Slow Drivers - Traffic Obstruction and Driving Etiquette

Ash-Say on 20/02/2020 - 08:41
Last edited 20/02/2020 - 09:46 by 1 other user

During last few weeks, I have found quite a large number of slow drivers who are doing 20 to 30KM in 50KM zone. You can't cross them because it's single lane road with double solid line and then you are stuck behind them sometimes for 3 to 4Km.

Some observations about slow driving:

1) Mobile use
2) Old people
3) Trying to find house where they have to go
4) Learner Driver
5) Driver new to Australia ( my understanding)

Also noted that few people just stop next to car parked in kerbside so they are still half on the main road. They are either waiting for someone to jump in the car or dropping off passenger.

Is it just me or people generally slow these days and don't care about traffic behind them?

What would you do in this situation?

Poll Options

  • 281
    Blow the horn
  • 31
    Use high beam light
  • 123
    Suck it up and keep following them
  • 10
    I don't care and will cross double line as long as it's safe to do
  • 12
    Tailgate
Automotive

Comments

    • Stphen on 21/02/2020 - 15:59

      Now do the math on how much time people waste reading forum threads like this one ;)

      • pegaxs on 21/02/2020 - 17:08

        10 mins making/reading useless replies vs 4 mins added to a trip to work… who would win… :D

    • coffeeinstance on 23/02/2020 - 20:58

      Thats great. So there is no fine for someone driving at half the limit and blocking traffic? It works both ways.

      • pegaxs on 23/02/2020 - 23:22

        There is a fine for “unreasonably obstructing other drivers” (ARR 125), BUT… there is a caveat for slower drivers…

        2) For this rule, a driver does not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a pedestrian only because

        (a) the driver is stopped in traffic, or
        (b) the driver is driving more slowly than other vehicles (unless the driver is driving abnormally slowly in the circumstances).

        But, what is “abnormally slow”? I don’t think 30km/h in a 50 zone would qualify (although, from the butt hurt in this thread, 45 in a 50 would be considered “abnormally slow”), but 30 in a 100, absolutely.

        • apsilon on 24/02/2020 - 06:16

          I think 40% under the speed limit qualifies, especially on a single lane road with restricted passing options.

          • Euphemistic on 24/02/2020 - 07:40

            @apsilon: 40% under sounds reasonable, but abnormally slow will not apply if it is a reasonable speed for the vehicle. Ie a tractor would not be booked for abnormally slow on a freeway doing 40km/h while a modern hatchback might be booked if conditions were good. A cyclist is highly unlikely to be booked for abnormally slow doing 25km/h, or even 10km/h up a hill as it a normal speed for a cyclist.

            • pegaxs on 24/02/2020 - 09:50

              @Euphemistic: Added to that, 40% is reasonable at freeway speed to be considered abnormally slow (in WA, it's 20km/h under the limit at free/highway speeds), but in a 50 or 60km/h zone, I don't think it would apply at 40% and would be closer to walking pace and only then if it was considerably impacting on traffic flow

              • apsilon on 24/02/2020 - 10:15

                @pegaxs: You're kidding yourself if you think 5km/h (walking pace) in a 50km/h zone is the speed you'd need to get to before it was unreasonable. At 30km/h it's already heavily impacting traffic flow.

                • pegaxs on 24/02/2020 - 10:34
                  +1

                  @apsilon: 40% in a 50 zone would be 30km/h. Hardly the traffic blocking apocalypse you are trying to be outraged about. But, you know, throw your arms up in the air and yell at something. (although, 60 in a 100 zone I can understand as being unsafe.)

                  I’m sure the 30 seconds you lose on your daily travels behind a driver doing 30 in a 50 zone is life or death, as I am sure, what you do is that time critical that this huge “inconvenience” could mean disaster…

                  Or you know, the fact that you probably took longer to write your reply than what a 30 in a 50 zone driver would have actually cost you… but, entitlement, right?

                  Oh, and I didn’t say 5km/h, what I said was… “closer to walking speed” and "only if it was considerably obstructing traffic flow…" ie: if it was just you stuck behind this vehicle, gesticulating in your car and frothing at the bung while some old timer did 15km/h in a 50 (as 15km/h is "closer" to walking pace than 60%), I doubt the police would bat an eye. But if the old timer had 20 cars lined up behind them, this may be an obstruction.

