| pull out from a side
street in front of you when you are not making
maximum progress and there are a number of
vehicles following you. Whilst you may have
chosen not to make maximum progress, they might
not have! Also, you should always consider
whether you are the only obstacle to the other
road user performing their manoeuvre. Even if you
were courteous, would there be other hazards
which would prevent them from performing their
manoeuvre? For example, consider a car waiting to
turn right out from a side street on your near
side. You might be in a position to be courteous
but if there are other cars approaching in the
opposite direction, you being courteous may cause
i) the other road user to assume it is clear and
pull out into the other cars, ii) cause your path
and that of those behind you to be blocked whilst
the other car waits for a gap to complete their
manoeuvre, or iii) it results in one of the
approaching cars being bullied into allowing the
other car to pull out. Hardly the ideal
situation. |
|
Thirdly, bad
courtesy is unexpected courtesy. Unexpected
courtesy would be for you, the last car in a
string of cars, to start slowing down when there
is absolutely nothing behind you. The other road
user will usually be the mind-set of waiting for
you to pass so that they can pull out behind you.
If you start slowing down, you may actually
confuse the other road user. Finally, don't be
disappointed if your courtesy is not accepted. As
mentioned before, we are only one of the road
users which the other road user has to consider.
They may have seen a hazard which is not apparent
to us or they may lack the confidence to accept
your opportunity without an additional signal
from you (they are waiting for you to flash your
headlights!). If this is the case, let the
opportunity to be courteous go and just continue
on your way (keeping your eye on the other car
just in case they change their mind). Do you
really want such a nervous and unconfident driver
in front of you? 
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Advanced
Tip
When following another car up a slip
road leading onto a busy motorway, leave
a good gap from the car in front to help
merging.
|
.
If you come across a flooded
road...
Department of the Environment, Transport
and the Regions |
[Editor: Because of all the rain we've
had lately I thought the following was topical
advice]
- Drive slowly in first gear but keep the
engine speed high by slipping the clutch
- this will stop you from stalling
- Avoid the deepest water which is usually
near the kerb
- Don't attempt to cross if the water seems
too deep
- Remember - test your brakes when you are
through the flood before you drive at
normal speed
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