Nice Driving #31 | The Opposite of Target Fixation

[@nelftm]

The women and kids crossing at 8:14 is my clip. Even though she holds back for me after the 2 kids have crossed, the only thought in my mind is "I'm not going anywhere until everyone is safely across - I have no control of what anyone behind me does."

[@davem9204]

The woman didn't really deal with that well by sending the kids running ahead across the road in a risky location. It also sets the kids a bad example in how to cross a road safely. Years ago I used to sometimes help the teachers escort the kids from the primary school (when my kids were there) when they were walking to some event locally. I often had to get the teachers to get them to cross somewhere else as they often picked a poor location to cross where they couldn't clearly see what was coming, nor could any drivers see them. They just assumed as all the kids had hi-vis on they would be universally visible. You did well to keep them safe, but as you suggest stopping around a bend like that might have that risk on someone behind not ready to wait behind you.

[@stevenrix7024]

@@davem9204 Not sure of distance with these dash cam clips, but I thought the cammer could have stopped closer to the pedestrians in order to allow more room for following vehicles to see the situation and stop as well.

[@nelftm]

@@davem9204 I'd rather have some boy racer rear end my car than plough into the pedestrians - it's a company car anyway, so no loss to me! 😁

[@davem9204]

@@stevenrix7024 The lenses of these cameras can distort distance and speed quite a lot, so tricky to tell. Good point though.

[@davem9204]

@@nelftm I was thinking more about a car, or more likely a motorbike, overtaking you and ploughing into them. Your company might downgrade you to something terrible if you get into crashes though! :)

[@ExtantThylacine]

It's such a far cry from what you see on all those dash cam channels, where everyone accelerates into the risk. This is exactly why I only submit my videos to Ashley.

[@PedroConejo1939]

I used to watch one particular UK dashcam channel assiduously but recently got so bored of the persistent idiocy that I unsubscribed. It was just the same stupid mistakes over and again: roundabouts as race tracks; over the middle of mini-roundabouts; keep pedal to the metal when someone very visibly pulls out in front; not giving room to HGVs and buses; etc, etc. To make things worse, there are always plenty of people justifying being absolute weapons in the comments. I work with deeply irritating scrotes with challenging behaviour; I don't need it in my free time as well. It is possible I have developed compassion fatigue.

[@ibs5080]

At around 0:26 I was almost expecting another motorist to overtake our thoughtful cammer in the mistaken belief they were parking. Whenever I'm in a similar situation I will often switch on my right signal as I wait in order to reduce the chance of a misunderstanding.

[@J.L.K]

Thats a great point, will definitely add that to my driving in the future.

[@fatchris101]

Could easily apply that logic to people who get impatient with cyclists too. “Its not your space you just got to wait for it”

[@youknow6968]

Excellent point.

[@mickman0073]

Something Crikey Mikey and JV should learn to do.

[@iainamurray]

@@mickman0073 That doesn’t make any sense.

[@mickman0073]

@@iainamurray Did you watch the recent video uploaded by Ashley showing Cyclists not waiting and invading drivers spaces ie pulling in front of a moving vehicle without checking around themselves, it's down to the motorist to try to avoid collisions.. Lycra lout cyclists being some of the worst offenders usually with an entitled attitude which can get them killed..

[@iainamurray]

@@mickman0073 You mean drivers have to wait to overtake safely? What does that have to do with the OP?

[@ibs5080]

At around 3:05, kudos to our cammer for their patience waiting behind the stalled learner. Also kudos to the learner once they got going again re they took a good line turning the corner without cutting it. Many "experienced" drivers would have cut it.

[@nowillnoway]

Why thank you...been there, done that, we all learned at some point or another! You're also bang on the observation that many drivers cut that corner.

[@ibs5080]

@@nowillnoway I'm quite "religious" about not cutting corners when turning right. I'm sure other drivers must be thinking I'm a new driver who's still emulating what they learned & hasn't yet had time to fall into the usual bad habits. Truth be told, I passed my test in 1978.

[@horrortackleharry]

1:20 If a dented car gives us a clue to poor driving- so does that monstrosity.

[@jacob1121]

Always look out for the boy racers.

[@khalidacosta7133]

@@jacob1121 No need. You can hear them a mile off.