                  • apsilon on 24/02/2020 - 13:10

                    @pegaxs: Well walking pace is 5km/h or slower for most so how much closer to walking speed? 10km/h? Maybe you're an Olymyic speed walker?

                    In my case it was a 4km stretch of road that's also a primary link road for the local area so it is heavily used by traffic. This driver would plod along in peak hour at 20 - 30 km/h with a line of cars behind them (and yes it was often well over 20 cars) most of which would illegally overtake as the slow car wouldn't speed up or pull over despite hundred of honks etc. Over the months that I encountered them I saw hundreds of cars illegally but understandably over take over doubles or on the shoulder.

                    Yes in the scheme of things it's a small amount of time and a minor inconvenience but small amounts add up. 4km at 50km/will take ~5min. 4km at 30km/h takes ~8min so that's 3min every workday or 15min a week or 12 hours a year by each and every person because of one inconsiderate driver.

                    You can blame it on the drivers and call them impatient etc but one driver impacting hundreds of others is obstructing traffic.

                • Euphemistic on 24/02/2020 - 10:49
                  +2

                  @apsilon: Most 50km/h zones are residential and low traffic. 30 in a 50 is unlikely to ‘heavily impact traffic flow’. At worst it’s going to inconvenience a couple of cars.

                  What you are basically going on about is ‘get out of MY way’

  • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 11:03
    +10

    Be honest with yourself. Have you really been held up that long? Think about the actual distance and time not ‘it felt like forever’. You’ll probably be surprised how little time you have ‘been held up’. Most likely any time you have been delayed is insignificant compared to what red lights and general traffic delays cost.

    Sure it’s frustratibg at times. sometimes you can tell the driver isn’t concentrating on driving like they should be but realistically what can you do? A quick toot of the horn is often enough to wake them up.

    Get over it. The road is there to share, and the speed limit isn’t what sped you have to travel at, it’s a maximum.

    • arkie0 on 20/02/2020 - 11:11
      +3

      Pegaxs already worked out you lose 3 mins for 4kms. Multiple that by the average OzB wage of $240 per hour = $12.

      • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 11:28
        +1

        The $12 "cost" is only relevant if OP was not paid as a result of this delay.
        How many people have deductions from their pay for being 3 minutes late for work (if that actually happened to OP)?
        Was OP cutting their commute to work so finely that this 3 minutes resulted in being late?

        It is all hypothetical stuff, and not worth worrying about.

        I think the world would be better if we all chilled out a bit.

        • arkie0 on 20/02/2020 - 11:39

          It's a measure of how you value your time, as the value of time is worth more to some than others we're assuming the value of your time is how much you would normally get paid.

          Say that 3 minutes made the difference between having on time childcare pickup vs a $50 late fee. If you make $15 an hour because you worked for coles, or target or george calombaris or others, thats 3 hours worth of your time.

          • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 11:47
            +1

            @arkie0: I understand that measure, but it probably didn't even come into play.
            Otherwise you would be applying that measure to everything during the day (waiting for the kettle to boil, waiting for pedestrian crossing / traffic light, sleeping, etc.).
            And most people (I assume) don't work 24-hour days, so you could equally discount that by 66%.

          • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 13:35
            +5

            @arkie0:

            Say that 3 minutes made the difference between having on time childcare pickup vs a $50 late fee.

            And there is the inherent problem. It’s not about being delayed 3 min, it is about scheduling your time so poorly that 3min is a problem. If it is going to cost you $50 for being 3 min late, then you need to ensure you leave with 6min to spare so you can be early.

            • arkie0 on 20/02/2020 - 13:46
              -3

              @Euphemistic: lol sounds like victim blaming

              • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 15:37
                +2

                @arkie0: Be that as it may, if you plan to be exactly on time and traffic happens and you are late it is your fault because traffic happens all the time. It might not be a painfully slow driver, might be roadworks, crash, tractor or a myriad of other things.

                Assuming there will be no delays on the roads is a very poor decision.

        • trapper on 21/02/2020 - 13:41
          +2

          The $12 "cost" is only relevant if OP was not paid as a result of this delay.

          My free time is worth more than my work time, otherwise I would work longer hours.

      • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 11:28
        +5

        I suspect that the 3-4km is actually significantly less and the 20-30under the limit is also an exaggeration.

        Working at roadworks sites it’s surprising how many people complain about being held up for 10min when it’s actually 2min (times).

        • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 11:45
          +7

          And the speeds here are probably closer to 40~50 in the 50 zone, but due to people's poor time management and their urgency to get to work/home, it will seem much slower than what it actually is.

          And seldom is it 20km/h for 4km "every day". It may seem that far and seem that slow, but it seldom is.

          • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 16:12
            +1

            @pegaxs: I was literally stuck behind someone doing 30km/hr in a 70 just yesterday.

            I agree that it's a limit, not a minimum and I hate people who speed, tail gate, get involved in road rage and blame others for accidents caused by their own impatience BUT I do wish there was an effective and polite way to remind others going slowly that they're holding others up.

            • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 17:21
              +1

              @syousef: And how long for? Did it ruin your day or did you sigh and get on with it?

              • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 18:03

                @Euphemistic: Only for about 3-5 minutes. It didn't ruin my day at all. I'd say I grumbled rather than sighed. When I did overtake I noticed that the driver was leisurely drinking his coffee without a care in the world. Good for him, but some of us have to work. I'd rather deal with a slow driver than a speeder, but dealing with neither is best.

        • capslock janitor on 20/02/2020 - 18:09
          +2

          i enjoy doing 40km in a construction zone on highway with the sign, and everyone else doing original 80km/h on my right.. im bit sad they dont get fined

          • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 18:16

            @capslock janitor: If the limit is 40, i'm not complaining about people doing 40 or even 35. If the limit is 70 and you're doing 30 you bet I'm complaining.

            I was once almost killed doing 40 on the Hume by a pair of semi trailers who ran me off the road doing over 100. I hope you understand the danger when speeds are so different. That is what annoys and makes me sad.

  • John Kimble on 20/02/2020 - 11:10
    +2

    Polite horn or quick high beam and a hurry up gesture with the hands/arms.

  • dogboy on 20/02/2020 - 11:18

    Other observations of slow drivers:
    - They always seem to drive a Corolla, Yaris, Mazda 2, Barina (usually white)
    - Don't seem to understand the right lane is for overtaking
    - They indicate right when going straight through a roundabout (worse than driving slow imo)

  • Baysew on 20/02/2020 - 11:36
    +1

    Maybe they are driving slow because there might be a car stopped next to car parked in kerbside so they are still half on the main road.

  • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 11:49

    To be realistic, the real problem is that we have roads.
    If we didn't have roads, and therefore didn't drive on them, we could just go on the most direct route. Much quicker.

  • Mrbean007 on 20/02/2020 - 12:24
    -2

    Easy fix if your in no hurry overtake when clear then slowdown even more in front of them im sure they will get the message.

    See it everyday unfortunately also no signaling when turning or pulling to the kerb.

    The best is from a single to a double lane they intend to speed up. :)

    • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 13:07
      +1

      If you aren't in a hurry, why would you bother doing that?

    • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 13:34
      +3

      im sure they will get the message

      They wont "get the message" because in their mind, what they are doing is "right" and what you are doing is "being a dick driver"

      What you are suggesting is similar to going outside and rapping over a dogs nose with a newspaper all because they shit on the carpet inside 10 mins ago. Your actions do not teach the other driver anything, because there is no connection from what you are doing (dealing out as punishment) to how they affected you (what you perceived as wrong). The only place this correlation exists, is in your own mind.

      The only thing you are doing here is creating more of an issue, not "giving them a message".

      • Mrbean007 on 20/02/2020 - 15:24

        And there not being a dick driver speed sign indicates 50 not 40 or 30 whos the dick now.

        There should be fines in place to stop these idiots being on the road if they dont no how to drive they shouldnt be on the road excluding L drivers.

        • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 17:33

          Hold on, I didn't say that they are not being a dick, but you being a dick to them doesn't teach them anything.

          There is a very high possibility that they don't see what they are doing as being a dick thing to do, they will just notice you being a dick and think "why is this guy driving like a dick?" and not the "oh, that Mrbean007 guy really taught us a lesson there…" you were hoping for.

          So, not only have you wasted more of your time, you have also made the road less safe and potentially been a dick to the other innocent people still behind the driver who you are trying to teach a lesson to who wont get what you are trying to teach them anyway.

          • Mrbean007 on 20/02/2020 - 17:57

            @pegaxs: I would love to do it but wouldn't be game enough to.

