Ash's Driving Fail November | An Eventful Lesson

[@rickparkinmoto]

I can't remember where I got this advice, but many years ago someone said try driving so you use the brakes as little as possible. Such a simple piece of advice leads to better distancing, awareness of hazards, and a much more stress-free motoring life. Also I totally agree with your stance on mobile phones. There's no excuse.

[@David-sw2fn]

Absolutely. It’s incredible how many drivers do this in the outer lane of a motorway at next to 80mph. The reason, of course, is that they are far, far too close to the vehicle in front. Often barely a vehicle’s length behind. I personally aim to be sufficiently far behind another vehicle on the motorway that I can respond to changes in their speed by simply stepping off the accelerator, not by braking. That is unless more aggressive action is needed due to very sudden slowing of traffic.

[@Wehttamman]

I make it a game on motorways to try and not have to brake when I'm on them

[@DeanoDrives]

@@Wehttamman me too haha. Its also a good way to practice your rev-matching / downshifts

[@kenbrown2808]

it also makes your brake shoes last longer.

[@David-sw2fn]

@@Wehttamman It is indeed weirdly satisfying to be on a motorway for a couple of hours without ever braking.

[@keith6400]

1:39 A deep wide puddle on the left which you are passing wide and just going through the shallow margin has triggered a white car to overtake aggressively perhaps also spurred on by a learner so wide. He hammers past on the overtake only to find you pass him at the traffic lights. Drivers like this never look at the whole picture and think "me" and "now" contribute to making driving a nasty environment.

[@SuperVitz]

Brake happy - good term, I'll use that. Many times it's people in automatic cars driving with BOTH feet. The risk is that any following traffic will come to ignore the brake lights, and then when they actually brake with some force, they will risk an accident. This is why it's a good idea to allow extra space when following someone with disco brake lights. RIP brake pads and brake light bulbs...

[@Z3DM4N13]

I've often seen it when people are on their phone, the lack of attention & random braking is a warning to steer clear from them.

[@highdownmartin]

Described as comfort braking. I like to sit a reasonable distance behind these cars, usually going slower than they could do, and saying “ brake” when they approach some imperceptible bend on the road. And sure enough, they do. And if they don’t they get a sarcastic “ ooooh , well done “. Livens a dull journey up

[@IanBennetts]

I thought it might be an EV with regenerative braking enabled, which puts brake lights on when lifting the accelerator. But then I saw the exhaust.

[@AwoudeX]

@@highdownmartin I could be calling people around me idiots for not having their lights on or doing other stupid stuff, but at the same time i'm very composed with my driving. I won't let the idiots get to me. Occasionally though i'll be taking off with some more temperament when a situation delayed my journey more than i'm used to. All within the bounds of safety ofcourse. I'm still a novice driver and the biggest deal is always stupid stuff others do in traffic, especially the unexpected stupid stuff.

[@MrsJolene-]

That's why I like it when newer cars have lights that light up more when they're braking harder. Our Volvo puts on hazard lights by itself when you brake hard. I think it's smart of the car companies.

[@simonslator7181]

I don't comment on KZbin videos very often, but please keep doing what you're doing. In a couple of years, my son will turn 17 and likely to be taking driving lessons, so I'd like to help him by giving him driving experience outside of his lessons. Your videos have been educational to me in regards to anticipation and preparation, and I hope to pass that learning onto him. Thank you for maintaining this channel, Ashley - you're a legend :)

[@ashley_neal]

Wow, thank you!

[@neilholmes8200]

I had a moment today when I thought "what would Ashley do" lol. I was driving along my road, approaching a side road on the left. It's pretty open on my approach, so I could see a car was coming along the side road, but there was also a car parked right on the bend, restricting their view. I figured he might not see me, so (after checking there was nobody behind me) slowed down. Lo and behold he pulled out into the road without checking properly. Fortunately my slower speed allowed me to come to a virtual stop and avoid hitting him. He was very apologetic about it though, which makes a change

[@frasermathers2287]

Hi Ashley as much as I love your videos and as a retired ADI and HGV Class 1 and PCV licence holder, it just reminds me and helps justify to me why I retired from teaching. Everyone used to say "How do you put up with these learners"? It was never the learners that were the problem, but the other road users. The standard of driving we see and the level of sheer stupidity I have witnessed over the years took its toll on me with stress having to put up with this 12-14 hours a day ended up with a heart condition. Your level and quality of teaching is first class and I find that we both use similar methods and styles. Keep up the good work and hopefully as can be witnessed by the many comments from viewers, at least some drivers can make improvements by using your clips.

[@btk1]

Callum’s doing great. If they continue driving like this when they pass their test they’ll do well in future 👍 good luck Callum!

[@ashley_neal]

Thankfully but not surprisingly Callum passed a few days later 👍🏼

[@iseeolly9959]

@@ashley_neal He deserved it, great driving.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@ashley_neal He stood out as a good driver in those clips.

[@MK-1973]

I was going to say the same! Congratulations Callum, wishing you many years happy and safe motoring.

[@thecraigmachine69]

I completely agree with your sentiment towards people using mobiles while driving. I live in rural town in Scotland, on the corner of a main junction in the town which a lot of people walk through. Without bias, van drivers in particular are the most common type of drivers using the phone while behind the wheel. When driving up the A9, you can actually see van drivers through the windscreen approaching on the opposite side not even looking at the road. Unless something very interesting is happening on their steering wheel/lap, I can only presume they are on their phone.