[@cupofcustard]

Glad I'm not the only one 😂 what an atrocious spoiler

[@robertwillis4061]

1.20. The problem with giving way to him , even though you had priority, is that it will become normal to the other driver for people to ' give way ' to him. This precedent is dangerous to other drivers with less forward observation

[@olibob295]

@@Chambers36TheEnter MOT expired 2019

[@grimsbyhackney479]

4:52. I felt that the driver, on the A617 junction for Chesterfield, did well but I don't understand why he needed to be driving so fast on the roundabout, bearing in mind that unnecessary speed reduces the time you have to correct other peoples mistakes.

[@iamjoestafford]

3:10 This is my clip! I always tend to hold back and watch in these instances at roundabouts, especially when the car in the other lane is an Audi or a BMW - even if it means slowing down a bit, I never think 'this is my right of way' and carry on regardless in case the other driver changes lanes without looking like this. It has saved me from having accidents on a number of occasions!

[@ibs5080]

At around 8:09 re the "greatful jog". I know of a couple where the wife is Canadian and husband is British. Whenever they visit Canada, the husband still has this habit of jogging across the road when a car patiently waits for them. The wife just walks across at a normal pace and when she catches up with her British husband, asks him jokingly "Are you in some kind of a hurry dear?" I've noticed pedestrians in North America cross in front of waiting vehicles at a leisurely pace, often with their latte in hand and looking very nonchalant.

[@R04drunner1]

Lovely series of clips to watch. Great techniques demonstrated. It's a good idea on shortened slip roads (especially in town) to hold back a little and only to accelerate to the merge point once you can actually see it. Far better than charging blindly into a road that will end soon, only to have to slam on the anchors and wait for an even longer gap to show up! Of course, it helps if your car is capable of decent acceleration - the kind that Ashley seems to favour driving, and for good reason. 😊

[@goodyeoman4534]

The looking-ahead tip is so underrated imo. When you plan in advance it can get you out of loads of tight spots and just make your overall drive more relaxed. However, the cars behind you don't always see it that way, which is why you'll get aggressive drivers giving you a hard time when you've slowed down for a hazard or pulled in for a cyclist to pass or whatever.

[@ibs5080]

I can totally relate to that.

[@frogsplorer]

At 1:25 when growing the space for the ambulance they keep creeping which communicates to the cars behind that they want to progress and are not just stopping. Perfect

[@smilerbob]

The sliproad clip at 6:54 is something I have to do all the time with a short sliproad (footage coming your way soon Ashley) and quite often I am actually stopped at the start of the sliproad The majority of drivers understand the situation however there are a few that get impatient, usually with a Hackney Carriage player on the rear of the vehicle. There have also been times when I have seen a slower vehicle in front already on the sliproad so I increase the gap between me and that vehicle so I then have acceleration space when needed. Many just follow and get into trouble when they can’t actually merge 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@christopherl1864]

It's another one of those situations where doing the right thing ends up with its own challenges. Still, I would prefer to keep the problems at the start of the slip road than at the end!

[@smilerbob]

@@christopherl1864 100% and it is easier to control things at the start of a sliproad rather than hope others will help you at the end

[@ShaimingLong]

​@@smilerbobThere's a terrible slip road near one of my clients. The motorway is raised up with high walls to dampen noise for local residents, so it's more of an on ramp. The catch is, you're completely blind to the state of the motorway for 90% of the slip road and it's only the last, maybe, 70 meters can you see other traffic which doesn't give you much time to react and adjust, especially if you have someone close behind. The problems are always at the end of the slip road on that one, and I've had far too many close calls for my liking.

[@LastOnSunday]

The length of slip roads varies considerably. The short ones can be especially hard to navigate at busy times, with cars trying to get up to speed before joining & traffic on the main carriageway, unable to ease entry.

[@ChrisBrown-px1oy]

Thanks Ashley, it's great to see more people sharing their own good practice so thanks to them too. The clip at 3:11 is such a perfect demonstration, it's as though the two drivers set it up for a public information film. Perhaps to contrast with that at 4:51. Your viewer on the slip road at 6:58, likewise. A lot of hairy merges get on to dashcam channels despite the merging drivers appreciating that they are responsible for adjusting their speed to the traffic they're joining, when no-one in the nearest lane or two makes enough space. This one observed the space available well before the merge point (and accommodated the conditions) and reasoned that it was better to adjust the timing of the merge. Top work. At 8:45 where the bin lorry is across your viewer's route, obviously they needed to wait further back, as a bin lorry is not going to clear quickly. The new hazard then is that someone just sees a car stopped and sails past into the awkward zone - as shown in your Learning Point 410 three months ago.

