51 replies to this topic

[analogue_radio]

I'm going to openly admit this, as I want to know what everyone else thinks. My Dad is on here so he'll read it too, but that doesn't worry me.

I have a strict rule of driving under/at the speed limit in villages/towns & cities, but when I get the chance on roads such as country lanes, a-roads or motorways I'll put my foot down if I can, but never ever in the wet weather (snow, wind, rain etc..) and not in the daylight if I can't see the road ahead, but at night I will put my foot down more along roads if I can't see any headlights ahead and I'm confident I have a chance to speed up a bit.

I also don't overtake during the day if I can't see the road ahead, but at night (and only if the car is going slow or at the speed limit) I will overtake if I can't see any headlights ahead.

I'd say I'm a very aware driver, I know my own limits and I haven't found out the minis limits and I don't intend on doing so, oh and I slow right down for corners, I never ever take them fast and loose control.

& I never drive like this with anyone else in the car, only when I'm by myself.

Sound okay?

What your driving style?

[Git]

but at night I will put my foot down more along roads if I can't see any headlights ahead and I'm confident I have a chance to speed up a bit.

I also don't overtake during the day if I can't see the road ahead, but at night (and only if the car is going slow or at the speed limit) I will overtake if I can't see any headlights ahead.


& I never drive like this with anyone else in the car, only when I'm by myself.

People and animals in the road don't have headlights.

You may be on your own in the car, but you are NOT alone on the road. If you want to be Lewis Hamilton, may I suggest going to a track day.

[Ru55boy]

Sounds like quite a good attitude towards driving, whilst still being able to enjoy yourself.

As said though, you must not rely on other vehicles being the only hazards in the road at night, as you will inevitably hit a pedestrian, animal, tractor, tree branch, blown over wheelie bin....

"Never drive so fast that you cannot stop comfortably on your side of the road within the distance you can see to be clear."

If you want to improve your driving skills, increase your hazard awareness, observation skills, attitude etc, then buy this book LINK

[Jammy]

Roadcraft is definitely a good book to read and drive by, as is going through the IAM. You might not quite agree with everything the IAM teaches you (I don't), but if you can learn the skills, and use the methods at least 90% of the time then you'll be far less likely to get yourself in a situation where you don't have control of the outcome.

But it does sound like you've got the basics of good, safe driving. As someone else has pointed out, certain things don't have headlights at night, pedestrians and cyclists included, so make sure even though it's at night you still have very good clear visibility of the road ahead.

[Guess-Works.com]

I concur....

It sounds like you are a very responsible driver during daylight hours, and for a young driver I commend your attitude, but night time driving, even though you have the advantage of being able to see round corners to an extent with on coming headlights, there are many more hazards which you will not be able to see...whether it be pedestrians, animals or even road conditions.

There was an insurance policy a few years back ( not sure if it is still available ) which was a 'pay as you drive' basis. Like with phones this had different rates based on the time of use. During the night time the tariff was something like 10 times the amount for daytime. I suspect this was based on some very extensive research which showed a substantial increase in risk when a car is driven at night...

[spaceoctagon]

How can you drive a 998cc Mini fast on A roads and Motorways, its impossible. They only do 80mph and it takes a decade to get to that speed.

[Dev]

If you have to ask then its probably not ok

[gav]

If a pedestrian is in the middle of a country road at night then they are asking to be hit imo.

[Mini_the_Minx]

How can you drive a 998cc Mini fast on A roads and Motorways, its impossible. They only do 80mph and it takes a decade to get to that speed.

Then why does the speedo reach 90mph? Also, why does my 998 hit over 100 and gets there quite easily?? Maybe you should check your engine.

But in response to theImage, if you need to ask then you obviously must feel it may not be ok. I have learnt already that you can't go by oncoming headlights after my sister drove into a tree that had been blown down after going round a corner whilst under the belief that as there were no oncoming headlights, she was ok.

I think you have a good basis to begin with to be a good driver but as many on here will tell you, its experience that counts. Everybody has a different style to driving so only you really know if what you do is safe or not.

[Ethel]

How can you drive a 998cc Mini fast on A roads and Motorways, its impossible. They only do 80mph and it takes a decade to get to that speed.

Many can do 90 plus which is way too fast for most roads. I'd think night time driving results in proportionally more bumps as roads are quieter allowing higher speeds. Drunks & ice are also more likely.

[998dave]

If a pedestrian is in the middle of a country road at night then they are asking to be hit imo.

What about at the side of the road when there's no footpath?

D

[Heather&Henrietta]

Now for my say...

I passed my driving test in August, so when I was first learning to drive, I spent a lot of time having driving lessons in the dark or during the horrible winter weathers...I had most of my lessons at 6-30am to 8-30am, so that I could drive to sixth form after my lesson, and mainly down to my instructor being so busy.
Whilst having driving lessons in the dark etc were useful in getting used to night drivingetc, I didn't really like it. Since passing my test, I feel more confident in driving at night or in poor weather conditions, but I still tend to drive at 55mph on main roads and I obviously stick to other speed limits in towns etc. I have a 998cc engine which doesn't let me past 70mph much but even then I don't like to push my engine and I feel safer at slightly slower speeds. Whilst being a young new driver, I'm not a speed freak.

I know one of my biggest influences for driving slower in Henrietta is probably down to knowing some of the consequences of having a crash in a mini. Such as decapitation from the roof, impalement from the steering column, and loosing feet or legs in the footwell. I know people who have had this happen to them, well not decapitation but have either been pinned to their chair or having serious leg or foot injuries...

I obviously can't tell you how to drive, but remember that just because there are no headlights, does not mean there is a hazard ahead. Animals, people, fallen trees, anything...Another thing I am always aware of are animals, particularly deer, if a deer jumps out infront of you, then say goodbye to your mini and maybe youre life...

I reckon you're pretty clued up on you daylight driving, but night driving tends to be riskier. Just remember what some people here have told you, and maybe think twice about putting your foot down...

"Never drive so fast that you cannot stop comfortably on your side of the road within the distance you can see to be clear."

[jammiedodger26]

How can you drive a 998cc Mini fast on A roads and Motorways, its impossible. They only do 80mph and it takes a decade to get to that speed.

Only do 80? But that's illegal on all roads in the Uk anyway, fast doesn't have to mean mph, it can just be in context to the conditions. 60mph on an A road could be too fast for the conditions, weather, degree of corner etc!

"only" doing 80mph...you may need to reassess your driving!!

[T.Harper]

Then why does the speedo reach 90mph? Also, why does my 998 hit over 100 and gets there quite easily?? Maybe you should check your engine.

I'll remember that...if I need more speed, I'll fix a longer speedo. Phew, that'll save me a few bob

[Mini_the_Minx]

Then why does the speedo reach 90mph? Also, why does my 998 hit over 100 and gets there quite easily?? Maybe you should check your engine.

I'll remember that...if I need more speed, I'll fix a longer speedo. Phew, that'll save me a few bob

As in if it only does 80mph at a push, why does the speedo go higher and mine goes off the clock!