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Cycling Mickey gets a lot of hate for reporting drivers on their phones, but has had a lot of success. Re-education for drivers who get found maybe better than fines or points. It has been used for speeding.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

It doesn't work, hitting someone with a much harsher penalty or banning people from driving and looking at it as anti social on the level of drink or drugged driving is how it should be. Awareness courses are a weak option that delivers no benefit to society/safety IMHO

[@RichO1701e]

@@ynotnilknarf39 penalty punishments are a proven failure. 3pts, 6pts, cash fines, none of it's working. Education is more effective at changing behaviour

[@ynotnilknarf39]

@@RichO1701e Not from what I've seen, the punishments are not harsh enough, that is the problem.

[@grahambonner508]

@@RichO1701e I agree, did a speed awareness coarse a few years ago and found it very useful/educational, I definitely benefitted from it.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@ynotnilknarf39 I chose a driver awareness course when I got caught speeding. It still hurt me financially, costing about the same as a fine but I did learn from it. They're fully aware that some will attend with the intention of not learning anything but they'll get caught again for that very reason, hopefully before they wreak too much damage. However, courses are only available for lower levels of speeding, more serious offenders don't have that option and may even face an 'automatic' ban if it's serious enough. Mobile use should, in my opinion, be treated like drink-driving; there are very few people these days who think drink-driving is acceptable, and that should be the goal with mobile use, to make it socially unacceptable. I'd put good money on those who think drink-driving is OK also thinking using a mobile is OK - such people are beyond educating and we simply need to get them off the roads. Society was educated about this with public campaigns rather than courses. More resources need to be provided in this respect. We can all play a part by calling it out and refusing to travel with a driver who uses a mobile, just as we would with a drink-driver.

[@emount5263]

Been watching for a while now and had my test this morning…. Passed first time with only 1 minor! Thanks for the tips!

[@ashley_neal]

Great job!

[@PedroConejo1939]

Well done.

[@brantnuttall]

11:00 is it just me or did anyone else find that clip funny. He uses his right foot more than me when I'm playing the piano.

[@benhutchinson3185]

I like to think that they were just left foot braking, so they were just pressing away

[@memes3874]

just on their way to tap dancing classes and want to be warmed up by the time they're there

[@stevesales4263]

The comment at about 7:40 regarding an instant 3 month ban , no exceptions, for using a hand held mobile phone made me chuckle. It seems that with so many offences resulting in a total of 12 points+, the go-to mitigation is that the perpetrator would lose their job. Tough! In my opinion, they know the risks and penalties and obviously accept offences as an occupational hazard. Get the points, get a ban, no exceptions for those with the money or contacts to avoid the penalty.

[@davidsomething4867]

With many hands free kits been available there is no need. Put the phone in a cradle with hands free, if you want to make a call pull over, if you have a car with voice controlled phone system then there is no reason to touch a phone whilst you are driving at all. There is always the factor of distraction but you are never going to rule out all forms of distraction if the driver is been distracted by been on the phone the driver jus needs to say to the person on the other end of the phone that they are driving and they need to ring them back.

[@newforestukulelefestival]

Totally agree about the instant ban, no exceptions for using the phone while driving. Use bluetooth - that's what it's there for !! Constant on/off brake lights are usually the sign of a tailgater.

[@mig1017]

Great instructor. Explains everything clearly and calmy. These videos are great refreshers to polish up driving

[@brantnuttall]

10:00. I once got a lift for a journey of about 20 miles on open roads where the guy couldn't keep his foot still on the pedal so it was a case of very slight acceleration then braking, very slight acceleration then braking, very slight acceleration then braking. I still remember it 25 years later. Not pleasant. lol

[@ibs5080]

You made me laugh just reading and imagining that...and I wasn't even there!

[@cargy930]

I have a neighbour who does it too. He doesn't seem to grasp that the accelerator has more than two positions.

[@brantnuttall]

@@cargy930 lol

[@fozzie221]

clip 6 is one of my pet hates when people park up on the opposite side of the road with headlights on

[@Jimages_uk]

I have to say, I am really impressed with your pupil in clip 7. They come across as someone who is not only aware of their surroundings, but knows how to be proactive to avoid a situation. I find that most people are either reluctant to use a horn, or just use them inappropriately, but this was the perfect example of when to use one for the benefit of all involved, not aggressively, (like many do) but to warn of their presence. I suspect this pupil will be a future contributor to your channel Ashley.

[@CraigNiel]

7:37 Couldn't agree more. I also think that if you continue to do it then it doubles, 6 month next time, do it again and it's a year and so on.

[@jackw7714]

Although driving bans are pretty useless because if you disobey them nothing much happens. I think the starting point for driving when disqualified should be a prison sentence, and it should be treated as contempt of court (i.e. tried by a judge)

[@linedwell]

First few clips at night... Does anyone else find it really hard driving at night there's days now that lights all seem to be blue and very bright? I feel like I'm dazzled all the time and often don't feel safe.

[@dmac2573]

Yeah I've definitely noticed myself getting dazzled more, but I also have astigmatism which makes it worse.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

The whole DRLs and needing brighter lights for 'safety' is complete bullshit, it's a total misunderstanding of safety and risk compensation. Brighter lights for night time driving produce the most ridiculous dazzle these days, worse in the rain, on 30mph roads you only need sidelights, it even says so in the HC! Certainly on lit roads there's no need for sunflares and this type of light has become too prevelent for people on bikes also. I ride a lot (many times more miles than I drive these days), I use very specific lights with a tight focused beam for seeing a little ways ahead on unlit roads (which I ride on often), however even when it might be a higher speed scenario like a downhill section I won't go for more lighting because it simply eggs you on to go faster thinking you can see further, but your brain cannot process the information fast enough, same with motorists, that means reduced thinking and braking time for situations beyond the distance you can see to be clear is why as many people crash at night time as ever, the additional dazzle makes it even worse. I only passed in '92 drove an Austin Allegro from the 1970s as my first car and never found it insufficient headlights wise., now they're like off road nightime Rally lights!