[@iamjoestafford]

The clip at 3:11 was sent in by me - I'm stupidly happy after reading your comment 😆

[@ChrisBrown-px1oy]

@@iamjoestafford Well done!

[@waldolemmer]

I've watched many of your videos, but this one made me realize that my driving still has a lot of room for improvement

[@Teguvas]

Hello, Watched a few of your vids recently and I like the channel. As an advanced driver with many refreshers I believe the greatest thing that opened my eyes to driving was doing a commentary. This forces you to observe all around and further ahead for developing situations. I wouldn't get novices to do this when they are still learning how to control the car but for people closer to their test.

[@idonotwantahandle2]

Anyone can have an off day but some people just don't have the awareness and skills. Nice to see switched on people showing how situations are sorted easily and are non-events.

[@rutube007]

If DVSA are serious about new rule then they should put zebra on all round about 'junctions' to remove ambiguity. At least start with big ones...

[@grimsbyhackney479]

Excellent comment. I couldn't agree more.

[@ChrisBrown-px1oy]

That's not the DVSA's call. However, there's nothing to stop anyone who is serious about their own good driving from effectively doing it for ourselves. In daylight and under most streetlighting now, it's not much harder to spot a pedestrian clearly waiting to cross than a Belisha beacon, or the dropped kerbs and paving setting them up to cross. Ashley's viewer @smilerbob dedicated an excellent recent video to this.

[@JohnCarlyle]

AND a little further back from the roundabout itself.

[@mickman0073]

Where would they find the money to do that? They can't even afford to keep the Tarmac in good shape..

[@smilerbob]

I agree that having a physical marked crossing would make the changes easier for everyone to understand even though by not rushing around a roundabout it is already possible and easy to do. Too many are in a rush to wait in the next queue…maybe to check Facebook, catch up on the news or maybe to see what time everyone is meeting for the night out…all things that can wait Unfortunately there was no direct coverage from the DVSA about the changes and even the media outlets had different interpretations of the changes based upon their own agenda (not for this discussion). I have heard a recent advert on the radio that tries to explain the change but even that isn’t good as it sounds like a supermarket advert for the most part rather than a driving PSA. As with all things, safety is paramount and if you already drive with safety in mind (including managing those behind) then there really is no reason not to stop…but careful on the multilane roundabouts. You can’t manage those in other lanes 👍 (Saturday lunchtime rant over)

[@draconicdusk5911]

9:20 props to the driver in the white car further back for holding at the correct spot!

[@robg521]

7:09. Excellent, they are thinking about the available gap in the other traffic, and how much distance they are required to accelerate to be able match the speed required fit into that gap. Really well done.

[@ibs5080]

At around 8:30, I'm not sure if there was any viable alternative but having a crossing point for pedestrians just around a blind corner off a relatively high speed road probably isn't the best arrangement. It does at least illustrate the principle of "Stop within the distance you can see to be clear".

[@JdeBP]

This is the junction of Burn Lane and Middridge Road in Newton Aycliffe and Bing Maps shows that it's not really a blind corner (just overgrown in that clip) and the footpath crosses Burn Lane several car lengths from the junction. The mad part is that the 30mph zone doesn't start until well onto Burn Lane, _after_ the footpath crossing, probably for reasons having to do with how the land was zoned when it was developed decades ago, in turn no doubt down to who owned what farmland over the centuries and thus what the legal status of that strip of woodland is. There are other parts of Newton Aycliffe where the 30mph zone begins right at the end of the road, _before_ the footpath crossing.

[@robg521]

5:07. Good reaction but not good driving, they were overtaking on a roundabout at the exact point where it was likely for someone to veer across in front of them, as you said “not enough staggered formation”

[@kenbrown2808]

and just to point out that while it's legal according to the UK driving code, if the car on the right had exited the roundabout into the right lane, instead of the left, there would have been no conflict.

