Highway Code And Application

[Ianb]

Sooooo, I had a quick search online but couldn't find the exact code, but I was thinking about the highway code and answers to questions and how it's sort of contradictory, when you're a picky person like me!

If someone is tailgating you then you are supposed to:

1) speed up

2) slow down

3) allow a bigger stopping distance between you and car in front....

Does that ring a bell?... But, isn't 2 and 3 sort of conducive of each other?

Also, what are people's views on zebra crossings? I'm a sort of mathematical guy, I don't like the sort of wishy washy answers which were given by my driving instructor when I questioned when to stop, "when you can see someone is going to cross"... Yeh, that's fine except for the time he told me off when someone was walking with their back to me up towards a crossing that I past before they got there...

So when do you stop? Or when are you supposed to stop?

I generally use a personal rule of when someone is about a metre or 2 with clear intentions of crossing... If someone has their back to me then I will drive until they appear to look for traffic.. I've had it before when I stopped (as driving instructor said) and the person walked straight past zebra crossing...

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

The answer to the 1st question is # 2 & by doing that you achieve # 3 :)

The answer to the 2nd question is that a motorist is legally obliged to stop when the pedestrian has a foot on the zebra crossing - however on a driving test you may / will fail if you don't give way to a pedestrian obviously waiting to cross

[Ianb]

The answer to the 1st question is # 2 & by doing that you achieve # 3 :)

The answer to the 2nd question is that a motorist is legally obliged to stop when the pedestrian has a foot on the zebra crossing - however on a driving test you may / will fail if you don't give way to a pedestrian obviously waiting to cross

But by definition would you say waiting to cross means that they have reached the crossing before your wheel touches the crossing no?

I thought the answer was #3? Lol

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

On a driving test the examiner will often look to the candidate to take into account the often stupid actions of pedestrians & cyclists near crossings

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

Nope, by gradually slowing down you achieve a bigger gap in front

Yes , you are not expected to stop at a crossing if your front wheels are already on it !

Similarly, attempting to stop at traffic lights which are already amber as your front wheels are on the stop line is potentially dangerous & anticipation & awareness are key with both these scenarios

It is often the driver of a motorised vehicle's responsibility to avoid an accident with a cyclist or pedestrian

[WES180]

My Highway Code must have been different, I remember it saying if someone is tailgating you, brake and stop in the middle of the road, jump out of the car and sprint to theirs while simultaneously screaming obscenities and then attempt to remove them from their drivers seat for a physical lesson in why you dont tailgate! I will see if i can find my book.;)

[Ianb]

My Highway Code must have been different, I remember it saying if someone is tailgating you, brake and stop in the middle of the road, jump out of the car and sprint to theirs while simultaneously screaming obscenities and then attempt to remove them from their drivers seat for a physical lesson in why you dont tailgate! I will see if i can find my book.;)

I just become more laborious in my driving, taking extra care when turning, nice and slow, don't accelerate too hard or brake too hard.... And of course if their car is nice and clean, windscreen washer wars commence....

[richard150]

the highway code book I had was done by mr turpin

[SeanW]

So much easier at sea:

If in doubt, turn right in most cases lol

(Or "I have guns! Move!" For the Navy ;))

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

Shame the RN don't use them more often . . .

I can think of a few targets :)

[Phil 87]

I had to exercise rule 3 this morning on the M1, but surprisingly it was a Mondeo on my bumper rather than the usual Audi or Vauxhall. I think what we need is a button to aim the rear washer backwards to really deal with tailgaters.

As for zebra crossings I'm probably too cautious. I start slowing down if I see anyone that could try to cross it before I've cleared it, but maybe that's correct. You can get some pedestrians who want to walk into your car as you drive past even when there isn't a zebra crossing, so if these people think they have right of way then you never know what they'll do.

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

A rear facing multiple RPG launcher 007 style would see to tailgating morons :)

[alexp999]

I tend to rest my foot on the brake just enough to set off the lights, usually helps.

Whilst also increasing the gap in front, as usually I end up really distracted by the moron behind.