[@RichPAFC1987]

I get this as well. On a few narrow ish roads the other night, I just eased up a bit when faced with oncoming traffic, whereas in the day I don't need to

[@Rover200Power]

It is awful around town. Dazzled from cars coming towards you, dazzled by cars parked on your side of the road with their headlights on for no good reason. Light reflecting off the road and shop windows, I need some sunglasses.

[@davidlewis2117]

Led and hid lights dazzle viciously on anything other than a dead straight ,dead level , dead smooth road. Original equipment lights are just as bad as aftermarket ones in my opinion.

[@sykurpudi1]

Using phones while driving is such a simple error to fix, too, without really changing much about your behaviour. Hands free devices have been a thing for many years and in many places is a requirement of the job employer. I, as a lorry driver, use bluetooth earbuds I've chosen that are comfortable in my ears even through the entire work day and I don't even have to pick up the phone to answer calls. It's so simple but still there's so many that are unable to implement it into their lives.

[@raymondbenjamins5884]

Most modern cars also come with built-in bluetooth and microphones, as well as buttons to answer the phone on the steering wheel, so you don't even need any third party devices. Just connect your phone with bluetooth once and it will automatically connect anytime you have your phone with you. I just put my phone away where I can't even see it and it works perfectly.

[@PsychoticEwok]

I use my phone while driving as a sat Nav and use Google assistant voice control to make calls of I really really need to never actually touch the phone and only look at it to see where I'm going

[@MrLense]

Yeah I don't get it, it seems more the technologically illiterate have this problem. It's not hard to plug your phone in to an infotainment system and use Carplay or android auto and forget about it, you can use voice control to talk to text and use satnav. Of course a lot of cars on our roads still date before a lot of Bluetooth or any smart features are even standard so there's still that problem.

[@craig3802]

It’s peoples attitude that’s the problem, I see plenty of young people who have grew up with the technology and have modern cars still on their phones simply because they’re not bothered

[@stuarthtodd]

Yeah - I use my builtin bluetooth with my phone and don't need to touch it. I won't answer calls unless I'm expecting them either when in the car. I do wonder, though, what 'excuses' people use if/when they are caught by Police when using them while driving?

[@theworldsmost]

I do sometimes wonder when I'm driving behind a brake happy driver if they realise they can adjust or slow their speed by taking their foot of the accelerator... 🤔

[@alangknowles]

As a pedestrian, I find silent electric cars manoeuvring at slow speed on housing estates could be usefully fitted with a small speaker to indicate their presence.

[@susiejones3634]

And in car parks!

[@craig3802]

The police need to make it easier for people to send in dash cam footage for convictions

[@copperfield3629]

I love how pragmatic and insightful your students are... excellent stuff, thank you for turning out some quality drivers onto our roads, hopefully you can drag up the average driving standard a bit!!!

[@alfresco8442]

I agree with everything you say about the use of mobile phones. I've noticed this a lot on the A5758 lately. Because it's a rather limited access and free-flowing 50 mph zone, people seem to think they can do what they like on it. I haven't seen any makeup applications so far, but it's only a matter of time.

[@TG-pd3ft]

That dark, wet lesson at the start was eventful! Good driving by the learner in tough conditions, Very helpful to point out the futility of that Fiesta's mad lunge.

[@namara22]

Poor Callum! He did so well keeping his concentration on the road and what you were telling him! It’s such a shame learners are having to deal with so many idiots on the road!

[@RazorSharpRust]

Definitely agree with you on the ban like I said in one of your previous videos. The only deterrent is the strictest one because nobody pays attention to the rule anyway. Tells you everything about a persons driving experience if they are on a phone behind the wheel and I have no doubt they passed their test by the skin of their teeth.

[@Kraftwerker1]

Great video, Ash. I can't believe how many people ignore that one-way street! How many times have we seen it in your videos now??

[@brantnuttall]

7:51. I totally agree. Especially when you know that hands free kits are widely available.

[@JGrindel]

I even see people in new cars using their phones while driving... even BMW, Merc, Audi etc which we all know have bluetooth from factory... just lazy isnt it!

[@shawty1984]

You can guarantee that a 20 reg merc van has Bluetooth as standard. In my eyes, those are the most dangerous drivers, the technology is there, they just don't care.

[@letter1014]

@@shawty1984 accidental rhyme

[@grahambonner508]

I don't even use the hands free now, I realised it also took my attention from the task in hand. Calls are rarely that urgent that they can't wait.

[@brantnuttall]

@@grahambonner508 Good man!

[@Boost00130]

Speaking of catching phone users on dashcam. Do you report them to the police? If not, why not? CyclingMikey does and get great results. I also think anyone who jumps a red light should get a 6 month ban automatically.

[@RichO1701e]

cyclingmikey is a bellend, and doesn't have to worry about his business being hurt bcos he's an anonymous cyclist. Ash has a driving school business with his name on it, so, a), he doesn't have time to report every incident, and b), his business might suffer reprisals if he were known to report people to the fuzz. Just not worth it. That being said, if anything was caught on camera that involved a collision or RTC, I'm sure he'd pass on any relevant footage

[@stendecstretcher5678]

@@RichO1701e You're the bell end.