[@KXXULADavidOC]

Great driving here, as always these nice driving videos are a nice change and great to see, that clip with the snow was wonderful, a beautiful scene 8:30 Wow that is such a terrible crossing point, looks quite hidden, the clip with the bin truck ya I agree that they should have held back where you said

[@PBMS123]

7:00 I dont know if I agree with this. especially in these conditions, you can't see very far back over your shoulder or with the mirror, you don't know what traffic is like, and they've lost half of the on ramp pick up speed on by slowly drifting down it. There's a definitely a lack of understanding other road users, you know like a truck, or a heavily loaded low power van or something that needs ALL of that space to to get just close to the speed that traffic is doing. In this case, you should either stop early, or pull off into the shoulder and let other people pass. Not speeding up on the on-ramp leads to crashes as well. This video starts pretty far in, and there was still a decent gap at the front, if the car had immediately started accelerating, they probably would have been in front, and even if not they could have modulated their speed to slot in with the other cars on the road.

[@Bullwinkle39]

100% I agree. This is why I have really really good brakes and tyres on my bike, I can stop very quickly when I need to. I find myself fixing problems with my speed before anyone has even realised there's going to be a problem and it makes for very smooth and safe journeys

[@TeaxYT]

Bought a Viofo A119 Mini 2 for my car a couple weeks ago using your link, it's working great! Not had any exciting clips to send in, shame as well because a couple weeks prior to buying it I had a car infront doing 20mph joining a 60mph motorway!

[@HighTreason610]

I like these, a good "lead by example" type thing to be shown. Ah yes, the "look really far" one is baffling as in how many people _don't_ look very far at all. Personally I like to periodically look as far down the road as I can - it's not my main focus, but I regularly look because it provides an almost absurd increase in planning time. It actually makes using the road easier. As an example; Behind, the 3rd car is swaying over the lane markings. Ahead, the second car is positioning as if to take the next right, promptly does so. At this speed, there is a crossing that I will be at in 15 seconds. Pedestrians are gathering there, so have probably pressed the button. I will prepare to slow down and stop smoothly if needed. Beyond that, a truck is turning in the road about 25 seconds away and it doesn't seem it will complete this maneuver very quickly, certainly not by the time I arrive at that point. I will soon cease acceleration and bleed speed, intending to stay far back - the truck driver is good and notices, now leaving him more time to focus elsewhere. These are fairly common situations when I ride (I'm on a bike, but it applies to all modes of transport) down one of our high streets. Too many people seem to just suddenly notice a thing a few feet away and slam the brakes, when they could have seen it coming half a mile back down the road if they'd only looked ahead. They'll also become irritated and lean on the horn or speed by (remember that 3rd car back? Gotta keep checking that) when you start slowing down in cases like the truck scenario, only to then - you guessed it - slam the brakes in surprise upon realizing they're accelerating at the side of a large truck - "Where on earth did that come from!?"

[@ibs5080]

Excellent post and I can totally identify with all of what you say.

[@oliverpolden]

Target fixation often causes drivers to fixate on getting past cyclists. Just yesterday I had a car overtake me even though I was gaining on the car in front which was slowing down to turn right. It was the typical, bonnet just over my right shoulder and then pulling back when they realised they had made a mistake because they hadn’t looked ahead.

[@ColinSmith2001]

And following blindly behind the car in front when they overtake a cyclist. The first car often passes more or less Ok, but then you have car 2 or 3 behind them arriving at the same point as the oncoming traffic

[@wrightwoodwork]

I sometimes think it's because the driver doesn't indicate. Then as the car is unaware they end up too close. Where if they indicate to let following vehicle to pull out for a hazard they have a heads up . Saying that the following vehicle should be looking way past the lead car

[@ColinSmith2001]

@@wrightwoodwork Lack of awareness, lack of indicating, tailgating, first reaction to follow instead of checking for themselves, poor judgement of closing speeds, distances and where traffic will meet - it's all there.

