Christmas is, according to the song, the most wonderful time of the year. However, it can also be a stressful one, particularly if you’re driving a long way to visit family or friends over the holiday period. A combination of Christmas shoppers, people rushing to make their next social gathering and the weather can make for fiery tempers and challenges on the roads. Some of these problems can also lead to points on your licence. As such, PetrolPrices has looked at ways in which we can all enjoy a calmer Christmas behind the wheel.
(Credit – Flickr User johnkell)
Avoid tailgating
One of the main causes of irritation on the roads is tailgating, according to the Accident Advice Helpline. The definition of tailgating is ‘when one motorist drives too close to the vehicle in front.’ This is often seen on motorways, when drivers in a hurry try to force those in front of them to go faster or to move out of that lane altogether.
Not only is tailgating one of the most annoying driving habits, many drivers don’t realise that it is against the law. Tailgating can land you with a fine of £100 and three points on your licence, but research by Confused.com shows that one-third of drivers don’t realise that this activity is illegal. The Confused.com survey also found that over 80% of drivers have been the victim of tailgating at some point, while more than 25% said they have experienced it as often as once a week.
After tailgating, other particularly annoying driving habits include drivers who don’t signal ( which irritates 72% of motorists), people texting while driving (57%) and people who leave their lights on full beam (55%). The findings show that if all motorists simply obeyed the rules of the road this Christmas, the winter driving experience would be a much calmer one!
Dealing with snow
Another common issue at this time of the year is snow. Unfortunately, many motorists don’t realise that you can get into trouble for not cleaning your car properly before you set off on a journey. Most are aware that you can get a fine for not clearing ice from your windscreen before travelling. However, many aren’t aware that driving with snow on your roof can result in a fine of £60.
Doing so can also see you get three points on your licence under Section 229 of the Highway Code. It outlines how a car should be prepared for driving, including:
• Being able to see
• Clearing snow and ice from windows
• Ensuring the lights and number plates are clear
• Ensuring that all snow that could fall off into the path of other drivers is removed
The last point is the one that can get you into trouble. If snow comes off your roof and hits a car behind you, obscuring their vision of the road, you could receive a fine of £100. So be sure you clear all the snow from your car before setting off!
Enjoy the roadwork amnesty
Another big cause of frustration and stress on the roads over Christmas is the many roadworks that slow down our festive journeys. This year, however, Highways England has said that it will be removing some 400 miles of roadworks over the Christmas and New Year period, to help ease the situation and make for less stress on the roads.
The roadworks embargo will be enforced from 06:00 on 22 December 2017 until 00:01 on 2 January 2018 to help people go about their Christmas business with as little disruption as possible. This will mean that 99% of journeys on motorways and trunk roads will be free from roadworks over the busiest days of the holiday period.
There will also be some 5,000 staff on hand, ranging from officers to control room workers, to help deal with incidents on the roads and to manage congestion. The Highways Agency aims to have the network running at peak capacity to reduce stress and make for a calmer time on the roads this Christmas.
Of course, this doesn’t just benefit drivers – road work crews will no doubt enjoy having a few days off to spend with their families and friends. It will also be a move welcomed by hauliers and delivery firms working over the last few days leading up to Christmas, as well as the busy sales period between Christmas and New Year, to help deliver their parcels more easily.
How do you plan to reduce road-related stress over the holiday period? Will the absence of roadworks encourage you to travel further afield? Leave a comment below to share your plans.
when parked wrong side of the road facing oncoming traffic do not leave headlights at night on
Last I knew was that even parking on the wrong side of the road at night was against the law.
Using headlights certainly has been fatal for passengers being picked up as obviously the oncoming drivers are ‘blinded’.
Actually the offside parking law was dropped earlier this year, sorry.
But I agree about the lights.
Taxis & delivery vans are the worst for that.
I find the best way to calm driving (anytime) is to drop well back from the vehicle in front (I’m going the same speed as him/her) and let the “fast life” hurtle past, I find they end up no faster than me at the end of the day as they are only as fast as the slowest vehicle in front. I end up with no stress unlike them… I’ve been driving like that for 57 years – no problems…
Anthony you have obviously not driven on the M25. Every time a gap appears in front someone will pass you and fill the gap!
Well said.