            Glad i am 5 to 10 minutes away from work.

            Feel for the truck and courier drivers though putting up with it everyday.

  • TEER3X on 20/02/2020 - 13:51
    +1

    My favourites are the ones that go slow in the right lane on a freeway for example, then act like idiots

    Had someone doing 70 on city link (80kmh) and so I overtake from one of the left lanes, they speed up and force me to go 90-100 so I can barely cut back in, then they get angry and start tailgating me for cutting them off

    • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 14:12
      -8

      Why did you need to '…cut back in…' (the right lane I assume)?

      Who do you think is most dangerous; the driver driving at 70km/h (in an 80km zone) or the driver driving at 90-100km/h (in a 80km zone)?

      • dogboy on 20/02/2020 - 15:06
        +1

        The person doing 70km in the right lane because it causes other people to do 90-100km/hr.

      • bobbified on 20/02/2020 - 15:40
        +5

        Who do you think is most dangerous; the driver driving at 70km/h (in an 80km zone) or the driver driving at 90-100km/h (in a 80km zone)?

        Driving fast doesn't automatically equate to danger. Driving slow relative to other traffic and causing an obstruction can be just as dangerous, if not, worse.

        • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 16:15
          -1

          That isn't what the stats or the physics says.

          E = 0.5mv^2. Double your speed, quadruple your energy.

          • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2020 - 16:22
            +6

            @syousef: And higher energy doesn't equate to increased likelihood of impact.

            • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 16:30
              -5

              @[Deactivated]: Yes it actually absolutely does. That is exactly what it means. Your stopping distance is directly related to your speed/kinetic energy. Learn a bit of physics. You also get less reaction time.

              Worse, if you do hit, you don't want to be hitting with significantly more energy, and that squared in the equation means you will be.

            • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 17:53
              +1

              @[Deactivated]:

              And higher energy doesn't equate to increased likelihood of impact.

              Absolutely this… If more energy == higher likelihood of a crash, I would only drive around with 5 litres of fuel in the vehicle. Don't want 60+ litres of potential/stored energy ready to increase my risk of having an accident.

              Yes it actually absolutely does.

              And If this was the case, smaller cars would be the safer alternative, because of their lower mass, this decreses the amount of energy, in turn decreasing the risk of impacts…

              Biggest load of (fropanity) I've read in a while.

          • bobbified on 20/02/2020 - 18:16
            +1

            @syousef: I see you've been watching the government ads like a good sheep!

            Sorry to be the one telling you this, but there's more to driving than just the speed you're travelling at!

            • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 18:19
              -2

              @bobbified: It's simple physics. You can call me names, but the laws of nature won't change to suit your Dunning Kruger complex.

              Of course there's more to driving than the speed you're travelling at. I never said otherwise, so nice straw man. But at any given skill level, a slower speed is going to give you more time to react and the impact will do less damage if you (or someone else on the road) mess it up. It doesn't even need to be your own mistake that causes the accident. You and your passengers can still end up being killed or maimed.

              • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 19:18
                +4

                @syousef:

                a slower speed is going to give you more time to react and the impact will do less damage if you (or someone else on the road) mess it up.

                But, also, according to your "equation", I can travel at the same speed and just reduce the mass of the vehicle to have a similar affect. Ergo, we should all be driving lighter Fiat 500's instead of heavy Toyota LandCruisers.

                The only one with Dunning Kruger's here, is you. And it was hardly a "straw man" to mention that there is more to what is going on with regards to risk factors than just quoting the equation for working out a moving objects energy.

                E=mv^2 is not a measure of risk and only measures the amount of energy an object of a certain mass has at a certain velocity. And there is so much more to why an accident happens than to dumb it down to an erroneously attributed equation.

                The straw man here is you screaming "straw man" to try and shut down a debate that you well in over your head with. Your logical fallacy is "logical fallacy fallacy."

                • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 19:28
                  -4

                  @pegaxs:

                  But, also, according to your "equation", I can travel at the same speed and just reduce the mass of the vehicle to have a similar affect. Ergo, we should all be driving lighter Fiat 500's instead of heavy Toyota LandCruisers.

                  Sure, ideally we probably should. But if you need to be able to tow something significant, that's not the right vehicle for the job. So the answer depends on your needs. Also note that the Fiat 500 might not have the same structural integrity and safety features. Engineering is always tradeoffs.

