Road Etiquette: Did I do Wrong?

Yogihughes

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Travelling South from Bettyhill, I came down the single track roads with passing places and happened to catch up with a VW type Red van with Swiss Reg. Plates.
He wasn't going particularly slow but slower than myself as I had caught up to him quite quickly, the scenario unfolded thus:

A car came along at a fair rate of knots behind me and bearing in mind that it could be someone going to work or whatever, I pulled into the next passing place and signalled for him to overtake me. He did so and then was behind the Red van. This happened another 3 times so in the end there was the Red van, 4 cars (very close together) then me in my coachbuilt. Only when we reached the outskirts of Lairg and the road widened to 2 track did the cars get a chance to overtake the van. I would have thought that as a visitor to the country the van should have pulled in to let others pass. I was in no hurry therefore I did not signal the van any intention to overtake but I would have thought that as I had pulled in 4 times to let others pass that the van might have cottoned on that it was the done thing. I reckoned that the convoy effect lasted for more than 5 miles at least.
 
There are lots of poor drivers out there.


shame really - because it isnt hard to have a bit of road sense is it!

Craig
 
You did everything correctly - the red van should also have let the cars pass. You as well if you were obviously travelling faster than he was.

Frank
 
how on earth could he see them if they were behind him:confused::eek::D
 
That'll be it then, continental vans obviously don't require rear view mirrors!!!. :rolleyes: :eek:
 
My question is: At what speed would be considered reasonable NOT to give way? If I'm doing a steady 50 (my legal limit) on an A or B class single carriageway road is it unreasonable for me to continue without pulling over with only 3 or 4 or even more vehicles behind? That is exactly what HGVs do and some are limited to below 50 without ever pulling over (perhaps not reasonable to expect them to but it still causes the safety issue of people impatiently overtaking with the risks involved). If I want to potter along at 40 then maybe not so reasonable.

Less of an issue of etiquette more of safety. I prefer to pull over for that reason but it is a pain having to pull over every few miles regularly. It's not as if their life depends on them getting there quicker, unless they are in an emergency vehicle. I think some drivers need lessons in patience. Better still lets reduce the national speed limit to 50 :D

Of course that wouldn't work, some cars seem to have their accelerator pedal bolted to the floor in the fully open position. :D
 
Yep, you did the right thing. Thats what the passing places are for, as well as for giving way to oncoming traffic. Have you noticed the signs (on your way around Scotland and Wales where there are lots of narrrow roads) saying to alow faster traffic to overtake? Not just common courtesy but a safety measure.

Surely the van in fron did see the build up of traffic behind him but didnt think to move over. After all, you saw it.
 
Randonneur said:
That'll be it then, continental vans obviously don't require rear view mirrors!!!. :rolleyes: :eek:
Click to expand...
and plenty of british cars don't seem to have operational indicators either :rolleyes:

not to mention some BMWs and white transits that are exempt from the speed limits :D
 
New Rover,
I salute you. It is a rare and remarkable driver that would show such courtesy! I only wish we all could be as thoughtful! Well done!!! Just don't let us 'Redskins' past! We are only after your woman!
Paol. [with apologies to my kin!]
 
LaughingHeart said:
New Rover,
I salute you. It is a rare and remarkable driver that would show such courtesy!
Paol. [with apologies to my kin!]
Click to expand...

No it isn't! it is the majority of drivers who behave in this way on single track roads, its the discourteous ones who are the rare ones

Frank
 
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Many a true word spoken/written in jest Roger.
5 vehicles on that road would constitute a rush hour.
 
Having spent the last 20 years living in Devon and driving along the narrow lanes I have always pulled in to let faster cars pass me.
Keep it up :)
 
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