The lost art of using main beam

[ChawenHalo]

I agree, but I agree more with the comment about the lost art of overtaking. Worse still is the inability of people to leave a gap to the car in front, presumably on the premise that since they can't/won't overtake, you shouldn't either. Other than forcing a gap (not a preferred option) there's not much one can do.

I've always wondered that if I drove, say, a red Ferrari, whether people would let you get on with it a bit more easily.

100% agreed with all the above!

In France they used to be very good at leaving gaps but now that speed limits are heavily enforced they drive too slow and don't leave gaps.

Xenon are just about the only car gadget that really useful.

True enough people don't use full beam and it really annoying when you're behind them, but then they barely understand how to, use signal lights over here... :thumbsdown:

 

[ChawenHalo]

Had a close one the other day overtakng a group of cars and some nit wit (in an Audi I might add) just pulled in front of me to overtake without looking into his side mirror.

Traffic Police do always advise to give a quick flash of your lights before an overtaking manouver to warn other drivers in front; I've this (signal, move slightly out then flash) on smaller roads / lower visibility conditions with lorries and very often I get a response as in they signal in the other direction to indicate that the road ahead is safe for overtaking.

 

[Allattar]

Found an interesting new toy on my Zed, its auto full beams. Never had that before, but were I live there isn't much need for full beams anyway. As a feature it works pretty well.

As to overtaking, yes there are lots of roads round this way where other drivers trundle along without a care in the world, at 10-20 mph below the speed limit. Now I know its not a safety thing becuase those same muppets speed up when they get into a nice safe town area.

Yes they also get very upset when you go past them. When you can, the council made overtaknig on a certain road interesting, with speed cameras at every possible location to overtake.

 

[lacroupade]

In France they used to be very good at leaving gaps

I take it thats another France you're talking about, not France in Europe?

Cos the France in Europe invented the art of 6" tailgating as you will know.......then have the audacity to flash if you dare to cross a solid white line on a two mile straight....

Same number of cars as the UK, but FOUR times the accident rate - says it all! :thumbsdown:

 

[cj_eds]

Traffic Police do always advise to give a quick flash of your lights before an overtaking manouver to warn other drivers in front;

One of the problems in the UK though is that flashing the lights or tooting the horn is no longer assumed to be an innocent gesture like warning them you are there. If you're overtaking a small convoy it's possible someone in there might take a flash as an invitation for them to go. And as for beeping the horn, it now conjures an instant self defence in most drivers because it's largely used (incorrectly) as an admonishment/telling off or an expression of anger at their crap driving.
Anyone's guess whether that self defence is because of arrogance that their perfect driving couldn't possibly be at fault, or whether it's actually some psychological evidence of a guilty conscience...

 

[lacroupade]

I wonder if its illegal to have those alternately flashing headlights like police cars? That would get you by....

 

[ChawenHalo]

Traffic Police do always advise to give a quick flash of your lights before an overtaking manouver to warn other drivers in front;

One of the problems in the UK though is that flashing the lights or tooting the horn is no longer assumed to be an innocent gesture like warning them you are there. If you're overtaking a small convoy it's possible someone in there might take a flash as an invitation for them to go. And as for beeping the horn, it now conjures an instant self defence in most drivers because it's largely used (incorrectly) as an admonishment/telling off or an expression of anger at their crap driving.
Anyone's guess whether that self defence is because of arrogance that their perfect driving couldn't possibly be at fault, or whether it's actually some psychological evidence of a guilty conscience...

Very true. What is it with poeple with attitude behind the wheel!?

This will make you laugh:

As you know I broke up with my German girfriend a few months back (she hated the Z), so anyway, I've been dating this girl (likes the Z) and thought she was pretty cool all in all...UNTIL... I got in her car with her driving! I never did ring her back.

 

[cj_eds]

I wonder if its illegal to have those alternately flashing headlights like police cars? That would get you by....

There's a few doctors on the forum, I guess they could install green flashing lights!


ChawenHalo good move, she'd have tried to get the keys of the z4 off you one day