning that it is time for him to work out what to do before the left lane ends, not move into the right lane now. In Vic it is not too bad, but in NSW I stay in the left lane at 100kph until it ends, passing all those doing 80kph who have moved out of my way into the right hand lane.

[mr smith]

Did it last night, no caravans just some interstate old dudes in Camrys on my fave bit of road.
Now, I have been vocal in don't speed then you don't get caught...blah, blah, blah... but if need be I have no problem heading up over 110 if req. Difference to most is that if I get busted I know what the rules are, and if I choose to ignore them, regardless if I agree with them I will take what is coming without whinging like a little girl.

[Dash_XR]

I think your sons got it right to be honest, to me what he's doing is safer then overtaking on the left and cutting in at the last minute.

[pottery beige]

once upon a time some dude played cant get past me in overtake lanes on highway one south of Pt Augusta.. i was in 2.8D Hilux..

he learned a very hard lesson.. in how to play nice that day....































may or may not be a true strory