[@Sudgen]

i don't know about this specifically, but in a deluded viewer video ashley explained he didnt want to report people, but instead educate them, but of course thats a completely different scenario

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@RichO1701e I wouldn't call CyclingMikey a bellend, he's certainly single-minded and committed, and I wouldn't get myself into the lather he does, but I do agree that Ash would be vulnerable to reprisals should he report everything he sees, as well as having time constraints. We can all play a part though by submitting video clips of the dangerous driving we see to the police where they have that facility.

[@ganrimmonim]

I agree with you on the mobile phones, using them while driving is so so dangerous even hands free is bad enough. But handheld so be an instant three month ban. Everybody now knows the rules, and it's so risky for you the driver but so much more so for cyclists and people on foot. No phone call is worth the risk.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Even though I have been driving for 30 years, personally and commercial (I drove 3.5 and 7.5 tonners for many years), I still learn from and enjoy your content. There are some extremely poor drivers on the roads these days, seems like more than ever. I drive defensively, for example, give the space to the idiot cutting up the roundabout or lane. It's surprising how easy it is to prevent problems just by lifting you right foot. Great work!

[@AwoudeX]

If it's surprising to you after 30 years of driving, why is it no surprise at all for me after only driving about 2 years now?

[@wirdy1]

Going back 35 yrs when I was learning, I wish I'd had an instructor like Ashley. All I got was bog-standard that got me through the test, 1st time 😏I've had to learn on-the-job to get the insight he offers to his students.

[@williamfence566]

Noted that traffic lights are now just different pretty colours. Got it! I drive a truck on late evening / nights and regularly slow at green traffic lights expecting the car to come through at red. Sad isn't it.

[@phil3038]

Your certainly putting him through his paces. Night time in the rain at some difficult junction and he did very well. I passed my driving test but i remember my lessons and the test seemed so easy. I knew the roads and never had to drive at night or in bad weather When I got into my own car on my own, at nigh in the rain, driving on unfamiliar roads to visit my brother , I quickly realised how inexperienced and nervous I was. Think the driving test around include q night time element

[@cactusbase3088]

Clip 14 Brake happy. I can't believe someone would be actively using their brakes so often. I would suspect that there is rather an issue with a short circuit or some other electrical issue causing this.

[@MrManningata]

It's probably a car with one pedal driving - lift off the gas, regeneration comes on as do the brakes. The car isn't designed for those people who stamp on the accelerator, then cruise for a few seconds.

[@DomFishingUK]

Dont know if its the new knobhead trend, but whats grinding my gears at the minute is the indicate to pull over, move to the side of the road and travel the same speed for 60 yards before stopping manuver.

[@graememckay9972]

A traffic cop explained comfort braking to me. People feel the need to brake to feel in control and comfortable. They aren't effecting the vehicle speed or handling in any way. It's purely to make them feel in control.

[@AwoudeX]

i can't understand the concept. If i brake i feel i need to to keep it safe and/or not bouncing around in my car as if it's a F1 race car on a track. For anything else i'd just let go of the gas pedal enough to slow down a bit. Braking is only done when i need to slow down a significant amount in a short time. If i want, i can get home from work without touching the brake pedal once. Wouldn't be wanting to drive behind me though as i'd slow down way too early for comfort for most people.

[@izawalendowicz8105]

I passed my test today with 1 minor. Thanks so much for the help!

[@ashley_neal]

Great job!

[@sparkycalledmarky]

Agree on the ban for phones. Regarding the van hitting the fence: it may have done, may have bounced on the kerb instead. The dents on the back don't say much when its rear bumper is missing.

[@Near2Future]

Clip number 7, great awareness from that learner. Seaking and reconizing that fast. Going to be a good driver!

[@beardyface8492]

For mobile phones, confiscate & destroy the handset on the spot would probably be nearly as effective. Combined with a ban on having a mobile phone for a period of time it might even be more effective than a driving ban.

[@richiewagstaff2156]

Yeah I’ve always said similar. The police should have padded envelopes ready to go; pop the phone in directly and it’s shipped to a depot about 4hrs away. Will be available for collection in a week. Recycled in a month. No direct fine, just enough hassle for it to be a true deterrent. ..Maybe they should put the car keys in that envelope too!!

[@David-sw2fn]

I’d be tempted to make employers vicariously liable for traffic penalties, possibly with the potential for an unlimited fine in the most serious cases. Often this sort of incident involves white vans dashing about recklessly. Employers, or self employed people, need to be told, quite clearly, that the consequences of breaking the rules are far more serious than the cost of a few minutes extra on a journey, or the cost of investing in safe technology for staff out and about at work. We can’t impose a safety culture on these companies from above, but we can give them a lot of incentives not to behave badly.

[@tgk300xx4]

You can't do that and there is no need to. Reality is that law would never be passd so thankfully we don't have to worry about such a ridiculously poorly thought out plan being implemented.

[@tgk300xx4]

@@richiewagstaff2156 What, you must be having a laugh surely? The police do not and should not have the right to confiscate phones, let alone keys. Keeping people mobile phones and car keys is a joke of an idea. Reality is, using a phone while driving isn't a big deal and we have bigger issues on our roads like cyclists and slow drivers.