                  The only one with Dunning Kruger's here, is you. And it was hardly a "straw man" to mention that there is more to what is going on with regards

                  Try again, buddy. What's the definition of a straw man? Setting up an argument I didn't make and attacking it. At no time did I say that speed was the only factor.

                  there is more to what is going on with regards to risk factors than just quoting the equation for working out a moving objects energy.

                  We were discussing that speed though, not the other factors. You insisted that there's more to it, minimizing the role speed plays. I countered with the physics of it. You insist that means I don't recognize there are other factors, which is complete baloney. The bottom line is speed does matter and is a key factor. You might not like that. It might not be convenient to you. But it is nonetheless true.

                  E=mv^2 is not a measure of risk and only measures the amount of energy an object of a certain mass has at a certain velocity. And there is so much more to why an accident happens than to dumb it down to an erroneously attributed equation.

                  And again, it doesn't matter how much more there is to an accident. The physics says if you're going faster, you're going to do more damage. End of story on that point. If you reduce your speed, you reduce the impact, and therefore the damage and the injury.

                  The straw man here is you screaming "straw man" to try and shut down a debate that you well in over your head with. Your logical fallacy is "logical fallacy fallacy."

                  I've explained very clearly and patiently to you why speed matters and you're ranting about everything else that matters calling me a sheep and carrying on like a pork chop. But this logical fallacy inception line takes the cake.

                  Do us all a favour, stop arguing, stop thinking you're woke or above the law, obey the damn speed limit, or get off the road. Otherwise the life you destroy might not be your own, even if the only mistake YOU make is insist on speeding. Others can still stuff up, and you'll splat harder. End of story.

                  • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 21:03
                    +2

                    @syousef:

                    obey the damn speed limit

                    OMG! STRAW MAN!!! I didn't say that I didn't obey the limits!

                    YOU make is insist on speeding

                    OMG! STRAW MAN!!! I never said that I insist on speeding

                    calling me a sheep

                    OMG! STRAW MAN!!! I never called you a sheep.

                    You insist that means I don't recognize there are other factors

                    OMG! STRAW MAN!!! I never insisted that you don't recognise other factors

                    See how silly it is just barking "straw man" every time you hear something you don't like/agree with??

                    Setting up an argument I didn't make and attacking it

                    This is not "straw man". If I, or anyone else mis-represented what you said, and attacked that directly, that's a straw man. Adding facts to a conversation and asking you why you didn't introduce or cover these other facts is not "straw man".

                    It isn't a straw man to pick apart your omission of details. They are expanding on the topic, not introducing something irrelevant and or unfounded to cut down your argument, more so pointing out that you have conveniently left out the details to suit your narrative. If only there was a fallacy for conveniently leaving facts out to suit your agenda… Like, if I was only picking the fruits off a type of tree that I wanted…

                    You insisted that there's more to it

                    That's because…. *drum_roll.mp3* there is…

                    minimizing the role speed plays.

                    No, it was added as a "contributing factor". And quite often in car accidents, speed is only a "portion" of what went wrong.

                    I countered with the physics of it.

                    No you didn't. You googled something and tried to force fit it to make a point. This equation has very little to do with the overall reason a crash happened or the risks of likely impact.

                    The statement was made that;

                    And higher energy doesn't equate to increased likelihood of impact.

                    To which you said;

                    Yes it actually absolutely does. That is exactly what it means.

                    Which is misleading at best and outright erroneous at worst. Working out the kinetic energy a vehicle has more to do with the "severity" of the impact than it does the "likelihood" of it happening in the first place. The fact that I can replace the "mass" of the vehicle and keep the speed the same but get a lesser energy value shows you that it's an irrelevant equation to propose on its own.

                    I'm sure that crash investigators will now be able to chuck all of their studies and calculations aside and replace everything with E=mv^2 and "sPeeD CaUsEs KiLLz".

                    It's obvious to me that all you have at your disposal is a connection to Google and you learned a few new hip and fancy phrases in the hope that they would automatically shut down any argument. And in such, all I can impart to you is some wise words I once heard someone say;

                    Do us all a favour, stop arguing, stop thinking you're woke…

                    • syousef on 20/02/2020 - 21:38
                      -2

                      @pegaxs: OMG grow up. After seeing OMG printed again and again I'm refusing to even read that. What's that? A parody of a bad 90s cheerleader comedy.