When roads are slippery, leave extra distance to vehicles in front and observe the situation in the far distance, not just the foreground. Keep the inside of windows clean, not just the outside.
Interesting that many drivers are more focussed on 20 yards ahead of their vehicle than looking further ahead and anticipating traffic changes.
Why?
Because of the poor state of our roads. Large potholes, sunken drains at the roadside, raised corners to manhole covers, etc., etc. They all mitigate against a ‘heads up’ approach to driving.
Driving with snow on the roof is dangerous..
The heat from the car will melt the underside of the snow so that when you brake it slides forward covering the windscreen.
If snow is forecast I carry a broom in the car – quick and easy to brush snow from the car before you set off.
I did some sums about distance from the car in front. Up to about 40mph the two second rule is fine and compares reasonably with the highway code recommended distances, but at 70 it needs a four (4) second rule to get near the recommended distances. Presumably anything closer than this is tailgating?
I was taught to leave half a car distance between my car and the car I am following. This works for most people.
half a car distance – and you are still alive? Amazing!
How you are still alive? You need taking off the road as soon as possible! Who taught you? Unbelievable!
You are a danger to everyone near you. Have you never seen those chevrons on the motorway carriageway? Most people do not observe the distance but get somewhere shorter – but nowhere near half a car. Are you having us all on?
Only when stopped, surely? Most definitely NOT whilst driving!
Think you have mis-remembered that figure. Half a car distance is 8 feet. You wont even have time to react at that distance. Check your Highway Code, or go to any tyre fitters and look at the charts they have on the wall. I think you will be shocked
Half a car is quite a big gap for Audi drivers though, unless by half a car you’re referring to a Smart.
Well said, Malton man. At 70mph on a motorway the distance between the marker posts should be maintained – more in inclement weather. This leads to a stress-free journey. As for ‘space invaders’, yes it will happen, but not as often as you might think. It’s all down to driver attitude.
At the end of the day what is needed is common sense and driving with due care and consideration !!!
The problem is that the standard of driving is very poor,ask almost any traffic cop & you can see it every day drivers do not look ahead & i agree with frank but not many drivers seem to have any common sense now a days.
I find it amusing that the survey says 72% of drivers are annoyed by others not indicating. (a pet hate of mine for over 40 years) My observations suggest that it’s about that number that don’t bother. So some that are annoyed must also be amongst those that don’t.
Two reasons for tailgating:-
1) middle lane hoggers on the motorway.
2) drivers that don’t seem capable of going over 40mph in a National limit.
Not to mention those who seem to think a speed limit means they have to drive UP to that limit (i.e. 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 mph.) rather than below it. Impatience with drivers who obey speed limits is harrassing and rude.
Talking to my Aunt yesterday about a speeding ticket she recently got (35 in a 30 limit), she said someone was tailgating her and it unnerves her so she doesn’t concentrate on her own speed or whats ahead.
I expect the idiot behind her got away with it because he was so close to her the mobile camera van would not be able to capture his reg!
Not making ‘normal progress’ is a driving test fail. On my driving tests for Motorcycle, Car, Bus and Lorry (I passed all) I was expected to drive at the ‘speed limit’ for the road or vehicle when conditions allowed to demonstrate my ability to SAFELY make NORMAL PROGRESS. If you are being regularly ‘tailgated’ perhaps you need to look at your own driving. Or you could simply be considerate and let them pass as you are clearly not in a hurry and have the time to spare.
There are certainly a significant number of drivers who ignore this. I was taught this in the late 90s. So, for example, not picking up speed from say a 40 mph zone when the speed becomes derestricted is certainly not making progress!
In that case, why is it not called a speed target? If I am doing 65 on a motorway where national speed limit applies is that abnormal progress?
Another piece of inconsiderate driving is when drivers sit at a junction or traffic lights with the foot brake on dazzling the car behind. Cars have handbrakes, use them.
Some of the LED brake lights on cars these days are ridiculously bright. Driving a 4×4 I can often get my dipped headlights shining in the mirrors of people who do this at night. If drivers use their handbrake and take their foot off the brake pedal my lights won’t be shining in their eyes.
You do realize that it’s illegal to do that? And I just adjust the mirrors in such a way not to get dazzled, and my interior mirror is Photochromic..