[@David-sw2fn]

@@tgk300xx4 There is a large body of evidence that mobile phone use is a significant source of distraction and that this results in car accidents and, ultimately, fatalities. Drivers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those not using a phone (due to cognitive distraction). A person may believe this does not affect their driving, but the evidence is pretty clear.

[@ibs5080]

Clip #6: The other cars was: 1. Illegally parked with two wheels up on the pavement. Yes others were also parked the same way. Still doesn't make it legal 2. Illegally parked facing the wrong way at night 3. Misuse of flashing headlights Considering all the above, not much of a defence for the other car to get angry at you for not letting it out.

[@stanneyfield]

The road past Fazakerley hospital really needs resurfacing!!!

[@xicex9851]

I 100% agree with you on the 3 month ban idea if on your phone behind the wheel. There are so many people doing it. I never see anyone driving on the phone driving safely.

[@mikemonkeyz]

5:58 Clip 8. That roundabout is a staple to your channel Ash! Think of the content provided by that one roundabout!

[@r390gt1lm]

the black ford is driving automatic with left foot on the brake pedal, I used to do that when I first drove an automatic, you dont even feel it, but its enough to light up the brakelights

[@grahambonner508]

Regarding mobile phone use, I completely agree. Clip 14, makes me wonder if the brake light switch is loose, broken or not correctly adjusted, although I have known people drive with the left foot over the brake pedal!

[@Adam-so3hy]

Always love these videos every month

[@davidrumming4734]

That’s my week right there lol. Brake happy…stuck behind a driver doing that on my way to work. My solution is to slow a bit and leave a bigger gap so I don’t have to keep matching their move. People on housing estates cutting bends or corners…see that one a lot. Sometimes got to stop. And leave junctions clear.

[@grahamnutt8958]

I'm shaking my head at most of these for various reasons.... I will only comment about three of the featured clips:- A) Pedestrian was oblivious so a timely use of the horn was 💯 B) Mobile Phone use is definitely one of my pet hates. Inclined to agree that a ban should be the result as a £200 fine + 6 points just doesn't seem to be enough of a deterrent. C) The "brake happy" motorist is borderline moronic. A complete opposite to something I had the pleasure to experience 35 years ago...... Long story short..... 25+miles of exuberant driving on a rural road where the driver only used the brakes twice.... think he was showing off slightly but no argument - in full control with a relatively low risk as the traffic was very light; visibility good and dry road conditions. Stay safe everyone 👍

[@granddadmark7639]

Loved the housing estate example 👌 its a daily occurrence where I live 🤦‍♂️

[@demishellen]

Clip 14 it a term I will lend called “Disco Brakes" more effective at night. We have quite a few of these people in the north 🙂

[@geetee4037]

Spot on with your comment about mobile phone use. I wonder if brake happy driver was on his phone?

[@neilgrundy]

When I was learning to drive, in the early eighties, there was nowhere near the volume of traffic nor the amount of impatience that you see today. For that reason, I've decided to book a refresher course. I feel my defensive driving and hazard perception skills could use an upgrade.

[@martincook3201]

I've never understood the 'Don't ban me as I need to be able to drive' argument. Why hold someone who drives dangerously but only every now and again to a higher standard than someone who drives dangerously and regularly?

[@PedroConejo1939]

I've never understood why the term 'You should have thought of that at the time' isn't enshrined in law.

[@shaunburrelli9422]

Another good informative upload Ashley, keep up with the good work.

[@ShaneDGri]

The driver in clip 14 was sending out a distress signal. Intelligent use of the the footbreak to send a message in moorse code.

[@Jonc25]

Clip 6. I think they misread the the gap as being a tell for letting them out. And when you didn't they decided to blind you more than they already were. 🤬

[@KarlVaughan]

I think the person braking a lot was trying to send a message in morse code. I believe it said, "I'm a crap driver!"

[@tractorman5720]

I often find those who are brake happy are using their phone in some way. Every time they look up they brake for some reason.

[@JohnR31415]

There is one phone exemption… calling 999. Used that about a month after the legislation came in… but not again since

[@peterburnett1661]

Brake happy was “Driving using left foot on brake and right on throttle. 40 years ago my boss in a BMW did the same thing. 4 sets of pads every service and less then 20 mpg. If it snowed he spun off.

[@Tillyard86]

I've almost considered getting a dashcam because I've had a lot of times in the last few weeks where I've noticed stuff and thought "wow I wish I had recorded that". Like the other night, I saw a car in front of me at a set of lights stopped on the crossing area. Then when the lights changed they mounded the curb as they went round a bend and a bit further down the road they moved into a lane meant for a right-hand turn and just kept going past the turning onto a part marked with diagonal hatching. They didn't look drunk from the way they were driving, I couldn't see if they were on their phone because I was behind them, but that would be my guess.

[@PedroConejo1939]

The real reason for getting a dashcam should be to protect yourself from a lying scumbag and their lying scumbag 'witnesses' in the event of an accident that was not your fault, or to offer that service to someone else suffering the same circumstance.

[@CristiNeagu]

9:28 Had an instructor that had a thing against "comfort braking", which is when people just rest their foot on the brake pedal without actually braking. I see it all the time. There is a slight downhill section on a road I drive on almost every day, and there are loads of people that go down it with their foot on the brake. Meanwhile, I am behind them, engine braking, slowing down at the same rate.

