Ben. Canterbury
Yesterday, I decided to drive keeping rigidly to the speed limits wherever I was. Result? Total shambles! I was tailgated, hooted, given V signs, flashed, and shouted at. Does no-one give a damn any longer? It would seem that anarchy is on the roads now. Must admit I enjoyed travelling at a slower speed though! Arrived at each place feeling calmer despite the outside aggro!
Tue Nov 1 09:45:01 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
Kris - Its not about going over 70mph at all. That, clearly, is against the law and those caught doing so will be dealt with. However, it is incumbent on all motorists to at least be able to "make adequate progress" and Learner Drivers are tested on this facet of their driving through the L test. Adequate progress is seen to be keeping with the flow of the ambient traffic. If, however, you are unable or unwilling to make adequate progress your vehicle then begins to become a hazard to other motorists - i.e. it becomes something that they have to deal with (Slow, Swerve or Stop). Thus, if the ambient traffic flow is 70mph on a Dual Carriageway and there is a vehicle travelling at, lets say 50mph, then it becomes a hazard to that traffic flow. As such, it is more dangerous than if it were keeping with the flow. Clearly, there are drivers and vehicles that are significantly unable to attain 70mph. I would question the wisdom of such vehicles/drivers taking such dual carriageways as there are often viable (and much slower) alternatives. Surely, it can be in no one's safety interests to place onseself as such a road traffic hazard.
Thu Oct 27 23:42:33 2005

Kris Saunders
Andy and Dave - agree - go with the flow, but still the MAX speed is 70mph and you will be prosecuted if you exceed it. believe me, I know!!!
Thu Oct 27 11:11:32 2005

Andy Chartham
Kris Kent. I disagree with your comments completly. Because i think it is far more dangerous to cause lorrys to slow down and change lanes. Especially in kent where we have many Left hand drive lorrys on the road who find it more difficult to see if anyone is next them.
Thu Oct 27 08:12:19 2005

Dave, Biggin Hill
Kris. Kent, Is 12mph ok? After all, that is included in "any speed upto 70 mph". Do you not think that keeping up with the flow of the traffic is considered safe driving?
Thu Oct 27 07:47:04 2005

Ben. Canterbury
just got back from driving through 5 countries in Europe. Guess where the most aggressive driving is? - Kent - without a doubt! As soon as you exit the ferry at Dover, you are met with aggression, rudeness and inconsiderate driving. I did not find this in Belgium, france, Germany or Switzerland. Courtesy was evident in all countries I drove in. Wish we could have a national 'politeness on the roads' day .
Wed Oct 26 20:03:15 2005

Kris. Kent
I find it incredible that anyone can believe you MUST drive at 70mph on a motorway! The MAXIMUM speed is 70mph - you can drive at ANY SPEED YOU WISH, AS LONG AS IT IS SLOWER THAN 70MPH. Some of you so called 'drivers' should read the hiway code!
Wed Oct 26 15:13:10 2005

Tim, Chatham
We should adopt the US practice of overtaking being allowed in all lanes. It could make some people slow down a bit. I often pass on the nearside lane but ensure it is safe to do so and the remain in that lane. I would like to see Video cars that could catch people using mobile phones including lorry drivers.
Tue Oct 25 14:28:28 2005

Steve, Tunbridge Wells
Drivers should in general drive according to road conditions and speed limits. Take this morning for instance in Kent - doing 50mph on the motorway in pooring rain may be a safe enough speed. If Ken from Cliffsend drives at 50mph on the motorway all the time, even when dry and clear then he clearly shouldn't be on the road! I had a taxi driver take me home from London the other night and I felt like telling him to get out and let me drive. He was constantly correcting his road position, didn't know the width of the car, went through a red light (he "didn't see it"!) and didn't go over 55mph on the motorway (2.30 in the morning). I don't claim to be an expert driver but this taxi driver drives for a living and he can barely do that!!
Tue Oct 25 13:02:51 2005

Dave, Biggin Hill
Ken, Cliffsend. If you can' drive at 70 mph on the motorway and are being overtaken by HGV's then you really should not be on the road.
Mon Oct 24 15:44:21 2005

AJ, Tunbridge Wells
Eve, Chilham, I have been reading your comments with much amusement. Why are you so scathing about every driver out there except for yourself?? I agree that there are bad/fast/aggressive and every other sort of driver out there (me included sometimes), but these people will drive how they want and when they want, there is little anyone can do about them. I can't see that you are that perfect and quite frankly if other peoples actions on the road bothers you that much, get a train or walk!!
Mon Oct 24 14:11:39 2005

john, sevenoaks
Ken cliffsend. Get the Train!!
Mon Oct 24 13:03:06 2005

ken cliffsend
i do a round trip of approximately 130 miles each day i go to my place of employment,i try to drive between 50 to 60 mph mostly in the slow lane but i usualy get cars,vans,trucks & very large heavy goods vehicles very very close to the rear of my vehicle and i honestly think that they are expecting me to go faster so that they do not have have to slow down or to to save them the trouble of having to turn a steering wheel to allow them to overtake me,so although i have complete sympathy for what you are complaining about think also about the poor motorist who does not want to drive at high speeds and would just like to go to work and not to be suffering from stress when i get there.
Sun Oct 23 20:59:09 2005