[@Chilli_Tea]

Love this channel, a wealth of good ideas and practices

[@bertjesklotepino]

the clip at 7:00. the lorry drivers did keep distance from each other to facilitate car drivers to merge. I agree, the conditions are a bit rough. But your viewer could have spotted the gaps between the lorries, and they could have filtered in, and moved over a lane to not be in between the lorries any more. And they could have done so while keeping the traffic behind them controlled. As in: If you go for a gap, you can make sure another person has to go for another gap. Because if they stay behind you on your bumper, they wont have a gap to filter. Some people will not understand it, sure. But if everyone deploys this tactic, the "idiots" will catch on eventually.

[@davidty2006]

the gap between the 2 trucks is about 5 seconds not enough for a vehicle to emerge safely.

[@bertjesklotepino]

sorry, i disagree. If the driver of the car takes the same speed as the lorries are driving at, and the lorry driver does not close the gap but keeps it the same distance, then there is no problem to filter through to the next lane using the gap to merge onto the highway. There was in my opinion enough room for a car to merge like that. But, sure, lorry drivers may not always want that to happen and then they close the gap for no reason what so ever. @@davidty2006

[@ibs5080]

Excellent point at around 7:10 re would drivers behind have read the bigger picture. I have to admit that watching that clip, I was initially wondering why our cammer wasn't picking up speed for merging onto the motorway. However I understood as soon as Ashley mentioned the reason and it's an excellent technique used by our cammer. I've done the same in similar circumstances, including when I have a genuinely "slow merger" in front of me, so that I can create my own clear "acceleration space".

[@MK-1973]

Fantastic set of clips and great advice 👍

[@MrRmacattack1]

That car 2:14 has had more hits than Elvis.

[@andrewdigby5114]

8'25" "poor drivers tend to steer to avoid" - that's exactly it. thanks, ashley.

[@TerryNutkins3]

I'm often on the receiving end of target fixation while out cycling, wether it's the MGIF regardless of the conditions up ahead or the refusal to overtake despite having the time and opportunity to do so then there's the dithering at junctions. I feel this is caused not only by their inability to judge a cyclists speed and distance but also by how much time it takes for them to perform a manoeuvre

[@robg521]

4:39. That was really well done, you see other people selfishly take their opportunity and screw the other people having the problem, But this actually solved the entire problem for everyone, not just themselves. Good driving.

[@thomaselliot2257]

1:04 the confusing road markings makes it important to look all around and not to fixate on anything.

[@wrightwoodwork]

Yeah sometimes there can be too many road markings which can lead to confusion

[@JoshAston23]

The road markings make it look like the car we're on board with is actually in the wrong lane, and the car to the left can either continue in the lane they have done or turn left (where our dashcammer ultimately goes)

[@oliverpolden]

Nice to see the driver slow down even though they couldn’t do anything about the space. Too many drivers think “well, there’s nothing I can do about the space, so I’ll just carry on at the speed I’m going”.

[@ibs5080]

At 5:33 at least our cammer realised that they could simply carry on for an extra lap of the roundabout in order to avoid an accident. I see so many roundabout clips where drivers somehow think they still have to make their exit at all costs.

[@PedroConejo1939]

What's the saying, a bad driver never misses their exit?

[@ibs5080]

@@PedroConejo1939 Ah yes, I recall hearing that! Well put.

[@robg521]

8:24, this is a very rare occasion when I think that the new rules about letting the pedestrians cross does actually work. In this clip the pedestrians are unsighted, they cannot see and cannot be seen by anyone speeding around the corner, so when the camer stopped in the road he actually provided a barrier. Any vehicle turning into the road behind would be pre-warned that the road is not clear. [or better still the council could do their tree cutting maintenance properly to keep the foliage cut back so everyone can actually see around the junction]

[@JohnCarlyle]

No it highlights poor road/path planning. As much as I don't want pedestrians run over, I also don't want myself and vehicle to be used as a barrier because the council couldn't come up with a decent solution.

[@wrightwoodwork]

Or simply the pedestrian can find a safer place to pass that gives then the best view of the traffic plus the traffic has the best view of them

[@munkey_nuts]

​@@wrightwoodworkpedestrians shouldn't have to go out of their way for people in warm dry faster tin cans. Drivers are the ones with the road training, the legal obligation, and the luxury. Just go slower and give way. Those pedestrians could be waiting all day considering they aren't going to be able to spot a car doing 40-60mph and get across the road quick enough.