[@stevesales4263]

Interesting. In my career as a bus driving instructor, covering the brakes was an important part of the training. The right foot should be where it is most likely to be needed, which in so many situations is being prepared to slow down or stop. A foot in the correct place makes for much smoother, more controlled braking and also leads to improving awareness and anticipation. Also, the expression was, "gears for going, brakes for stopping". Using the gearbox to help maintain a lower speed is good, in a large vehicle it can be very important, but using the gearbox to slow down is not. Modern vehicles have no need to use the engine and gearbox to slow down. Driving as I describe and block changes were included in the test in the late 80's, early 90's. I remember training a know it all ex-van driver who demanded a test report after he failed. His test was in a crashbox, (no synchromesh) double deck bus approaching a downhill T junction where he had to give way. The examiners report stated, " The driver attempted to engage a lower gear to slow the vehicle. After gaining speed alarmingly he eventually, by brute force, managed to engage 2nd gear with a horrendous crashing and grinding". Typical of that drivers gung ho attitude and highlighting the dangers of inappropriately using the gearbox to try to slow down.

[@CristiNeagu]

@@stevesales4263 _"covering the brakes was an important part of the training"_ I'm not talking about covering the brakes. I'm talking about pressing the brake pedal without slowing down. The course I was on was with two instructors in two cars, and the instructor behind would notify the one in front if the brake lights were lighting up but the vehicle was not slowing down. _"Using the gearbox to help maintain a lower speed is good, in a large vehicle it can be very important, but using the gearbox to slow down is not. Modern vehicles have no need to use the engine and gearbox to slow down."_ I am not going to comment on large vehicles as I have never driven anything larger than a Range Rover. But while you don't *need* to engine brake, it helps a lot. Going down hills, for example. It also depends on what you mean by "engine braking". I use it to mean any time when the engine is used to decelerate the car. Highway Code rule 122 even discourages coasting, meaning that engine braking should be used at all times when slowing down. And I consider that using higher gears to slow down is an important skill, especially in the wet or on ice, but one must know the car they're driving. Manual transmission vehicles will always perform better in this regard than automatic transmissions. I do agree that the instructors do use the expression "gears for going, brakes for stopping", but as far as I can tell (other than in particular cases where you must not engine brake, as in the case you described) it seems to me that this expression is used in order to simplify things for students, so they don't get confused with advanced clutch work. I feel that this is doing a disservice to students by not teaching them a technique that could save their lives one day.

[@stevesales4263]

@@CristiNeagu There is actually less control using the engine to slow down and if needed, shows the wrong gear was engaged in the 1st place. Also, driving in snow a higher gear gives greater control. Observe, what is happening around you. Anticipate, what hazards are developing and what hazards are present. Act. Adjust speed and position as necessary Before the hazard which means that on entering a hazard, be it a hill, bend, pedestrian or whatever, the speed, position and mechanical stability are all in place.

[@CristiNeagu]

@@stevesales4263 _"There is actually less control using the engine to slow down"_ I have never experienced this. Can you elaborate? As far as I can tell, using the engine to slow down allows for better brake modulation and less brake pressure, reducing the changes of wheels locking up. _"if needed, shows the wrong gear was engaged in the 1st place"_ I disagree with this. I may be in 6th approaching a long descent, but then I'll shift to 4th to maintain speed down the hill. It doesn't mean I should have been in 4th while approaching the hill. _"Also, driving in snow a higher gear gives greater control"_ Not when slowing down, it doesn't, as the engine will reach idle and it will start fighting against the brakes.

[@stevesales4263]

@@CristiNeagu On normal vehicles the brakes act on 4 wheels not 2 and they are more responsive to light/heavier pressure. Engine braking is on or off and unless 4 wheel drive, acts on only 2 wheels. You should be at the appropriate speed and most suitable gear before reaching the hazard. The most dangerous action to take on a slippery surface is an unnecessary badly anticipated gear change. If you needed 4th gear on a dodgy surface, it should have been engaged before the hazard. The same applies if the engine is pushing against the brakes, wrong gear. It all boils down to awareness and anticipation. As a brief background, I was one of the 1st PSV instructors to gain the national qualification, the 1st to score 100% in the theory aspects, excellent in tuition and driving skills. All road aspects taken in a crashbox manual double decker with vacuum brakes and no power steering. I also passed my IAM qualification in the same vehicle and have attended many practical and theoretical courses over the last 45 years. The only real differences between driving a bus and car are size and the importance of smooth driving which relies on observation, awareness and anticipation.

[@Jimages_uk]

I suspect clip 14 is a driver of an automatic with their left foot resting on the brake pedal, there doesn't appear to be any slowing down for most of the braking. I could be wrong, but I have seen it so many times now, where the lights keep coming on, and there is no discernable change in speed.

[@paulbolus9399]

I so agree about the phones. One day I was standing on a sidewalk in the city and watching cars drive by, out of the 6 cars 4 where on their phone.

[@cabincontrol]

Totally agree with the 3 month ban. People need to see consequences for their actions. There's a great channel Cycling Mikey. He catches so many drivers using their phones. Unfortunately, a £300 fine and 6 points on their license doesn't seem enough to stop people. Whenever I watch your videos (and others like it) I like to play a game. I call out "license" when the person is using their phone, blatently running reds or treating the road like their own personal race track. This means you lose your license and can never drive again. You car also gets destroyed in front of you. I call out "Test" for those who would need to take 30 hours of lessons and their test, before being allowed to drive again, and "Jail" if the person deserves jail time. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Good thing I'm not in charge

[@will4may175]

True on the £600 fine and 3 points, as there's a lot of drivers that have even up to 50 points yet are still allowed to drive it's insane.