Keith Ashford
I think as long as you learn from mistakes you may have made in the past whilst driving, i think makes you a better driver. I made a few mistakes when i was first driving, nothing serious but i made sure i learnt from them. When i was driving on the motorway, i realised i had a blind spot on my drivers side, so i invested in a stick on mirror so i can now see it. Ive seen bad women drivers and bad male drivers, old and young bad drivers, experienced and inexperienced bad drivers. I dont think there are set rules for defining a bad or good driver. Ive only been driving 5 years but id say im better than many drivers who have been driving 20 years plus, but i could also be worst than drivers with only 2 years experience.
Sun Oct 23 18:57:49 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
David Madstone - your boss may just find that when (not if, given his alleged attitude to safety) he has his road traffic accident and gets injured through not wearing a seatbelt that his claim for injuries will be considered against his not wearing such. As a result any financial settlement will reflect that non-wearing of a seat belt also. With regard to a UK No Laws Day - brilliant, it might just remind some of our more liberal bretheren exactly why our laws exist and should be complied with. Perhaps then the discussion about abandoning laws can be ceased. But it is interesting to observe how much better traffic can flow when traffic control mechanisms such as traffic lights are removed or are inoperative. It just goes to show that, largely, us mere mortals do not really need sweeping powers of control to manage the basic tasks such as traffic flow control. And so perhaps the answer is not the polarised views of Libertarian vs Draconian but something much more reasonable and reflective of the average motorist. Not making laws that reflect the behaviour of the lowest common denominator.
Sat Oct 22 11:26:55 2005

Kris. Kent
I think Eve is right. Women get cheaper car insuranse than men because they drive safer.
Sat Oct 22 10:30:57 2005

Alan Rainham
Re Janet Tunbridge Wells,Alas not all women are so good at multitasking, unless you mean trying to drive whilst applying make-up, brushing hair etc, and as for signalling well maybe you would like to demonstrate to some other female drivers that indicating is usually with signal indicators and not waving two fingers or a clenched fist at other drivers.
Fri Oct 21 20:34:11 2005

Jason, Kings Hill
Well said Martin, I have been reading with much amusment for some time now the postings on this page. I have come to the conclusion that Eve just enjoys the attention she gets by annoying people, because anyone else by now surely would have taken back, apoligized for the comments made or said that it was not meant to offend. I also agree with your posting about middle lane hoggers. Whilst im certain that no-one on this page is a perfect driver, middle lane hoggers deserve just as much berating as all the other bad driving habits some people have. I also think that whilst some people make the same mistakes quite often, i bet most of us have been guilty of the things that annoy us at some time or other.
Fri Oct 21 16:03:20 2005

Martin, Tonbridge
And just how do you know that you have cheaper car insurance than me Eve? How do you know that my driving is not consistent, safe, courteous and considerate? I too, am totally aware of what is going on around me on the roads, but I don't feel the need to tell everyone how good I am at it, or make the assumption that nobody else is as good at it as me. Your defense to all questions asked of you is to remind us of how good a driver you are and everyone else how bad they must be in comparison. There's nothing 'glib' about a blindspot if you get squashed by a lorry because you are in his. You probably wonder why you are getting so much stick on this board, but you make gross assumptions, personal, scathing, patronising and offensive remarks. Examples "with such arrogant drivers", "get a life, please!", "idiots such as 'west malling mike' bombing up behind at 100mph". Mike didn't mention speeding in his posting but you have assumed that he speeds, based on nothing more than a short paragraph he wrote about tailgating and probably because of your self-belief that nobody obeys the laws of the road as well as you, especially men. And just what gives you the right to call him an idiot? Most of the digs at you are because you have been raming down everyones throats about how law abiding you are and then you admit to speeding! You seem to be critical of any other road user, you even had a dig at people driving 4x4's just because of the amount of fuel that they use! You not only failed mind reading, but from reading through your posts it is also evident you also failed civility.
Thu Oct 20 23:17:41 2005

Kris. Kent
to Martin, Tonbridge, I think your sentence should read 'difficulty in understanding the ignorance of foreign lorry drivers' - people driving in strange countries should understand the road regulations, AND be more aware of traffic in their blind spot. I am frequently 'moved out on' by these monsters who don't give a damn.
Thu Oct 20 22:40:26 2005

eve, chilham
Thank goodness there are truly NICE people like Chris and Janet on the roads! (I too failed Mind Reading!)
Thu Oct 20 12:00:58 2005

David,Maidstone
The only reason I stated that the government should just forget about the law's for one day is because I was arguing a point that Law's are made for a reason, to safe gard human life, therefore people should respect these law's. Road user's and alike. So being a law abiding citizen I wish to say that all those driver's out there including my boss who never wears a seatbelt, and everyone one else who just does not care about the law's of driving beware, because the crown, magistrates, and all other courts are going to be craking down.
Thu Oct 20 11:57:49 2005

Chris
I cant see why so many people on hear are giveing Eve such a hard time on hear. You might think she's in the wrong about somethings but that dont mean you can have a go at her in ~EVERY~ message. I bet you lot arn't the model drivers you think you are and have broken the law by speeding etc. Its hypocritical of you to have a go if you do this yourself - you cant say you dont (or havent) as no driver is perfect.
Thu Oct 20 09:51:47 2005

