[Goandiaries]

Had encountered this reckless one on my way from Coimbatore to Bangalore at the Dhimbam ghats. This is how I spotted this bad driver

https://youtu.be/H4aUHQ837SQ

[electric_eel]

Originally Posted by Goandiaries

Had encountered this reckless one on my way from Coimbatore to Bangalore at the Dhimbam ghats. This is how I spotted this bad driver

https://Youtu.be/H4aUHQ837SQ

Yes that was bad and sadly it is not very uncommon. But shall I point out that you should have waited for the alto to complete its overtaking the truck before initiating your overtake. I understand that you might miss on the straight stretch and may have to stay behind the slow truck for quite some time but following another overtaking car reduces visibility considerably a leaves you very little escape options in such a terrain. In addition the one you are following has "proven" track record of cutting it short. Definitely not a role model worth following.

[Goandiaries]

Originally Posted by electric_eel

Yes that was bad and sadly it is not very uncommon. But shall I point out that you should have waited for the alto to complete its overtaking the truck before initiating your overtake. I understand that you might miss on the straight stretch and may have to stay behind the slow truck for quite some time but following another overtaking car reduces visibility considerably a leaves you very little escape options in such a terrain. In addition the one you are following has "proven" track record of cutting it short. Definitely not a role model worth following.

Good point . However, I wasn't really keen on following the Alto anytime. There was a moment of a good view on the inside line of the truck just after the Tempo traveller comes into view. It was at this moment that I decided to overtake the truck. The speed was also around 20 plus a few metres gap behind the truck before overtaking, in case if there's anything else coming on my way I could go back in line. And when I got a good view ahead, I proceeded. But definitely not a blind overtake

[Toni]

Originally Posted by Ghost131100

At least in Kolkata, in my opinion :
1. They drive very slowly or too fast then brake hard.
2. They attempt to overtake from the wrong side
3. They come very close or “chappo” you for no reason.
4. They don’t use indicators and suddenly change lanes with no regard for anyone else on the road.
5. They brake test people for no reason.
6. They drive fast and rash without being able to actually control their car or actually having the confidence to do so.

Yes the list can go on endlessly. I had read somewhere long time ago that there are many monkeys all over the road. You have to be very alert to spot them, anticipate and know from before what their next move will be.

Be alert always guys.

[JoeMichael]

Just a 10-minute long dash cam video of drive around in Bangalore city. How many instances of bad/dangerous driving can you spot. I counted 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpUSMBJeHSo

[TGDI]

Guess I am the bad driver today. I was going home from a 200km morning drive. I entered the service road where there were a couple of young folks who are walking right on the road even though they have a good amount of sidewalk available. They kept blocking everyone despite every vehicle blaring horn and going past through them closely. Service roads here are treated two ways even though they are just a bit wider than single way roads and these guys were occupying half of the road carelessly. I blared horns a couple of times to overtake them but still they were adamant to move. There are vehicles coming on the opposite side of the road continuously, so there is no way for me to go. I came to a complete stop, blared horns, couldn't get these guys to move and I hence made a decision that I can pass through them closely and safely. I waited for the opposite vehicular density to reduce and then I made my move. Guess what, these guys further came onto the road and by the time my bonnet had already crossed them and suddenly in a split second, one of the guys elbow got hit by my side mirror.

I drive very sedately and maybe I was driving at around 20kmph when this happened. I wanted to stop and check but was afraid that I can be a victim of mob violence even though as per me it's not my mistake. I hence drove away and in the side mirror, I could see them hurling abuses at me with some hand gestures. I know I may not be 100% correct.

I have a dashcam but unfortunately this incident was not recorded as we were copying some old files from the SD card and forgot to reinsert it in dashcam.

What should I have done better in this situation?

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by TGDI

What should I have done better in this situation?

Not driven aggressively. Not even passive-aggressively!

Yes, I know: when others are being absolute jerks, it is much more easily said than done, but it is the answer.

If you are forced to drive really close to someone, don't do it at 20, or 10 kph. Do it at 1 or 2 kph. Remember what it feels like to walk into something: it can hurt. And any faster can really injure.

[TGDI]

May not be the one from the list of top 5 bad drivers. But nevertheless this is the usual scene near toll plazas. To save a minute, try to put everyone at risk. And irony is that he made this risky move and still got stuck much longer than me.

And honorable mention to another idiot who was blaring horns at me while I was waiting

https://youtu.be/lxOQrw1CspA?si=ac97Ozk89wngaxKR

[shresan23]

Ive been driving for only 6 months now, it is too early to be judging people. So experienced drivers do tell me if my observation is right. I have noticed the following in generic bad drivers.

