Overtaking...is it worth it?

[GMcL]

Originally Posted by moorgate

This thread has a life of it's own! Having just done London > Dover > The Hague > Cologne > St Moritz, I partly agree with those who wonder about the benefits of overtaking given the sheer difficulty of raising your average speed much over 50mph on a truly long haul trip. In my case the car moves fast enough (vMax with the Rescue Dog in fine fettle this time was an indicated 130mph), but my bladder fills up faster! Re-passing coaches you saw 20 or 30 minutes before you pulled in for a slash ought to be a lesson for us all.

You've got a big bladder.

If you're doing 130MPH and the coach you passed is doing 80 MPH and you passed it 20 minutes earlier that puts you nearly 17 miles up the road, at the coaches speed that is 12,5 minutes. Take 30 seconds off for slowing down and pulling in and 2 minutes to get back in the car. That is 10 minutes for a pee break for a coach you passed 20 minutes earlier. Given that most of us pass coaches regularly the coach you passed some 2,5 hours ago would have to be going some to keep up with you.

I drive 10-12 hours on a trip. How weak must my bladder be for a coach to keep track with me, given the coach drivers driving restrictions ?

[Stevepvolvo]

Originally Posted by MikeGMT

Ouch. Just picturing the scenario you outlined. Could well be a horse rider, pedestrian, slow moving tractor, elephant thats escaped from the local zoo indeed could be anything round that blind bend. Always 'expect the unexpected' and the *Golden Rule* Always Be Able To Stop On Your Own Side Of The Road In The Distance You Can See To Be Clear.

Excellent point which I fully agree with. I took a defensive driving course and was taught to expect a solid brick wall around any blind bend and to drive accordingly. So just because the speed limit may be 60, defensive driving says to expect the worse around a bend and drive accordingly. The problem generally is that so many drivers drive in a "bubble" without considering other road users or potential dangers and so as was suggested, drivers may wish to overtake to avoid rear end shunts from drivers not considering the road conditions and dangers. I do agree that with the current focus on speed limits (cash generators??) and variable speed limits, one can no longer "drive to the conditions" one has to watch the speedo which does detract from focusing on the road.

[XcOM]

Originally Posted by Stevepvolvo

Excellent point which I fully agree with. I took a defensive driving course and was taught to expect a solid brick wall around any blind bend and to drive accordingly. So just because the speed limit may be 60, defensive driving says to expect the worse around a bend and drive accordingly. The problem generally is that so many drivers drive in a "bubble" without considering other road users or potential dangers and so as was suggested, drivers may wish to overtake to avoid rear end shunts from drivers not considering the road conditions and dangers. I do agree that with the current focus on speed limits (cash generators??) and variable speed limits, one can no longer "drive to the conditions" one has to watch the speedo which does detract from focusing on the road.

Oh I agree with this, I would not drive down the road at 50 could I not do it safely, I am a rare bread of a young (ish) driver who knows both mine and my car's limits, who enjoys speed but isn't a moron when it comes to using it.

But doing 25 on that country lane just isn't acceptable in todays world.

If it is only safe to be doing 25/30 on a road, then that's perfectly acceptable, likewise doing a bit below the norm for the road if your unsure, new or lost, I can live with that, but driving at 25 when the masses around you are doing double that is dangerous.

Yes there could be an escaped elephant, cow, horse, mongoose, Lion, Tiger or even escaped alien doesn't mean you have to do that speed, otherwise we might as well go back to the old ways of having someone walk in front of it to make sure it's safe and it doesn't scare anyone/thing.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia - I know not a legit source

In United Kingdom, the Locomotive Acts (also known as Red Flag Laws) was a policy requiring self-propelled vehicles to be led by a pedestrian waving a red flag or carrying a lantern to warn bystanders of the vehicle's approach.
Firstly, at least three persons shall be employed to drive or conduct such locomotive, and if more than two waggons or carriages he attached thereto, an additional person shall be employed, who shall take charge of such waggons or carriages :Secondly, one of such persons, while any locomotive is in motion, shall precede such locomotive on foot by not less than sixty yards, and shall carry a red flag constantly displayed, and shall warn the riders and drivers of horses of the approach of such locomotives, and shall signal the driver thereof when it shall be necessary to stop, and shall assist horses, and carriages drawn by horses, passing the same,
The Red Flag Law was repealed in 1896, by which time the internal combustion engine was well into its infancy.

[baggy798]

It's not usually worth it, but if a silvertop is driving at ~25mph and consequently causing us to hit every red light then you can be pretty damn sure I'm going to overtake as soon as possible.

[Dibble]

Originally Posted by chindit

Sounds like officer dibble aint happy ...(showing my age now wasnt it top cat officer tibble appered in ?)

He is perfectly happy, Chindit, and enjoying your comments. I am sure they are made with tongue in cheek!

[Dibble]

Originally Posted by 850Chris

Would be good to chat this through with you Dibble. My defensive driver training was by an ex MET police driver so would be interested to know why the conflicting advice.

Will be delighted to, Chris, and wont take anything away from your Met trained instructor. My training was done along the road at SPC, Tulliallan, and although there may be a few variations from force to force we all basically sing from the same song sheet.
Not sure where you are in the County but you can see where I reside.

[tt82]

Originally Posted by GMcL

You've got a big bladder.

If you're doing 130MPH and the coach you passed is doing 80 MPH and you passed it 20 minutes earlier that puts you nearly 17 miles up the road, at the coaches speed that is 12,5 minutes. Take 30 seconds off for slowing down and pulling in and 2 minutes to get back in the car. That is 10 minutes for a pee break for a coach you passed 20 minutes earlier. Given that most of us pass coaches regularly the coach you passed some 2,5 hours ago would have to be going some to keep up with you.

I drive 10-12 hours on a trip. How weak must my bladder be for a coach to keep track with me, given the coach drivers driving restrictions ?

I very much doubt he drove at 130mph for the entire length of the trip. And if he did, fuel stops would be pretty common.

[850Chris]

Originally Posted by Dibble

Will be delighted to, Chris, and wont take anything away from your Met trained instructor. My training was done along the road at SPC, Tulliallan, and although there may be a few variations from force to force we all basically sing from the same song sheet.
Not sure where you are in the County but you can see where I reside.

I'm in sunny Newburgh and quite regularly passing through Cupar. I must make a point of attending the next meet as would be great to put faces to names and meet like minded Volvo enthusiasts.

[Dibble]

Originally Posted by 850Chris

I'm in sunny Newburgh and quite regularly passing through Cupar. I must make a point of attending the next meet as would be great to put faces to names and meet like minded Volvo enthusiasts.

And I am frequently in Newburgh. Shouldn't be too difficult to meet up and have a chat. Next meet is at the Falkirk Wheel at the end of October. You will be most welcome.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by tt82

I very much doubt he drove at 130mph for the entire length of the trip. And if he did, fuel stops would be pretty common.

I think he means 130kph (as suggested as the max speed by the signs at the side if the autobahn), especially as the top speed for the VMax is only just over 130mph anyway.

It isn't easy driving that fast on the autobahn not at 210kph anyway, 150kph is feasible but you really need your wits about you.