Janet - Tunbridge Wells
Women are particularly good at multi-tasking, and can drive and indicate at the same time where it is needed. But surely, gentlemen, even you know that we ladies are not that good at mind-reading. Please men, when turning right or left, it is useful to all of us to indicate first. It is so annoying when sitting at a roundabout waiting for the car on my right to enter the roundabout and pass in front of me only to see HIM disappear to his left. I often feel like shouting that I failed my degree in Mind reading
Wed Oct 19 21:27:48 2005

eve, chilham
Quite obviously all you men out there who glibly talk of 'blind spots' are all perfect drivers! I bow to your blatent superiority, and still glory in the fact that I have cheaper car insurance than any of you due to my consistent safe, courteous and considerate driving! I'm AM totally aware of all that goes on around me - particularly on motorways where it is necessary to constantly check mirrors for idiots such as 'west malling mike' bombing up behind at 100mph and expecting the whole world to move out of his way! (bet he's got more than afew speed tickets!)
Wed Oct 19 18:10:48 2005

Steve Tillman
Eve, Chilham Re your "one particular time" that you did not " normally keep to 70" ( hmmmm!) it seems to me from your description that you may have contributed to your own problems. Presumably the lorry was moving out to overtake a slower vehicle in front -a good skill to develop is one of looking well ahead and anticipating the actions of other drivers and had you thought about this presumably you would not have overtaken at that point. Second point is that in your original posting you said you were driving on a Saturday night when this happened - better to use dips rather than sidelights then, possibly the lorry driver may have stood a better chance of seeing you. Finally if you were tailgated whilst overtaking you may not have observed the driver coming up behind you prior to you pulling out to overtake - I see it happen all the time that drivers appear to be unaware of what is going on around them. Just a few thoughts!
Wed Oct 19 15:21:46 2005

andy, chartham
Theey used to have a "mad Sunday" in the middle of the Isle of Man TT races which resulted in multiple deaths of bikers and ar drivers too - probably not the best idea ! If you do want to go a bit mad in safety try a track day where you can race around in comparative safety - at least everyone else is going the same way ?
Wed Oct 19 11:46:09 2005

Martin, Tonbridge
Eve, have you never heard of blindspots? Your comments show ignorrance of the difficulties that other road users can have, especially if they are a large foreign lorry. I'm surprised at this after your reply to Matt about all of the other vehicles you have experience of. Sidelights on or not, if you are in a lorrys blindspot you are not going to be seen are you? Perhaps instead of crawling past the lorry just a couple of mph faster than him to remain within the speed limit you should have maintained the flow of traffic and passed the lorry at a faster pace - then you wouldn't have placed yourself in such a life threatening position. Why do you insist on comming onto this message board and continually telling us how poor the standard of other road users are (and justifying your own actions) and making unfounded statements about their ability when it is becoming increasingly apparent that your own skills, and perhaps more importantly, attitude are not as good as you would like us to believe.
Wed Oct 19 11:27:24 2005

Dave, Herne Bay
No rules for a day, anarchy I believe would be the word to describe the outcome. I have been driving on the Thanet Way,A2/M2 almost every day for the last twenty seven years. The roads have improved significantly over that time and in my opinion so have the general standards of driving and safety believe it or not.
Wed Oct 19 05:55:39 2005

David, Maidstone
Just been talking to the boss here at work and he states that there are to many dracronian rules, like no parking on double yellows, wearing seatbelts, do not speed etc etc etc,... so I said why does the government for one day just say "do what you want for one day and see what happens". No laws, for one day? What would our country be like for that one day. I suppose you could name that day like you do christmas day or birthday, but I think that day would be named Hell Day!
Tue Oct 18 16:01:57 2005

Mike, West Malling
It seems that those who get tailgated (tailgatees?) think they are the only ones who are annoyed. I assure you that the tailgaters are equally annoyed that tailgatees don't just move to the inside lane promptly after overtaking. What is the big deal in changing lanes as soon as the inside is free???? It's just being considerate, I would have thought.
Tue Oct 18 14:18:36 2005

Kris. Kent
Do the people driving without lights in thick fog have a death-wish? I expect they were wondering why most cars had lights on!
Tue Oct 18 10:16:12 2005

eve, chilham
Neil, the only valid reason for exceeding the speed limit at one particular time recently was that I was halfway past a double trailer (foreign) lorry on a 2 lane stretch of the A2 near Canterbury. The lorry, which was possibly travelling at 65+mph, started moving out while I was still to the right of it - the driver obviously had not seen me, despite the fact that I drive with side lights (Volvo). ANYONE in the same position would accelerate to get out of the potential death scenario, but I was a tad amazed by the fact that I was being tailgated at the same time! If I'd kept to 70, which I normally do, I wouldn't be here typing out this message!
Mon Oct 17 23:44:39 2005

kris. kent
To the unknown driver who decided to turn right in front of me from Chartham Hatch towards Ashford - have you any idea of the speed of approaching traffic, or any concept of how long it will take you to join the traffic speed from standstill? Luckily my brakes worked well, and I reacted quickly - it was by a miracle I didn't hit you. Are you old enough to be driving?
Mon Oct 17 15:00:50 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, Chilham. So you have now decided that I am an "arrogant driver" ( I'm not wholly certain how you came to that conclusion, never having seen me drive,so I hope that your judgement when on the road is better than your reasoning ability as displayed in this message board). There are many drivers, and I am one, who do not feel sufficiemtly insecure about themselves to have the need to boast about their supposed driving skills or history. I feel no compunction to attempt to justify myself in the way you do. And yes, I do have a question - when are you going to stop ignoring the subject of your double standards and tell us why it is OK for you to speed but not other drivers?
Mon Oct 17 09:49:44 2005