1. Swaying - My dad taught me to look at the front wheel while ascertaining the viability of an overtake and i have realised that the drivers who sway a lot, maybe dont have a proper reconstruction of the position of the car on their mind and are an accident risk !

2. Incessant Braking in a relatively smooth traffic - All of us might do this. In a traffic where everyone is moving at ~the same speed, we just shift to the right gear for that speed or one gear up and just coast with the crowd, without just braking. If you spot someone just jumping forward and braking incessantly, he/she is probably a bad driver. (of course, this might mean lack of time, an automatic car etc., but the evidence has proven otherwise in many cases)

3. Jumping signals - This is relatively elementary and the chances are, you wont have a skrimish with them. A person who is insane enough to jump signals is most probably some one who would disregard the rules of driving in general.

4. Beams - The ones who use too much of their dim dippers are often, very bad drivers. I use the dipper too, but just once while i am tailing a vehicle. The ones who have a parkinsons issue with the beam stalk are either rushing to the hospital or are just plain mad drivers.

These are my observations. Did not mean to criticise anyone's driving style though !

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by shresan23

... Did not mean to criticise anyone's driving style though!

Don't be shy! If anyone disagrees, they will soon tell you. That is how we learn from each other

In a traffic where everyone is moving at ~the same speed, we just shift to the right gear for that speed or one gear up and just coast with the crowd, without just braking.

My contribution... It is better to be in a lower gear than a higher gear. Lower gear means having more control over ones vehicle. Engine braking is enhanced, as is the possibility of instantly increasing speed.

[shresan23]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Don't be shy!



My contribution... It is better to be in a lower gear than a higher gear.

Thanks man.

As far as the second part goes, I totally agree with the staying in a lower gear part. I constantly practise it when the traffic is particularly notorious. I am referring to those over enthusiastic drivers who tend to jerk forward, kiss the lead car's bumper, brake hard and repeat. This practise, as i am led to believe, kills your mileage, wears a lot of parts out and is generally an unsafe way to drive.

One more issue with this type of driving is that while you have more braking power, you also have more acceleration on your end. If, while you are accelerating, the car in front decided to tap on the brakes, a rear collision is probable.

And when the traffic is sedate, i switch to a higher gear, to reduce the accelerator input. I account for the loss in control or braking power by maintaining extra distance from the car in front, thereby giving me more time for a bit of hard braking and down shifting. Yes, in an emergency, i will wear the brake pad down more, but emergencies dont happen everyday.

And i also make sure i am ready for one, in such a scenario.

[GTE]

How to spot one? Easy throw a stone and the chances are very good that you will hit one.

[asmr]

Originally Posted by TGDI

To save a minute, try to put everyone at risk. And irony is that he made this risky move and still got stuck much longer than me.

And honorable mention to another idiot who was blaring horns at me while I was waiting

OK, I have to ask.

I agree what the Nexon driver did was not very polite road manners, but didn't you do the exact same thing by moving in to the next lane? Maybe the car behind you felt that you took his place in the lane he was aiming for and was honking in protest, however safe it had been for you to move in to that lane?

Just to add, I have seen this happen several times and even when the lanes where completely full to half a km before the toll gate. My family members get irritated with me when I just select one lane and stick to it. Thus my question.

[TGDI]

Originally Posted by asmr

OK, I have to ask.

I agree what the Nexon driver did was not very polite road manners, but didn't you do the exact same thing by moving in to the next lane? Maybe the car behind you felt that you took his place in the lane he was aiming for and was honking in protest, however safe it had been for you to move in to that lane?

I did look in the mirror and then made a move. I couldn't see anyone in my vicinity. Unfortunately I don't have a rear dashcam to prove the same. But, If you observe the video again, the honking started much later after I went into the lane. He was honking to get attention of toll plaza employees(he was displaying some ID card)

[asmr]

Originally Posted by TGDI

I did look in the mirror and then made a move. I couldn't see anyone in my vicinity. Unfortunately I don't have a rear dashcam to prove the same. But, If you observe the video again, the honking started much later after I went into the lane. He was honking to get attention of toll plaza employees(he was displaying some ID card)

Of course, I was not implying that you made an unsafe move. And also I do understand why you moved to the next lane (and the Nexon guy would be doing a facepalm for his choice ).

My speculation was more on the other car's intent. But from what you say, it might have been a 'government babu' or someone with exempt Fastag feeling too important to stop for a few seconds at the gate.