Sorry again, that’ll be cars with stop start systems, if you stop, press the clutch and break at the same time, the engine turns off. If you let go of the break, the engine starts.
1. With the clutch in, my stop-start doesn’t work. You have to be in neutral with the handbrake on, no pedals in use. The engine starts as soon as you drop the clutch to put it back in 1st.
2. The stop-start doesn’t work until the engine has reached working temperature, so it doesn’t work if I just drive three miles into town and back.
3. If your gearbox is automatic, you might having different habits at junctions.
4. It’s not one-size-fits-all, but you definitely need to consider other drivers when you sit with your foot on the brake (or drive with your rear fogs on in the rain, which is worse, because you’re all moving, rather than stationary at a junction).
I agree – far too bright burning your eyeballs! I always use the handbrake myself, it’s easier and considerate of others.
Will the 50mph avaerage speed limits on motorways still apply?
Only in the 50mph average speed areas
I intend to reduce my stress levels by not going more than 20 Miles from my nice comfy chair. Of course everyone’s coming to us!
Merry Christmas everyone.
I personally find it hard to understand why I have to drive so close to the car in front of me in order for that inconsiderate driver to get out of my way. It should be obvious that my time is more important than his or hers and it galls me that I have to constantly sound my horn and flash my lights to make them understand how annoying they are being. It has become the malaise of the majority of the driving public that they think ‘sticking to the speed limit’ gives them the right to obstruct those of us who actually lead worthwhile lives and need to be somewhere as quickly as possible.
I trust this is a wind up. If so, it’s amusing. If not, you are a complete f***ing idiot and should be removed from the road immediately … and preferably locked up out of harm’s way
Very good! I nearly spilt my rice krispies trying to read this while driving at 90 on the M6.
(it’s a joke people!)
when parked wrong side of the road facing oncoming traffic do not leave headlights at night on
Last I knew was that even parking on the wrong side of the road at night was against the law.
Using headlights certainly has been fatal for passengers being picked up as obviously the oncoming drivers are ‘blinded’.
Actually the offside parking law was dropped earlier this year, sorry.
But I agree about the lights.
Taxis & delivery vans are the worst for that.
I find the best way to calm driving (anytime) is to drop well back from the vehicle in front (I’m going the same speed as him/her) and let the “fast life” hurtle past, I find they end up no faster than me at the end of the day as they are only as fast as the slowest vehicle in front. I end up with no stress unlike them… I’ve been driving like that for 57 years – no problems…
Anthony you have obviously not driven on the M25. Every time a gap appears in front someone will pass you and fill the gap!
Well said.
When roads are slippery, leave extra distance to vehicles in front and observe the situation in the far distance, not just the foreground. Keep the inside of windows clean, not just the outside.
Interesting that many drivers are more focussed on 20 yards ahead of their vehicle than looking further ahead and anticipating traffic changes.
Why?
Because of the poor state of our roads. Large potholes, sunken drains at the roadside, raised corners to manhole covers, etc., etc. They all mitigate against a ‘heads up’ approach to driving.
Driving with snow on the roof is dangerous..
The heat from the car will melt the underside of the snow so that when you brake it slides forward covering the windscreen.
If snow is forecast I carry a broom in the car – quick and easy to brush snow from the car before you set off.
I did some sums about distance from the car in front. Up to about 40mph the two second rule is fine and compares reasonably with the highway code recommended distances, but at 70 it needs a four (4) second rule to get near the recommended distances. Presumably anything closer than this is tailgating?
I was taught to leave half a car distance between my car and the car I am following. This works for most people.
half a car distance – and you are still alive? Amazing!
How you are still alive? You need taking off the road as soon as possible! Who taught you? Unbelievable!
You are a danger to everyone near you. Have you never seen those chevrons on the motorway carriageway? Most people do not observe the distance but get somewhere shorter – but nowhere near half a car. Are you having us all on?
Only when stopped, surely? Most definitely NOT whilst driving!
Think you have mis-remembered that figure. Half a car distance is 8 feet. You wont even have time to react at that distance. Check your Highway Code, or go to any tyre fitters and look at the charts they have on the wall. I think you will be shocked
Half a car is quite a big gap for Audi drivers though, unless by half a car you’re referring to a Smart.