Neil Lewisham
Just one Eve. I think most people would like clarification of your overtaking at 80 mph comment. I have no real arguement with much of what you say. I think there are bad drivers be they old/young/experienced or inexperienced and good drivers in the same groups. There is far more traffic on the road as opposed to the days when you and I were first starting out behind the wheel and that may explain some of the things that happen these days I have been driving for 35 years and have a clean driving licence. I would openly admit to driving beyond the speed limit at certain times particularly on motorways. Having read this forum for a while now you do appear to make a point about sticking to the rules of the road (and good for you for that) which is why I am surprised (and would be interested in an explanation) that you have stated that you broke the speed limit by 10 mph while overtaking. I am sure there was good reason but be nice to hear what it is
Fri Oct 14 14:18:33 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve,Chilham. Working now on the basis that the best form of defence is attack are you? How anyone could possibly make any direct association with my style of driving from the postings I have made is bemusing, to say the least. Actually I can see how YOU could. I am not a sufficiently insecure person to feel the need to justify/glorify my driving skills in the way that you try to do and I do not necessarily think that the number of years of driving history is a good measure either - some drivers just do not develop in their driving lifetime. And nor do I think that one's age guarantees better driving skills - indeed, some people as they approach, say, sixty become quite defensive about their driving ability and quite befuddled in their thinking ability - don't they? This is obviously very worrying for other road users.
Fri Oct 14 13:14:50 2005

eve, chilham
with such arrogant drivers as Matt and Steve out there, I'm not at all surprised that there is no longer courtesy on the roads! I wonder how long they have each been driving - neither has dared to say! I had a PSV license for 12 years, transporting children to day centres and swimming pools on a weekly basis. I also had a 250cc motorbike for some 5 years while living in London as it was quicker to get to work. Any other questions?!
Thu Oct 13 10:17:59 2005

Matt, Canterbury
So Eve, as suspected you have no greater driving experience than most. Do you have a PSV (now a PCV) license or not? I'm sure you'd have been the first to point it out if you did! For your future reference you only need a PCV license if carrying 9 or more passengers for hire or reward. Having once or twice driven a minibus doesn't make you a coach driver! I also suspect that by a "small motorbike" you actually mena a moped, as again, if you did have a motorcycle license I'm sure you'd have told us. So I stand by my comment that you have no relevant experience of driving the vehicles, other than a car, which you berate so much. Your stance on other road users would appear to be that everyone should drive as you say but not as you do! You pass judgement and criticise other road users even though your own experience of road usage is (although you try to dress it up differently) on the whole limited to driving a car. Having a clean licence most certianly doesn't mean that you are the perfect driver that you would have us all believe that you are. No doubt you are the type of driver who revels in having drivers to sit in que's behind you because you feel some kind of misguided duty to enforce the laws of the road by yourself. Perhaps it is time for you to "get a life".
Wed Oct 12 20:30:31 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, Chilham. There you go again - being presumptive and condescending towards me and blind to your own shortcomings as a driver. The point I have been making - and you have been ignoring - in the last few postings is that you criticise amongst other things drivers who speed. You defend your own speeding habits by quoting "flow of traffic", "defensive driving", "getting out of trouble" etc etc. So it's ok for you to exceed the speed limits and in doing so, break the law, but when others do the same you complain like crazy and tell us all what lunatics there are on the road. I can only conclude from this that your blindspot extends to more than just the physical limitations of the car.
Wed Oct 12 19:58:20 2005

eve, chilham
Actually Steve, I'm one of the slowest drivers on the road at70mph. The majority on motorways drive at way past that speed, frequently tailgating, and in such a hurry - I'm not among them. I assume when you drive on the M25 that you poodle along at 69mph? I drive it often, and I assure you that the traffic flow is generally 75mph plus. (Including the police patrol cars. The traffic around Folkestone does not compare!
Wed Oct 12 09:51:16 2005

Chris
Fantom mirror smashers. You know who you are! Dont you feel ashamed? I was struck by one only 10 mins after parking up. Do they stop? NO. I'd feed guilty if a took of someones pride and joys mirror and even put a small scratch on it.
Wed Oct 12 08:24:32 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, Chilham; I am not defending bad drivers and am not sure why you would think that I am. That your license is clean appears to be more about not having been caught when you are speeding along the A2 than your ability to drive well and within the law. I am also not sure why I should "get a life" - surely it's not because I have the temerity to make just and valid criticism of your driving skills?
Tue Oct 11 20:51:23 2005

eve, chilham
Steve, Why do you carry on defending these bad drivers? The majority of drivers on Kent roads are fine and abide by the rules, but I (and you, I guess) are quite rightly annoyed by rule breakers and bad driving. There's nothing wrong in being proud of the fact that I've NEVER had a fine or license endorsement in almost 40 years - I STILL have the original CLEAN license which I started with - there cannot be too many of us around (plus I drive as part of my job, so I'm on the road a lot) get a life, please!
Tue Oct 11 13:30:06 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, Chilham. Rude comments do get posted - you make them all then time about BMW drivers,middle aged men, motor cyclists, women parking cars, lorries, coaches, tailgaters, speeding motoristes etc etc. On that last point, how can you say that you obey the rules of the road when you previously admitted to considerably exceeding the speed limit on the A2?
Mon Oct 10 21:10:51 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
David, Maidstone; I can see where you are coming from but ... where does all of this eventually stop? We really do not have to resort to rampant and forcible restrictions in every aspect of our lives. What we simply have to do is (re)learn to accept the notion of responsibility and accountability. Meaningful punitive action taken against offenders will help mend the ways of those who will not comply. These have to recognise the full weight of loss and damage to property and people rather than the pathetic mish mash of confusing and contradictory sentencing meted out by the current judiciary. I still see no rationale in opressing the law-abiding masses to control the relative few. There have been no convincing arguments in favour of such action.
Mon Oct 10 20:17:32 2005