                      • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 22:28

                        @syousef:

                        See how silly it is just barking "straw man" every time you hear something you don't like/agree with??

                        I’m guessing by your “grow up” comment, you did see just how stupid it is claiming “straw man” each time you hear something you don’t like or agree with…

                        Thanks for reinforcing what I was trying to say.

              • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2020 - 23:59
                -1

                @syousef:

                It's simple physics. You can call me names, but the laws of nature won't change to suit your Dunning Kruger complex.

                1. Physics actuarial science.

                2. Dunning Kruger complex belief.

                Irony.

                • syousef on 21/02/2020 - 13:10

                  @[Deactivated]: I guess that's why the spedo on your car in standard-deviations, not km/hr.

                  Beliefs don't matter. And irony is spot on, but not for the reason you think.

                  • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2020 - 14:02
                    +1

                    @syousef: 😂 sure.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 21/02/2020 - 08:49

      Happens all the time, 90% speed up when you try to pass

  • Mike88 on 20/02/2020 - 14:18
    +2

    Road users are people. Most people are assholes and as long as it is what they want to do it doesn't matter how it affects others around them.
    It wouldn't be as bad if this was a rarity but it seems like as soon as you pass one you're stuck behind another doing the wrong thing.

  • Kranbone on 20/02/2020 - 15:29
    +3

    There needs to be a better mixture of skill, courtesy and common sense when driving. Poor driving effects all genders, ages and ethnic backgrounds.

    If you're not confident, unfamiliar with an area or you're a bit lost, rather than trying to read directions and street signs, pull over and let the other cars through. They can continue their journey and you won't be stressed having other cars on your bumper.

  • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 15:38
    +2

    It really says a lot that there are 5 choices for the poll and four among them are aggressive driver behaviour and also illegal.

    Over the years I’ve learnt that getting all agitated about a slow driver does nothing except make you stressed which makes your driving worse. The loss of time is insignificant in most instances.

    Let it go. We are surrounded by drivers with poor skills and attitude and losing your temper because them is a waste of energy.

    • TheBird on 21/02/2020 - 17:57

      Letting it go isn't the right answer.

      We have laws which are supposed to prevent slow driving from happening as it can become a catalyst for others react (sometimes overreact), sometimes in a dangerous manner which can get your loved ones killed.

      You can be the victim in a chain of bad decisions even when you've done the right thing.

      I agree with you though, losing your temper on them is a waste of energy. Letting it go, not so much.

      • Euphemistic on 22/02/2020 - 10:00
        +2

        On an individual case level letting it go is the right answer.

        However, I do agree that we shouldn’t ‘stand idly by’ as a concept. Encouraging efficiency on the roads is about ensuring that the majority drive according to the majority rule. So those that are disruptively slow or dangerously fast should not be educated that it’s not appropriate (usually by fines).

  • rehevoli on 20/02/2020 - 16:12
    +1

    Pretty much sums up Princes Hwy/Dandenong Rd in East VIC or Ballarat Rd in West VIC, you get people doing 20-30km/h under the speed limit for absolutely no reason

    Edit - had to also add Springvale Rd between High Street/Ferntree Gully Rd

    • Baysew on 20/02/2020 - 16:18

      Which bits of those roads are -

      single lane road with double solid line

      • rehevoli on 20/02/2020 - 16:43

        Is it just me or people generally slow these days and don't care about traffic behind them?

    • Ghost47 on 21/02/2020 - 11:38
      +1

      Those roads are at least 3 lanes wide.

      You should drive on Sydney roads, the combination of shitty, illogical, badly maintained roads and slow drivers who you can't overtake because of said roads is infuriating, much more so than slow drivers on a multi lane road where you can legally overtake them.

    • CMI on 22/02/2020 - 08:47

      had to also add Springvale Rd between High Street/Ferntree Gully Rd

      Don’t even get me started.

  • Levathian on 20/02/2020 - 16:19
    +3

    I have this road near me that is quite long and used to go through acreages but it has recently become built up in parts with new developments. It has a speed limit of 70km/h and as far as I can see this limit still applies and the signs show as such. But like 50% of drivers, mostly people leaving the new estate, treat it as a 50km/h zone and crawl along, when there's no houses on it and hardly any intersections. It's infuriating.