[@paulstevens9409]

Please don't advertise cycling mikey, hes a cycle nazi, that man has issues. All the people he catch are stuck in traffic.

[@cabincontrol]

@@paulstevens9409 he has issues... With motorists breaking the law and driving dangerously. Being stuck in traffic is no excuse to drive dangerously and put others lives at risk.

[@will4may175]

@@paulstevens9409 He's not targeting people stuck in traffic he's targeting those breaking the law making it dangerous for everyone else, and only those that break the law using phones and driving dangerous are complaining about him. Gov cutbacks to the police force are why more and more idiots are driving on their phones because no one is catching them.

[@bellerophonchallen8861]

Question; On Sunday I went into the local town, about 6 miles. When I went through the next village four (yes four) coppers were setting up a speed trap by the old railway station. When I came back through an hour later, I slowed to 26mph at the 30 sign, to the annoyance of a BMW, who proceeded to sit so close behind me his headlights were below my boot. We drove past the school, the pub, up the hill under the trees, past the college entrance, all the while with him inches from my rear. When we hit the straight towards the old station, he swerved out, overtook me by going round the centre bollards marking the entrance to the college gardens, and promptly got nicked. Now the question is this;, was he a professional BMW driver or a trainee BMW driver?

[@PedroConejo1939]

He was a 3rd Dan Blackbelt BMW driver by the sound of it.

[@bellerophonchallen8861]

@@PedroConejo1939 haha, a Sensei BMW driver! Those sort of movements in the dojo would have got him an ippon, or full point. But the police probably gave him six points so even better.

[@Concorde007_]

#14 Doing a right-foot only hokey cokey there. At that rate it'll be new pads and discs every thousand miles. Wonder if they wear out their right shoe fast too?

[@So-Flo]

As I expect you probably know by now many EVs and hybrids apply the brake lights when applying sufficient level of regerative braking. This may not necessarily be any more braking effort than an internal combustion engine would apply to a moving vehicle in gear. So in a situation like this what you may be witnessing is in fact eratic accelerator pedal use.

[@steviebarrett]

I actually saw a great dash cam video the other day where the camer noticed the car in front was all over the place, so they grew the distance between them and when the car in front inevitably caused an accident further down the road, the camer was able to safely drive past the incident after the fact and carry on with their journey. Unlike most dash cam vids where people pile into an incident with their horns blazing.

[@roadsafegb8740]

14:07 I'd be tempted to leave a note through the letterbox, asking them to paint the fence as they're lowering the tone of the neighborhood 😁

[@neilholmes8200]

11:15 That happens all the time near where I live, usually they get away with it, but one time karma struck and a police car saw pulled them over for a little chat

[@PedroConejo1939]

Van drivers on the phone - I'm sure it's because they are so visible but there's a never-ending supply of them. I like the 'instant 3 month ban suggestion, no hardship plea' idea, and the submission from dashcam for a conviction. I know our local force invites submissions and does prosecute dangerous driving from dashcams but I'm not sure about mobile use captured on video.

[@GilesWendes]

Absolutely agree with 7:51. See countless people every day. They usually respond with massive apologies, or instant aggression. I just report everything to the Met Police and they usually get an FPN.

[@kenbrown2808]

regarding clip 3: remember that as high as the puddle splashes outside your car, it is also splashing inside the engine compartment.

[@marklittler784]

#5 BMW Not so easy to move over when you've a big vehicle on your tail lights, not so easy to see what's going on behind especially on bends, there's always the risk they might suddenly undertake without warning, when they're so close.

[@adamshax7752]

The issue with using dash cam evidence to report phone use is in certain situations where you need to use the phone while driving. Although it's rare it's still needed to call emergency services sometimes. Had it when I was van driving. Report to the company from a member of the public. (Vans had cameras all over) Called into the office. Explained the situation. Somebody had hit the van and was attempting to drive off. I was on the phone with the police to get the situation sorted.

[@piciu256]

10:05 I've seen a car like that once, at least to this level, I wonder if it's not some sort of active cruise control or something, I just cannot imagine someone thouchibg their brake pedal every 2 seconds.

[@kenbrown2808]

I know of a truck that has an automatic transmission retarder that will actively fight with the cruise throttle. if they are both on, it will be constantly activating the throttle and retarder to micromanage the speed.

[@deeznoots6241]

Just earlier today my mum was driving in an industrial estate and a car in front almost reversed right into us despite having presumably working eyes and a rearview camera while we were completely stopped. The state of some drivers

[@Xenro66]

6:34 Accidental dolly-zoom! :D 9:31 Heading home today, my Ma was driving (I can't drive a car, only motorcycles lol), and we had one of these numpties. Brake brake brake, brake going around wide bends, brake going *up a hill,* even braking and swerving "out of the way" of oncomming traffic in a Toyota Yaris on a fairly wide, 100km/h rural road. Some people lack so much confidence in driving that it's almost paradoxical that they're putting themselves and more people in danger by being way more unpredictable and skittish on the road.

[@creepbg]

Did we encounter the same tosser? Were they also braking 3 car lenghts away from every give way line and swerving to avoid cars waiting in the side roads too?

[@Xenro66]

@@creepbg Unlikely, but my head canon wants to believe it was the same person lol

[@marklittler784]

#11 Van overtaking cycle on bend, the van driver has a more higher commanding view of the road ahead, thus if you can see its clear you can overtake on a bend.