David, Maidstone
Why is it then that there are all these saftey equipment and saftey gadgets on machinery, eg work bench drills with guards around the front so that you do not put your fingers into the machine when it is working. Also train gates that stop people going over the railway crossing when a train is coming? So why not then put speed limiters on cars. this will stop speed camera's raking in money.the police can then catch proper criminals, and we will have nothing to moan about on here!
Mon Oct 10 14:35:20 2005

Chris
Danny T, Gravesend - What a grate idea. Dont think it'd ever work hear mind. My bro is a coatch driver and was on his way back from a tip, on his way through Germany. He was pulled over for doing just over the speed limit. He got a on the spot fine, which worked out to be around £150. If they couldnt come up with the money- confiscation of the coatch and there'd have to find another way home. Then thered have to pay for release and the fine
Mon Oct 10 10:33:34 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
Further to my last - here's an anecdote which may be of interest. A friend of mine went to Assen this year on his motorcycle with some chums. While there, at their hotel, a taxi pulled up and two leather clad chaps got out and took their motorcycle luggage out of the taxi's boot. When asked why they had come to Assen fully togged up in leathers and bike kit - but with no obvious motorcycles to be seen - they were told the following. These two lads had been caught by the Dutch traffic police travelling in excess of 176mph on the Dutch roads. They had been caught and immediately arrested (as you would expect). What happened next is that there was an instant prosecution, they were handed back the keys to their motorcycles and given a while to strip the bikes of luggage and any personal items. They were informed that the bikes were to be sent away immediately to be crushed and scrapped with no right of appeal. The same thing, apparently, happens to cars and any other vehicles caught travelling above a certain speed - instant confiscation and destruction. The word soon spread among the other Brit motorcyclists in the immediate area. It rather rams home the point of zero tolerance without any of our normal rhetoric!
Sun Oct 9 21:26:34 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
My last to Matt should have been (of course) to David, Maidstone. Sorry for any confusion.
Sat Oct 8 23:26:23 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
Matt - I understand your points from an emotive angle, killing people is not funny or clever. However, I am not convinced that we should lightly, if at all, take on board ever-increasingly Draconian measures for the masses to curb the activities of the minorities. This continual over-compensation is sapping the quality of life of this country. It is also very subtly removing any notion of responsibility and accountability of the individual. Driving any vehicle on the roads is a resonsibility that all drivers should take very seriously indeed. As you rightly observe, the consequences otherwise are utterly dreadful. The penalties for those that will not or cannot abide by very simple rules for Driving should have not only their privilege but the vehicles taken away. Thus removing the problem from the roads - albeit retrospectively to a RTA. However, the example once established will affect only the minority (who continue to be a problem in any event) leaving the law-abiding majority to enjoy a quality of life experience on the roads. It can be largely safe on the roads. But it must be a conscious choice made by the Drivers of all vehicles.
Sat Oct 8 17:59:20 2005

eve, chilham
Matt, you will discover that rude comments don't get posted! Actually, I have driven for almost 40 years, the Advanced test is not to be taken lightly, I have also driven a PSV (15 passengers) and I used to ride a small motor bike. In my experience (and it's reasonable, you must agree, I drive 15000 miles annually) I note that the standards of driving have not improved, that road etiquette is virtually non-existent, and everyone is in such a rush - I wonder why? As I previously stated, you can only die once. I drive so as not to annoy people, and obey the rules of the road - what's your problem with that?!
Fri Oct 7 13:49:41 2005

Matt, Canterbury
Steve, good observation about Eve and her always model example of how to drive. I've asked a number of times now, exactly which qualifications Eve has to make her judgements of others, especially when I doubt she has experience of driving lorries, coaches or motorcycles. She seems keen to point out (in a number of previous postings) that she has passed the Advance Driving Test and all her expertise and knowledge appears to hinge on this fact. Unfortunately my comments don't seem to get posted, or answered!
Fri Oct 7 10:01:48 2005

David, Maidstone.
To Danny and Eve, thanks for your comments. But due to these people who drive over the speed limits we need draconion rules because people do not know how to control these I am afraid to say killing machines. Sorry but when you get hit by any foreign object it hurts to a degree, but a solid metel object like a vehicle is going to kill. Humans do not regard the rules laid down by law as most humans have an attitude it will not happen to me syndrome.
Fri Oct 7 08:04:47 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
Re Speed Limiters on Cars. A good question indeed. But my only reservation is that of how much more Draconian measures do we actually want enforced upon us. For sure, speed limiting cars would be a trivial thing to do. Any legislation could be made retrospective too, and the limiters fitted at MOT time. But would we accept such a measure? Or would it be a step too far? I suspect that successive governments have thought the latter. I am, however, very impressed with a recently available device (I cant recall its name at the mo) that gives voice guidance as to the prevailing speed limit. As the car approaches a new speed limit change a voice announcement is made - giving the driver the opportunity to comply. Now, for my part, I would prefer such a device to be compulsory (and retrospective) and for the penalties for speeding, and accidents caused by same, to then be raised significantly. In this way, the ultimate decision remains with the driver, but the driver is also aided to compliance. Far preferable to speed limiters in my opinion.
Wed Oct 5 21:21:24 2005

eve, chilham
David - you really believe that lorries and coaches have speed limiters? How do coaches thunder past at 80 in the outside lane?
Wed Oct 5 21:11:07 2005