[@wrightwoodwork]

@munkey_nuts another dumb person without common sense. You are missing the point to be in a place that gives everyone the best chance to see you. Like don't cross immediately after a blind bend . Do it before so people can see you and you are safer I'm not meaning walk half an hour down the road to cross . You are not looking at the bigger picture

[@QuentinStephens]

A nice driving video; excellent!

[@danielbliss1988]

The target fixation video at the motorway merge i s interesting. In general UK interchanges are quite well designed for this purpose, while in the US it really depends on the state -- some like Wisconsin have nice long merge lanes that are quite close to the carriageway and enable good visibility, while some like Illinois seem to be designed mainly with avoiding cuttings and embankments in mind and come on at an extreme angle, aligning with the carriageway only at the last minute.

[@purgruv]

A great drinking (not driving) game video every time Ashley says "space".

[@cheryll993]

See that ogmios has rubbed off on you ;) nice greatful jog at 8:10

[@goatsimdude3790]

Ashley: "In this clip, see if you can guess which car....." Me: "The Audi. Always the Audi."

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

It’s nice to see some drivers using their brain for a change, staring at a hazard or a problem doesn’t fix anything but looking at the space available definitely fixes the problem, at 9:04 yes, if the driver stopped and waited where you said you’d wait then the bin lorry would have got through with no problem, obviously the car driver didn’t think about the car behind but nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes sometimes. 🙃

[@lanzji1345]

On thing I see often and I don't like at all is pedestrians running to cross the street. In my opinion, running has two bad consequences: first, it shortens the time any driver has to see the pedestrians and to slow down or stop. For weaker participants in traffic - pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikers - being predictable is key for survival. And running pedestrians are less predictable. Second: it gives the drivers (and I'm including myself here) the impression they're doing the pedestrians a favour. No, you're not.

[@ibs5080]

At around 4:04, although I'd very likely do what that cam car did and keep back from the lorry in lane 2, it would have taken me by surprise to subsequently see it's left indicator come on and for it to take the exit it did. I'm still not sure if the lorry was a bit lost or decided to use lane 2 to take a wider turn. If the latter, then perhaps straddling lanes 1 and 2 would have been preferable?

[@Darth_Benga]

Clip 1. Hey, South Shields. Love seeing clips of places I know.

[@kenw394]

3:41 was Jarrow just up the road.

[@Darth_Benga]

Oh yes, Junction with A19 👍

[@davidhartwell4826]

On my first driving lesson I was told not to look at oncoming vehicles. I was also taught to look as far down the road as possible but that was in the days when roads were properly maintained. I now find myself looking in front of the bonnet for dreaded potholes. Situation at 9.54 caused by illegally parked vehicles. More enforcement of parking rules is needed, especially on dustbin day. Waste collection vehicles should be fitted with cameras and illegal parkers fined. I get some exercise by parking legally and walking.

[@Shiltz]

About the dented car giving you a clue. The last crash I was in involved a white Range Rover with red and white tape around it's wheel arch turning a corner straight into us where we had nowhere to move because of the school traffic. Afterwards, we did think it should've been obvious considering the state of her car

[@LastOnSunday]

My instructor always said that your first action, when you see a risk, should always be to come off the throttle. This gives you time to assess your potential risks before having to make any adjustments.

[@adinigel]

I disagree, youur first action should be observation! Mirror - signal - manoeuvre...or...Information - position - speed - gear - acceleration

[@LastOnSunday]

@adinigel i disagree. Observations should be something you are always doing at all times while driving. Otherwise, how can you detect a risk?

[@christopherl1864]

@@LastOnSunday The observation stage permeates all the other stages :)

[@weevilinabox]

​@@adinigelI don't see observation as a step in a process, but a continuous and ongoing aspect of driving. If I don't have an up-to-the-second mental picture of what's going on around me whilst driving, I'm simply not paying enough attention.

[@adinigel]

@@weevilinabox @lastonsunday the observation stage is a continuous process but it still comes before the adjustment of speed!

[@ibs5080]

At around 7:49 re not necessarily always having to stop for an emergency vehicle. This is where I have to remember the different procedure for the UK versus Canada / USA.

[@ibs5080]

Oh the irony in the opening clip. At around 0:08 re "This is where I show clips that should be the norm" & "If there's anything in these clips that you don't do, try to implement it into your driving." Then almost as if on que, the white estate car in front of the cam car turns right (3rd exit) at the roundabout without any signalling. 😊

[@kenbrown2808]

I take pride in always signaling correctly for roundabouts.