[@lesliedavison752]

AND if the van has the momentum do the overtake quickly

[@bmused55]

I agree with you on an instant ban if caught using a phone while driving. I would expand on that and say that If caught a second time, a life time driving ban should be given. Harsh? Maybe, but if the first punishment didn't change you, nothing will. So you should lose the privilege of driving before you deprive someone the privilege of health or life.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

I do not really understand singling out phone use... whilst yes, the issue is easy to fix via a handsfree devices, I do not feel it is even in the top-5 most dangerous things people do whilst driving. tailgating, skipping red lights, overtaking on a roundabout (like that guy in the van was also doing) overtaking a standing bus, overtaking using head-on traffic lane on a winding road, all these things are waaay more dangerous.. I mean, yes, a mobile reduces concentration levels (and I do not mean it's a good thing), but, it does not automatically damage the traffic flow as much as any of multiple other types of aggressive driving styles does. albeit, often enough, thesame people who use a phone when driving, drive with aggression towards other road users.

[@bmused55]

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 The topic was on phone users. So I focused on that. I would be equally harsh to many if not all you mention. I just kept my comment succinct.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@bmused55 I am more about the Ashe's choice of what to single out and what not to so much...

[@samboi18]

Ashley, clip no.2, if you seen a build up of traffic as red light is on but seen lane 2 clear like the van did and the keep clear was clear would you attempt to do the same if safe enough to do so, for example you knew the lights have just changed to red ?

[@neiltill7414]

I totally agree with your stance on mobile phones. I know I've sent you a clip of when someone allegedly was on a mobile phone and what can happen, I won't spoil it for anyone but it's a corcker. But it really scares me when I see people in HGV'S on there phones.

[@martinholmes1493]

Hope you have put Callum forward for his test? seems pretty well competent and anticipated and reacted well, even before being prompted.

[@ashley_neal]

Callum has passed!

[@martinholmes1493]

@@ashley_neal Take a bow Ashley, you obviously did a good job :)

[@ashley_neal]

So did Callum!

[@loremipsum2559]

Agree with the 3 month ban for mobile phone use. The amount of delivery drivers in company vans I see using theirs is crazy

[@gs188]

I think quite a few cases of heavy use of the brake lights without slowing down much in modern cars is done by the car rather than the driver, though how keen the systems are depends on the car brand and how much driver ‘aids’ it has. - Many cruse controls will apply the brakes going down hill to maintain speed, often leaving the brake lights on constantly when descending even moderate hills despite not actually slowing down. - Radar cruse controls, especially when set to minimum distance may be quite brake happy if the car in front does not keep a constant speed. - Some makes leave the brake lights on when stationary on an auto brake hold function, some don’t even turn them off if you then apply the parking brake. Sadly thanks in part to automation most people no longer seem to be aware of how the lights on their cars function or on correct/polite use of them, they just assume the car handles all that for them which often it doesn’t - I suspect this issue with steadily continue to get worse unfortunately so perhaps that’s a good topic for a future video.

[@robc5955]

Definitely see an increase in phone use which is odd when every car/van made within the last 5 years has at least Bluetooth, and it’s usually those offending.

[@cormacobrien2729]

9:31 I think he just had his hazard lights on!

[@georgeytay1]

Possibly the brake happy Ford was using adaptive cruise control?

[@marklittler784]

#6 Wrong side of the road on the pavement at night stationery with headlights on facing oncoming traffic, the indicator would be easier to see without the headlamps on.Surprised you didn't let it out "slow queuing traffic ! "

[@radishpea6615]

I'd go as far as asking Ash why he did not let the car out? There my have been nothing behind him or something approaching at speed or even an Artic behind him but without knowing, it smacks a bit of me first.

[@jakerockznoodles]

#14 - I love how quickly you decide that you need to keep waaaay back from the brake happy eejit 😂. Do you think they even recognise how stupid and bizarre this behaviour is?

[@Andrew-tj4kg]

It looks like a lose or faulty switch on his brake pedal. going over the bumps further down the straight road seems to be setting it off.. Happened to me once .

[@ShaneDGri]

@@Andrew-tj4kg or they have very poor foot position at Break/ Accelerator. Wider shoes/ boots require you actually move your feet not just pivot at the heel.

[@d1oftwins]

@@ShaneDGri Or what could also be more often seen in the future, if you are driving an EV and you start regenerative braking by letting off the go pedal and thus the brake lights turn automatically on. Since regen baking of an EV can be more severe than that the engine braking of an ICEV turning on the brake light is a must, but then again, it would be just the same lack of control with one pedal driving as with constant brake/gas arrhythmia.

[@salvadormaduro587]

@@ShaneDGri I actually knew a guy that did exactly as you have described, but he didn’t realise he was touching the brake pedal as he was accelerating until someone he knew was following him and told him what they saw.

[@fatbikemontage2931]

The brake happy Ford, looks to me like a driver in an auto riding the brake pedal with their left foot. Nice little earner for the Ford garage in discs and pads!

[@johnthebomb06]

I didn't realise what was wrong with clip 16 until I saw the white marking on the road LOL

[@ernestbywater411]

regarding the clip comment on the use of a mobile phone while driving. I doubt a restriction on their use of a vehicle will have much effect, but take away their phone and lock it up for 3 months will make them pay attention.

[@misstangshan95]

What happened at 12:48? Why was it wrong for the bus to move out when you were miles away from it? Surely the one at fault is the person holding up proceedings by waiting in the middle of the road when they could have went?

[@WaldoBC]

The brake-happy Ford at 9:47, I wonder if they drive with 2 feet (1 on the gas and 1 on the brake)?