David, Maidstone
Having seen these comment's about driving at the correct speed. This begs the question, why are there no speed limiter's on cars'. They have them on lorrys' and coaches but not cars'. What are peoples' views' on this.
Wed Oct 5 16:11:16 2005

eve, chilham
As a general point, I feel that everyone should retake the driving test every 10 years, and certainly at the age of 70. It seems that when you are 70, all you have to do is to declare that you are in good health, and bingo - you get a renewed licence. What about eye tests, reaction time tests etc? There are some real dodgy old people out there (as seen this morning, doing a constant 40mph on the A28 in the 60 bit, OK in the 40mph section,then getting flashed by the Thanington speed warning as they didn't bother to slow to 30mph! I'm pushing 60 and would be more than happy to retake a test. The Advanced Driving test is an eye opener - I reccommend it to all those who think they drive well.
Wed Oct 5 10:00:58 2005

Chris
Thanx to Steve and Eve for the help. At the end of the day i can only try my best. I dont like to grip but i do think your right Steve. When i've been out for a drive and say i make a error it mostly is the oldr drivers who would make a point of it. What i dont understand is why someone would try over take in a 30-40 limit when your doing the correct speed anyway. Everyone always seam to be in a rush. Why cant people slow down, mayb there worried if they do there see how they put them and others in danger... Thank you again
Wed Oct 5 08:55:29 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
Chris - drive exactly like you have done for your Driving Instructor. Do not change anything that you have been taught. Do not take "helpful" advice from friends and colleagues, listen only to your Driving Instructor's advice. He knows, they don't. Be brave, be confident and deal with each situation as best you can using all that you have learned during your training. You are at the pinnacle of basic driver eduction in comparison to the rank and file drivers out on the road (most of whom seem to have abandoned all that they have learned and resort instead to blind luck). Make good use of it. Best wishes and good luck. Let us know how you get on.
Tue Oct 4 23:55:14 2005

Steve, Paddock Wood
To Chris - The best advice is to remember what you've been taught by your instructor, but try and remain calm. If you've got your test then you're obviously at a decent enough standard to pass so there's no reason why you shouldn't. Good luck! I'm sure you won't do this, but if you do pass just remember this only gives you a licence to drive it doesn't mean that you are now an expert at driving. Try not to throw everything you've been taught straight out of the window as some people do! I know it's almost impossible to manage but I still think re-tests after 5-10 years should take place in the UK. I've done quite a few miles over the weekend and some of the driving I've witnessed has been terrible and most of it from older - might start something off here! - (40+) drivers (lane discipline, tail gating, lack of indication.....)
Tue Oct 4 18:07:00 2005

eve, chilham
Chris, Stick to the rules of the highway code, glance frequently in your mirror, drive confidently. Good luck!
Tue Oct 4 14:07:27 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, I did not say that I have never exceeded the speed limit, but you seem to believe that you are some sort of special gift to the driving community, knowing more than the rest of us and being a paragon of virtue with very little tolerance for those lesser mortals who in your view do not drive in the manner you would prefer. The point I am making is that you most definitely do not drive within the law if you go at 80 mph on the A2 and therefore you are apparently no better a driver than those who you deride in your postings.
Tue Oct 4 14:00:36 2005

A2 Driver
Mmm..."I drive within the law" and yet you were driving at 80mph!! Come on Eve stop contradicting yourself.
Tue Oct 4 13:17:13 2005

Chris
Got my driveing test soon, ant tips to help me pass?
Tue Oct 4 08:56:49 2005

eve, chilham
Steve, have you honestly NEVER exceeded the speed limit to get out of a potentially dangerous situation? I don't believe it! I drive within the law, and always have done.
Mon Oct 3 17:13:22 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Eve, Chilham I also agree with Danny - but I was tought by my driving instructor not to exceed the speed limit so how do you reconcile your comments of support with your tendency to ignore the speed limits?
Sat Oct 1 17:49:06 2005

eve, chilham
Well said Danny! A real man of honour on the road - if only there were more like you on the battlefield we call roads!
Fri Sep 30 19:13:06 2005

Danny T, Gravesend
The answer is simple to anyone who has actually passed the UK Driving Test and has a valid UK Driving Licence. Go back to driving the way you were taught by your Driving Instructor. Then we will have some hope of achieving a courteous and safe roads environment. And to anyone who says that it is not practical to drive like that, what do you think the entire driver training process is based on? It is entirely possible to maintain the driving standard learned prior to the Driving Test. Those that do are an asset on our roads. Those that do not are a horrendous liability.
Fri Sep 30 09:52:14 2005