Well said, Malton man. At 70mph on a motorway the distance between the marker posts should be maintained – more in inclement weather. This leads to a stress-free journey. As for ‘space invaders’, yes it will happen, but not as often as you might think. It’s all down to driver attitude.
At the end of the day what is needed is common sense and driving with due care and consideration !!!
The problem is that the standard of driving is very poor,ask almost any traffic cop & you can see it every day drivers do not look ahead & i agree with frank but not many drivers seem to have any common sense now a days.
I find it amusing that the survey says 72% of drivers are annoyed by others not indicating. (a pet hate of mine for over 40 years) My observations suggest that it’s about that number that don’t bother. So some that are annoyed must also be amongst those that don’t.
Two reasons for tailgating:-
1) middle lane hoggers on the motorway.
2) drivers that don’t seem capable of going over 40mph in a National limit.
Not to mention those who seem to think a speed limit means they have to drive UP to that limit (i.e. 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 mph.) rather than below it. Impatience with drivers who obey speed limits is harrassing and rude.
Talking to my Aunt yesterday about a speeding ticket she recently got (35 in a 30 limit), she said someone was tailgating her and it unnerves her so she doesn’t concentrate on her own speed or whats ahead.
I expect the idiot behind her got away with it because he was so close to her the mobile camera van would not be able to capture his reg!
Not making ‘normal progress’ is a driving test fail. On my driving tests for Motorcycle, Car, Bus and Lorry (I passed all) I was expected to drive at the ‘speed limit’ for the road or vehicle when conditions allowed to demonstrate my ability to SAFELY make NORMAL PROGRESS. If you are being regularly ‘tailgated’ perhaps you need to look at your own driving. Or you could simply be considerate and let them pass as you are clearly not in a hurry and have the time to spare.
There are certainly a significant number of drivers who ignore this. I was taught this in the late 90s. So, for example, not picking up speed from say a 40 mph zone when the speed becomes derestricted is certainly not making progress!
In that case, why is it not called a speed target? If I am doing 65 on a motorway where national speed limit applies is that abnormal progress?
Another piece of inconsiderate driving is when drivers sit at a junction or traffic lights with the foot brake on dazzling the car behind. Cars have handbrakes, use them.
Some of the LED brake lights on cars these days are ridiculously bright. Driving a 4×4 I can often get my dipped headlights shining in the mirrors of people who do this at night. If drivers use their handbrake and take their foot off the brake pedal my lights won’t be shining in their eyes.
You do realize that it’s illegal to do that? And I just adjust the mirrors in such a way not to get dazzled, and my interior mirror is Photochromic..
Sorry again, that’ll be cars with stop start systems, if you stop, press the clutch and break at the same time, the engine turns off. If you let go of the break, the engine starts.
1. With the clutch in, my stop-start doesn’t work. You have to be in neutral with the handbrake on, no pedals in use. The engine starts as soon as you drop the clutch to put it back in 1st.
2. The stop-start doesn’t work until the engine has reached working temperature, so it doesn’t work if I just drive three miles into town and back.
3. If your gearbox is automatic, you might having different habits at junctions.
4. It’s not one-size-fits-all, but you definitely need to consider other drivers when you sit with your foot on the brake (or drive with your rear fogs on in the rain, which is worse, because you’re all moving, rather than stationary at a junction).
I agree – far too bright burning your eyeballs! I always use the handbrake myself, it’s easier and considerate of others.
Will the 50mph avaerage speed limits on motorways still apply?
Only in the 50mph average speed areas
I intend to reduce my stress levels by not going more than 20 Miles from my nice comfy chair. Of course everyone’s coming to us!
Merry Christmas everyone.
I personally find it hard to understand why I have to drive so close to the car in front of me in order for that inconsiderate driver to get out of my way. It should be obvious that my time is more important than his or hers and it galls me that I have to constantly sound my horn and flash my lights to make them understand how annoying they are being. It has become the malaise of the majority of the driving public that they think ‘sticking to the speed limit’ gives them the right to obstruct those of us who actually lead worthwhile lives and need to be somewhere as quickly as possible.
I trust this is a wind up. If so, it’s amusing. If not, you are a complete f***ing idiot and should be removed from the road immediately … and preferably locked up out of harm’s way
Very good! I nearly spilt my rice krispies trying to read this while driving at 90 on the M6.
(it’s a joke people!)