why do people drive this way?

[buddfridge]

Driving to work this morning behind a van and an audi, I am following them for about three miles at under 50mph on a 60mph road and the audi isnt over taking but hasnt left me space...a little further down the road the audi falls back to about 30/40m so the road looks good ahead and pull out get alongside of audi only for the driver to put his foot down and close the gap...ended up having to pass the van too...mad.

[fredgroves]

Not paying attention then getting pee'd off

[Snoopy]

Audi driver... simple

[gtiaps]

I feel your pain being a hgv driver I can guarantee 99% of the time as soon as my right hand indicator cokes on to overtake or even if I'm pulling in I can see the bonnets lift n some a- -e hole puts their foot down to close the gap not much fun when ya trying to keep 44t rolling 

[itavaltalainen]

That goes two ways thou.... the number of times I had to brake harshly because someone in a 44 ton lorry decides to change lanes right in front of me while I was driving 70 (not accelerating) is frustrating (and dangerous).
Now if you then flash these black sheep you get fingers.... but if you pull in front of them and just lift off so you gradually slow down to 50mph mark oh you so get the flashes and horns, even though he has just forced you to slam your brakes on because he was doing 15-20mph less than you were 

Back to topic I don't understand either. But keeping reasonable distance to car in front of you is not really enforced in the UK. In Germany they give you fines and points; with regular checks on motorways and even A-roads.

[matchboy]

Audi driver... simple

Hey! 

[mustard]

Many people do seem to have lost the art of overtaking on normal roads, too many dual carriageways and motorways perhaps. I have noticed that if you do overtake, you get signals (that I am sure are not in the Highway Code) or horns sounded, or as others have mentioned dangerous actions.

[gtiaps]

That goes two ways thou.... the number of times I had to brake harshly because someone in a 44 ton lorry decides to change lanes right in front of me while I was driving 70 (not accelerating) is frustrating (and dangerous).
Now if you then flash these black sheep you get fingers.... but if you pull in front of them and just lift off so you gradually slow down to 50mph mark oh you so get the flashes and horns, even though he has just forced you to slam your brakes on because he was doing 15-20mph less than you were 

Back to topic I don't understand either. But keeping reasonable distance to car in front of you is not really enforced in the UK. In Germany they give you fines and points; with regular checks on motorways and even A-roads.

I can see the points from both sides iv been doing this job nearly 30 year's I have seen that done many times when a car van coach or even other trucks get pulled out on but i was on about in general but with your point of being pulled out on again 9 out of 10 it's because sum smaller vehicle has forced it's way in front of a truck closing the gap.
Again this discussion wud go round and round but I think the awareness has very much diminished especially from our EU peeps 

[The ANT]

In my opinion overtaking should be part of the driving test. I'm sure people thinking its illegal and/or dangerous.  (its only dangerous if done dangerously)

[dubber36]

In my opinion overtaking should be part of the driving test. I'm sure people thinking its illegal and/or dangerous.  (its only dangerous if done dangerously)

Or even how to allow others the space to overtake even if you don't wish to.

I tow a caravan, so am limited to 50mph on single carriageways. I've often got a long line of traffic behind me. No doubt I'm been cursed for causing the queue, but more often than not, it's the one or two cars directly behind me that are causing the problems. They are far too close to be able to see clear road ahead to be able to overtake if they want to. If they don't intend to overtake, then they are lengthening the line of traffic for those further back in the line who can see clear road to get past.

If I'm towing and am following a slower vehicle, there's probably not many opportunities for me to be able to overtake, so I'll always hang back, giving those behind the room to pull in front of me if they overtake me.

It's not difficult to comprehend, but so many people have little understanding of considerate driving or spacial awareness. We just need to appreciate that and not get worked up when they do something stupid.