Speed limit when overtaking? Teach me please.

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#1161277 24-Oct-2014 11:27

Almost without exception slow drivers accelerate to 100 km/h at passing lanes. There are two options: Overtake at the passing lane, which is usually perfectly safe but illegal; or overtake away from passing lanes, where it is considerably less safe but within the law.

The third, and more dangerous option, is to sit behind an 80 km/h traveller and start a queue - then frustration and impatience come into play.

afe66

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#1161278 24-Oct-2014 11:29

Does anyone slow when they are being overtaken or do we keep our speed and expect them to go faster to over take us.

Do we keep our foot on the gas going at 100k forcing the other to drive even faster "To show him"

It would be the safe thing for us to do, but do we do it ?

A.

MikeB4

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#1161279 24-Oct-2014 11:31

afe66: Does anyone slow when they are being overtaken or do we keep our speed and expect them to go faster to over take us.

Do we keep our foot on the gas going at 100k forcing the other to drive even faster "To show him"

It would be the safe thing for us to do, but do we do it ?

A.

I do especially when towing the boat but often otherwise if it helps a safer overtake for all concerned.

xpd

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#1161287 24-Oct-2014 11:37

afe66: Does anyone slow when they are being overtaken or do we keep our speed and expect them to go faster to over take us.

Do we keep our foot on the gas going at 100k forcing the other to drive even faster "To show him"

It would be the safe thing for us to do, but do we do it ?

A.

If Ive seen them coming, then yes, Ill tend to back off by about 10k, but if theyve been "pushy" then Ill stick to whatever speed I'm doing - I wont speed up though.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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zespri

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#1161296 24-Oct-2014 11:54

mclean: Almost without exception slow drivers accelerate to 100 km/h at passing lanes.

This is because passing lanes are usually on safer and "straighter" parts of the road. So you accelerate not to piss off those overtaking but simply because you want to get to B faster, and on the straight stretch you can.

DravidDavid

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#1161303 24-Oct-2014 12:04

You can tell when you have a twitchy driver behind you that wants to pass at the next acceptable moment he gets. I often indicate left for a few seconds to communicate that I fully expect he/she is going to pass me and that I am deliberately slowing down now so you can pass at a safe time now, rather than dangerously later.

The problem with this is...You get a bunch of other optimists that take advantage and pass within 30 meters of the end of the passing lane and end up on the other side of the road just to get by sometimes.

I don't know if anyone knows the passing lane on SH1 traveling north past Sheep World just after Warkworth. It's the worst for this. Gutless cars can't get up the hill...Bigger cars take the opportunity, but the lane is quite short and windy. Other drivers love cornering wide at the top of the hill which has made for many blind head-on close calls. Then of course, they meet the logging truck at the top of the hill and everyone is queued again anyway with nobody any better off.

sidefx

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#1161304 24-Oct-2014 12:05

zespri:
This is because passing lanes are usually on safer and "straighter" parts of the road. So you accelerate not to piss off those overtaking but simply because you want to get to B faster, and on the straight stretch you can.

Literally saving yourself seconds in travel time. :P

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zespri

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#1161308 24-Oct-2014 12:13

sidefx:
zespri:
This is because passing lanes are usually on safer and "straighter" parts of the road. So you accelerate not to piss off those overtaking but simply because you want to get to B faster, and on the straight stretch you can.

Literally saving yourself seconds in travel time. :P

Well, that's how human psychology works. Try stopping 30 meters away behind the the next car in front of you in highly congested traffic when that car stops. More often than not people behind you will blow their horn. This is completely nonsensical with the average speed the flow is moving, because the limiting factor here is not you, but all that hundred cars in front of you and you can close the 30 meters gap in a few seconds. But they will still buzz. Indeed, who knows, may be you fell asleep and need waking up?

lxsw20

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#1161309 24-Oct-2014 12:14

zespri:
mclean: Almost without exception slow drivers accelerate to 100 km/h at passing lanes.

This is because passing lanes are usually on safer and "straighter" parts of the road. So you accelerate not to piss off those overtaking but simply because you want to get to B faster, and on the straight stretch you can.

Which really shows how people just go onto automatic when driving and pay little attention to their speed, how much they are frustrating the people around them etc.

Personally I try stick to under 120 when passing in this situation. Which was rather hard in the MPS that just wanted to keep going...

DravidDavid

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#1161311 24-Oct-2014 12:15

zespri:
mclean: Almost without exception slow drivers accelerate to 100 km/h at passing lanes.

This is because passing lanes are usually on safer and "straighter" parts of the road. So you accelerate not to piss off those overtaking but simply because you want to get to B faster, and on the straight stretch you can.

It might not be to piss anyone off deliberately, but it is still grossly inconsiderate and annoying none the less. You need to be aware of your surroundings as a driver. If another car is up your anus before a passing lane, it typically means he wants to pass, not enjoy following the leader a little bit faster for 800 meters, haha.

Dairyxox

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#1161336 24-Oct-2014 12:54

What about passing lanes that have speed cameras on them, there's a spot like this on the main highway near pokeno (north or south cant remember). Often its difficult to get any passing done at this spot.

I'm all about not letting it get to me. Slow down & enjoy the journey.

heylinb4nz

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#1161339 24-Oct-2014 12:59

In a passing lane Ill do 110 to get past a car doing 80, if there isnt enough lane, then I dont bother. Overtaking on non passing lanes, I typically reach 120-125kmh (my cars acclerate fast).

Id rather chance a speeding ticket than hang around in the oncoming lane and risk my life.

I should note that and I think police officers are the lowest form of life next to politicians, typically if one does a U and tries to catch up to ticket me for speeding while overtaking I just keep going till I reach the nearest turn off and wait for 15 min or so.

hio77

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#1161349 24-Oct-2014 13:19

afe66: Does anyone slow when they are being overtaken or do we keep our speed and expect them to go faster to over take us.

Do we keep our foot on the gas going at 100k forcing the other to drive even faster "To show him"

It would be the safe thing for us to do, but do we do it ?

A.

given im often at the limit or just over, if i see it coming ill just let them past.. often its clear they are belting it, and ild prefer not to be around them when they do happen to crash..

Theres no point in putting your foot down to say hur hur, you cant pass me now! all that does is makes the person more angry and then they do more stupid acts...

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

BTR

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#1161354 24-Oct-2014 13:29

I remember reading somewhere that most people speed up on passing lanes without actually realising it. The article which I think was written by a phycologist and said that people speed up because the road is wider which makes them feel safer so speed up without realising.

Yes I find them annoying and as I've gotten older I have found myself taking more time when driving on long trips, the difference between driving at 100 and 100 is roughly only 5 minutes.

What really makes my blood boil is when someone passes dangerously and you see them 5 mins up the road at a dairy or petrol station, so their dangerous pass was for new reason....

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1161363 24-Oct-2014 13:57

BTR: when driving on long trips, the difference between driving at 100 and 100 is roughly only 5 minutes.

You've discovered a fold in the space-time continuum!

In all seriousness though, it makes a few minutes difference on a long trip. These days I have come to accept this, and only overtake when it is safe and I can do so at a reasonable speed. I do this mostly so I can enjoy the drive rather than being stuck behind someone and constantly having to mind my following distance.

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