    Unrelated but another road near me has a limit of 60km/h with some hills etc. but you can comfortably drive at 70-75km/h on it without putting anyone at risk because it has seldom houses and is long and straight (with a few conjoining roads). I've had quite a few instances of people coming off other roads pulling out infront of me when I'm happily cruising along, enough that I'd have to quickly slow down to avoid hitting them, then they sit there and crawl at 55-60km/h (and this road goes for several kilometres). 1. Why do so many people think its safe to pull out in front of someone without looking and 2. why can't these people wait 10s for me to be out of their way so they can dawdle without annoying anybody??

    Both situations make me really tempted to tailgate the f**k out of some people sometimes.

  • anglais on 20/02/2020 - 16:25
    +4

    If this is taking up your brainpower then you might want to consider meditation. There are bigger problems in the world.

  • superdarkhumour on 20/02/2020 - 17:58

    OP is complaining coz they don't know how to overtake on double lines.

    Choice is stay behind and play it safe, or take the risk and you may never see your kids again.

    You decide!

  • THL on 20/02/2020 - 18:45
    +2

    Hey OP, I used to be annoyed with this. Always wanting to do the speed limit and seeing drivers who are distracted or dunno where to go that pissed me off. I’ll honk them and overtake then when it’s legal to do so. But a few times I realised it was just an old grandpa or grandma that just drive a bit slow and being cautious. I felt bad about honking them.

    Just want to note that the road is for all the public. Young, old, people with disabilities, people in a rush, idiots who are always speeding, drunk drivers…etc. You get the idea. Next time you are in the situation, maybe think about who might be behind the wheel and be a tad more patient :)

    • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 19:20

      "Let he who is without sin, be the one to cast the first stone…"

  • Windows98 on 20/02/2020 - 19:49
    +2

    People have it stuck in their heads that the slower they drive, the safer they will be. So they drive slow and are oblivious to the world around them.

  • bhm133 on 20/02/2020 - 20:24
    +1

    Don’t forget the people who swing out to the left to turn right (and vice versa).

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2020 - 20:30
    +3

    Meh. I'm a pretty chilled driver. Where's the "none of the above" option?

  • Ash-Say on 20/02/2020 - 20:44
    +2

    Just had another encounter on way back home. This was on main road with 2 lanes and this idiot in Commodore was doing 40k in 80k zone lol

    • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 21:23
      +1

      The less you are bothered by these seemingly slow drivers, the less you will notice it. Then it becomes a non issue.

      Seems you are copping an above average number of slow drivers. Where are you? Maybe your Speedo needs recalibration.

      I’ve been driving for decades and could probably count on fingers the number of times I’ve had a driver drive that slow in front of me, even less for any unreasonable distance. It’s either that or I don’t remember them because they are a NON-EVENT.

      • asafasr on 20/02/2020 - 21:30
        +6

        if you don't notice the slow drivers, have you thought maybe you are one of them?

        • Euphemistic on 20/02/2020 - 21:34
          +1

          I keep up with traffic just fine and often use gps to check my speed so typically the speedo is indicating over the limit.

          • asafasr on 20/02/2020 - 21:37

            @Euphemistic: the average speed in VIC has been going down YOY

            • pegaxs on 20/02/2020 - 22:32
              +3

              @asafasr: And that would have nothing to do with the increase in population or the amount of vehicles on the roads? Nope, it’s all because of some random drivers going under the speed limit… :/

  • dufflover on 20/02/2020 - 21:19
    +1

    Where's the MS Paint diagram of this single lane road with double-lines and slow car?

    • The Value on 20/02/2020 - 21:38
      +1

      OP tried but could only draw the slow car as stationary.

  • iDroid on 20/02/2020 - 21:22

    You missed an option:

    • Blow the horn, Use high beam and Tailgate them!
    • Skramit on 21/02/2020 - 08:51

      and:

      Blow the horn, Use high beam, Tailgate them and shake your fist angrily out the window.

  • groot on 20/02/2020 - 21:32
    +2

    Blowing horn .. such an idotic thing to do ..

    • The Value on 20/02/2020 - 21:36
      +1

      Don't blow the horn. Just do a light double tap - "Hey buddy, you okay?"