Steve, Folkestone
Is Eve, Chilham, who was doing 80mph on the A2 on Saturday the same one who in her July posting made one of her usual acerbic generalisations by slagging off, amongst other things " rude moronic drivers who constantly speed " ?
Tue Sep 27 12:10:49 2005

eve, chilham
Richard of Windsor - I used to work in Reading, and I know well the M25/M4 corridor. Drivers in Kent are NOT the same as in that wealthy area, and there are very few 'power girls' in this neck of the woods! (thank goodness!)
Mon Sep 26 16:04:20 2005

Richard, Windsor
Eve, I drive M4/M25 a lot and believe me the amount of "Girl Racers" and "female power suit wearers" in convertible sports cars cutting in and out of traffic in their BMW Z3's MG's and Mazda MX5's. It seems to me that the general trend is that female drivers are just as rude if not more so... especially if they buy a "superior" car.
Mon Sep 26 14:50:01 2005

Jan, Wingham
Eve, I also have no idea why people drive the way they do. Last Wednesday, I was actually on foot walking my dogs down the lane where I live. I heard it before I saw it - tires screeching, radio blaring. He rounded the blind bend at speed, saw me, drove up the bank to miss me, and then gave me a w...??er sign! Young and with everything to live for - unfortunately he will not get to live that long and its very, very sad. He will either kill himself and several others, or someone will kill him for his arrogance.
Mon Sep 26 12:03:45 2005

eve, chilham
Just experienced the Saturday night drivers again - honestly, it gets worse out there! Why did I 1. follow a car for almost 2 miles on the A28 with rear fogs glaring (no hope of overtaking whatsoever) 2. get cut up on roundabout by a 50+ something driving a BMW 3. almost saw a mad motorbiker smash into a 'double' lorry 4. get tailgated when I was overtaking at 80mph on the A2 towards Dover (speed limit is 70mph after all) 5. saw a young woman trying to park in a huge parking space - she failed, so I used it! 6. why is the world in such a hurry on a Sat night? You can only die once.
Sun Sep 25 10:53:56 2005

Jason, Kings Hill
Has anyone else been cought by the mobile speed trap van on the A228 west malling by-pass. The 30mph tempory limit seems very slow for the type of road it is (60mph limit rd normally, very long fairly wide and fairly straight). Anyway my point is this, the tempory speed limit is obviously there to protect the workers. So what justifcation can there be for catching people at 6am when there are no worker around to protect and the road is quite clear. It seems like the best time to earn the maxium amount of money. By the way i was doing 43mph.
Sat Sep 24 11:39:21 2005

Holy ghost.World
The more I walk about around the town the more I see. These people who drive with mobile to their ear's and one hand on their steering wheel.What is the use of all these law's and do not think about saying rule's are for breaking.It is woman and Men who are seen on these mobiles talking.So in my opinion these insurance companys are lying about woman are safer driver's. It' all these woman who think they can do or be better than Men that seem not to give a dam about anything. This sad old world we live in where no one gives a dam. I am better than you attitude. Untill an unfortunate natural disaster occur's then people semm to change and want to help each other. Change for the bvetter now before it is to late.
Mon Sep 19 16:41:51 2005

Matt, canterbury
Well done to Alan & Eve for using less fuel than some other road users (I didn't realise that the fuel efficency of your vehicle was a measure of your driving ability!). Perhaps you could both go one step further and give up driving altogether, then those of us fed up with your self-rightous attitude toward other road users could be left in peace.
Fri Sep 16 06:49:10 2005

Paul Deal
All that panic fuel buying for nothing Eh! Stay away from the car and walk or use the train.
Thu Sep 15 13:11:07 2005

Alan , Rainham
Re the comments by Paul(Deal), Most of the regular posters here are well aware of the rules regarding the use of lights, it seems to be a small minded, minority group who insist on using them because they paid extra for them, and as for reading/understanding the rules it seems to be beyond the understanding of some of them. Re Eve's comment about the bill for the filling of the 4x4, and the hope that it will curb the use of them for the school run etc, I have noticed over the last few months that more of these fuel guzzlers, are appearing on 2nd hand car sales lots, like Eve I also run a small car, my average fuel bill for the week works out at £8.
Tue Sep 13 11:59:36 2005

eve, chilham
Just back from Germany where the driving is courteous and non-aggressive, and Belgium where it's truly aggressive and horrible - MUCH worse than UK ! Also, while filling up with petrol today, I had to smile at the woman with the 4x4 who was aghast at having to pay £72 for her fuel - mine was a mere £29 as I run a sensible sized car. Maybe with the petrol crisis it will result in fewer 4x4s on the road - one can only hope!
Mon Sep 12 15:25:45 2005

Paul Deal
WHY DO YOU CAR DRIVER@S NOT FOLLOW THE HIGHWAY CODE ANYMORE? ? ? we will all be walking soon or using our push bike's because there will be fuel shortages very very soon PANIC BUYING ! ! ! ! ! as usual do not think of other mean's of travelling around just panic why don't you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mon Sep 12 14:04:53 2005

Paul Deal
94: You MUST NOT use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users. Law RVLR reg 27 As written in Highway code. So all you Fogg light user's Read the HIGHWAY CODE ON ALL LAW'S ! ! ! ! !
Mon Sep 12 14:00:56 2005