      • groot on 20/02/2020 - 22:38

        Absoutely .. People nowadays think honking as an achievement. Honking will make them smarter .. haha

  • dcash on 20/02/2020 - 21:54
    -1

    Maybe this is a Sydney thing, but I find that I can be doing 50km/h in a 50km/h zone and still have people honking, flashing headlights, tailgating, yelling obscenities, and overtaking on the wrong side of the road. Any one of the first four items, and I'll drop my speed by 10 to 20 km/h. If the try the last item, I'll plant my foot and ensure there's no way in hell they'll get in front of me.

    • happirt on 20/02/2020 - 22:47
      -1

      I'll plant my foot

      what car?

      • dcash on 21/02/2020 - 14:30
        -1

        It's not so much about what car you have, but about anticipating what they are about to do. If you have your foot down before they realise that you're not about to let them overtake, then both cars are going to be doing 120 km/h before there's even a chance they'll be in front of you. By which time they've probably either run out of road or had a head-on collision with a car coming in the opposite direction. Having said that, if THEY were driving a Bugatti Chiron, I'd probably let them have it…

        • TheBird on 21/02/2020 - 18:02

          So dangerous.

          I hope Karma doesn't come and find you, even though you deserve it.

          • dcash on 21/02/2020 - 18:52
            -1

            @TheBird: Lol. In that case, please allow me to return the compliment in kind. I don't wish upon you and your family the most untimely of demises, even though you deserve it.

    • bigbadboogieman on 20/02/2020 - 23:04

      I have experienced what you're saying but doing what you're claiming to do is equivalent to putting fuel on fire. It's better to just ignore these idiots.

      There are only 2 kinds of people on Sydney Roads:

      1) Those who get frustrated (and do stupid things)
      2) Those who cause others frustration because they drive patiently within the speed limit.

      • dcash on 21/02/2020 - 08:25

        It would be better to ignore them, but it's not as much fun :P

    • Ghost47 on 21/02/2020 - 11:50
      +2

      I found that in general Sydney drivers are much more aggressive compared to Melbourne. I boil it down to these factors:

      • Roads here are horribly designed, and badly maintained. People have no direct way to get anywhere (unless they want to pay a toll).
      • Speeding drivers are not punished, I'd say they are incentivised to speed due to the absolutely idiotic laws in this state. People memorise the location of fixed speed cameras and slow down around them. Mobile speed cameras are marked, and also signposted approx 200m up the road to warn speeding drivers to slow down, although this is going to change which I have heard people are not happy about (lol).
      • Impatience (probably due to badly designed roads, the amount of cars on the road and how hustle and bustle this place is), I see way more people cut into queues that are 200m long here than in Melbourne.
      • dcash on 21/02/2020 - 14:23
        +2

        Yeah, I think it's mostly the latter. People in Sydney are in far too much of a hurry to get to the next red traffic light. One thing that amuses me when I drive into the city (about 40km for me) is that often I can note a particular car that is weaving in and out of traffic, cutting into queues, speeding, driving straight at right-turn-only lanes etc, and yet by the time I get to the Anzac Bridge they are a car length or two behind me. In the entire 40km I haven't changed lanes once and they get there no quicker than I did. It says it all, really.

  • bigbadboogieman on 20/02/2020 - 22:55
    +1

    A one hour journey continuously driving 70 KM/H in an 80KM/H zone will only delay you by roughly 8.5 to 8.6 minutes. I think we need to re-learn the importance of patience in general and especially on roads. Everyone, be it young, old, new, learner, lost, cyclist, etc. has an equal right to the roads. It's better to reach your destination late than not reaching at all. Everyday I notice stupid people zipping in and out of lanes at 65/70 KM/H on a 60 KM/H zone only to floor the brakes at the next set of lights and, to be honest, I feel sorry for all of us.

    The other technical reason for someone going slow could also be due to higher speedometer readings. I know for a fact some older Nissan cars shows 110 when you're only actually going 103. I have tested this myself using the indicative speed cameras that's display your speed when entering VIC from NSW through Hume highway as well as tested through a GPS based speed tracker.

    • Levathian on 21/02/2020 - 13:36
      +1

      A 9 minute delay every hour is a huge inconvenience to most people. Yay my 60 minute journey just took 69mins and I'm now late to my appointment.

      • dcash on 21/02/2020 - 14:33

        But in Sydney it's more like people only allow 40 minutes for a 60 minute journey, so they end up driving like idiots and well above the speed limit to try to make up time and get to their appointment. Leaving 20 minutes earlier never occurred to them, apparently.

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