Martin - Ashford
Lane discipline on roundabouts? No-one seems to have a clue these days, let alone use their indicators. Approaching a roundabout in the right hand lane as I intended to take the third exit, I had a car in the left hand lane beside me follow round on the left and then cut straight across in front of me to take the 4th exit!! Having thus been obliged to test my brakes, just two days later the same thing happened again. The only difference was that on this occasion they were also going for the third exit and would have side swiped me had I not realised what they were doing and stood on my brakes again. Although not, I believe, a uniformed driver, this one was a Police Car - so what hope is there for us mere mortals. Other pet hates - people who believe that the use of hazard warning lights allows them to stop wherever they like, be it illegal or just downright dangerous. Lorries overtaking on two lane carriageways when going one mile an hour faster!! Tailgaters (enough said!). OK, so I am not a perfect driver and I would stay well clear of anyone who thought they were, but things just seem to get worse. Think I will buy a Tank - then I really can drive defensively.
Sun Sep 11 20:14:25 2005

David, Rochester
The roads will be quiet in a few days - the petrol queues have started already! Just like 2000, all over again...
Wed Sep 7 12:37:11 2005

Steve, Paddock Wood
One thing I've noticed, and this is a dig at pedestrians and not motorists, is that many pedestrians just don't look when they cross the road. Does anyone remember the Green Cross Code from school?! In London there are loads of cyclists on the roads and people are constantly jumping out in front of them because they assume that as they can't hear a car that they're safe to cross. I see it every day. It happens with the kids who play in the streets where I live too. I rode my bike up the gym yesterday and just as I was passing a cul-de-sac some kids shot straight out in front of me. They didn't even look in my direction. People often jump on the motorists when there's an accident with a pedestrian but if all those pedestrians used a bit of common sense when crossing roads there'd be many lives saved. I know recently that a car with an electric motor had to have false engine noise added so it was not a danger to pedestrians!
Tue Sep 6 12:53:27 2005

Debbie, Gillingham
A particular bugbear of mine is people in the wrong lane approaching roundabouts. It happens all the time on the roundabout at Cuxton, coming off the M2. You get a situation where drivers in a hurry undertake lorries in the right hand lane and then cut you up on the roundabout turning right towards Snodland. The laugh is that they usually get held up going through Cuxton and Halling anyway.
Mon Sep 5 19:54:18 2005

Alan, Rainham
Re Barbara, Rainham, yes i do tend to slow down/touch my brake lights if they get too close, and having a bootless car ( one with the back of the rear seats about 15" from the back of the car),I too get rather concerned, and your comment re ' sheriffs ' nice idea but I'll not be holding me breath on that one . Re Andy, Chartham thanks for that tip, tried it earlier and it did the trick :-).
Thu Sep 1 17:26:21 2005

Andy, Chartham
I'm fortunate to receive "advanced" driving lessons thourhg my employer with a former police driving instructor although not as regularly as I would like. However, on one such day he had an excellent tip for dealing with tailgaters which I have found to work really well. Once you have said car trying to get into your boot use your windscreen washers for a few seconds - a good deal of the spray will blow over your roof and land on their windscreen and they almost always drop back instantly. If they don't try it once more, by now all but the tickest morons will have got the message and given your some room !! Try it, it really does work !
Thu Sep 1 14:47:30 2005

Jan, Wingham
Well done Louise, keep driving like that and do not be intimidated by these idiots. Some on the younger and newer drivers could indeed teach the oldies a lesson (I did say some!)
Thu Sep 1 10:05:41 2005

Barbara, Rainham
I love the comments from Alan, Rainham re the tailgaters. However my one concern here Alan is that while it would be great to be able to ignore them, unfortunately having someone sitting up my exhaust pipe at 70 mph scares me, one wrong move and they would be in the car with me and we would probably both be in urgent need of medical assistance! Definitely more police action is needed on this one or, if the police are to busy what about some kind of 'sherriffs' with the authority to issue on the spot fines for this type of dangerous driving?
Thu Sep 1 10:05:38 2005

keith Ashford
I saw another episode of poor driving coming home from work on the m20 coastbound. 4 foreign lorrys driving in the middle lane for over 4 miles causing all the traffic doing more than 60 to go into the fast lane and making traffic tail back. Why do lorry's bother to overtake when they all do the same speed ie 60?
Wed Aug 31 18:43:51 2005

David, Rochester
If anyone tailgates me, I gradually slow down until they get the message. I too look like a complete thug; I just need a nice tattoo across my neck.
Wed Aug 31 15:50:31 2005

Alan, Rainham
Tailgating. Unfortunately a practice increasing or so it seems, and not confined to any particular age/sex of drivers, its perhaps that people tend not to plan journeys better ie they dont leave enough time to get from A2B allowing for any roadworks like those currently screwing up the traffic from Strood/Chatham , to those new and soon to be new drivers, keep to the speed limits and sod the rest of the illiterate morons. I drive a small car commonly associated with the eldery drivers, yet I enjoy seeing the reaction of idiots who overtake dangerously after tailgating me for a while when they see me glaring at them, my face is one that only a mother could love, with shaved head and numerous tattoos, they tend to get quite nervous if I pull up behind them at lights. Maybe more traffic police might help, but only if the courts also pull their weight, and traffic laws are fully applied and penalties increased in line with average earnings, ie £100 fine and 5 points min for driving using handheld mobile or eating etc .
Wed Aug 31 11:32:50 2005

Chris
To louise, chatham this is what i mean, am 21 and just about to take my test but its people like that what put me of driveing. Good for you tho to sticking to the limit x
Tue Aug 30 09:41:11 2005