[@ibs5080]

@@kenbrown2808 Me too.

[@joeroberts2156]

Lol, the snowy deer looked just like the DVSA hazard perception clip!

[@robg521]

6:15. Absolutely lethal, every time I see pedestrians walk out in between cars like this when the filter lane is empty, I cringe with fear that someone is going to come flying down the filter lane.

[@JohnCarlyle]

And if there are no other cars behind, wouldn't it just be safer for the pedestrian to cross after the vehicle has passed?

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@JohnCarlyle That's what I thought.

[@kenbrown2808]

be aware that if you visit the states, we do require stopping to make way for emergency vehicles. this is to give the emergency driver less to have to monitor. cars that are pulled over and stopped are a much smaller hazard, than a car that is still driving along, and may turn across the emergency driver's path at any time.

[@munkey_nuts]

And if you are a huge pickup that is already blocking the way? Tbf, it's less likely considering the huge roads in N America, here we need the ability to make space for them to pass and sometimes doing so requires you to keep driving until you get to a point where that is possible.

[@andyalder7910]

As an experienced driver I failed my employer's insurance company's hazard perception test multiple times, I just don't get into those situations.

[@ibs5080]

At around 9:00, yes totally agree our cammer could have done better by stopping at the beginning of the entire obstruction. Would have made things a lot easier for everyone. The oncoming lorry could have then cleared the entire obstruction in one go instead of everyone having to find little bits of wiggle room part way through.

[@weevilinabox]

Or, if they'd not spotted the truck soon enough, consider moving to the right-hand side, instead of into the junction. The Nissan Juke driver could certainly have improved the situation by doing so. The downside is that the reduced visibility can make it tricky to emerge from this position, especially with an "opaque" vehicle obscuring the forward view.

[@ibs5080]

At 3:32 I've commented on this before but this issue of a vehicle in the right hand lane exiting a roundabout into the left hand lane when there's another vehicle there is incredibly common. Lost count of the number of clips I've seen that happen.

[@nigelcox1451]

When I was teaching learners, I found a lot that got good marks on their hazard perception test, and did identify hazards well, but did nothing about them, just carried on towards the problem. They seemed pleased tat they'd spotted them though. The test only concentrates on the hazard, not the solution. I suggested to DVSA some time ago, that the test should include a playstation type setup, with a steering wheel, brake and accelerator pedals. To make the clip run, the accelerator has to be pressed half way, (some resistance could be built in here), then when a hazard is spotted, the candidate has to release the accelerator, push harder, if appropriate, brake, or steer. Or a combination of these. The reaction would trigger the result. I guess that would be expensive, so will never happen. Sadly, many learners reaction is to hit the brake first, then think. "Brain before brakes"

[@laceandwhisky]

Love slip roads but sadly 90% of road users dont get the word SLIP. Leave a space in front of you look to your right and plan the join 😊

[@justamanchimp]

3:17 I've seen this situation so many times, one thing I noticed though, I think a lot of times they are aware you are there, it's just they see you holding back as an invitation to cut across. That said though it's still a risk I personally wouldn't take unless I seen the car drive for a bit and got a good sense in how competent they are. Plus it's basically undertaking, if I wanted to overtake I'd go behind them in the right lane and wait for them to hopefully get back into the inside lane

[@ibs5080]

At around 1:50 with the emergency vehicle coming up behind. I'm surprised another driver (or 2 or 3!) didn't overtake our cammer, not realising what was coming up behind.

[@frogsplorer]

I think his creeping kept them at bay

[@justamanchimp]

5:35 Random pointless story, a few years ago I was driving down a beautiful country road in Shropshire where I live and a couple of deer were just chilling in the road. As I was gently moving forward I rolled down the window out of curiosity and one of them came over, and long story short I fed it a Greggs sausage roll right out of my hand lol

[@JeanRoi]

Sometimes I stop at distance to give space to an oncoming vehicle and after driving on I see that I could have driven on into another space closer up. A little embarrassed feeling creeps in 😅

[@kenw394]

You can only drive to what you can see, so don't be to embarrassed.

[@davidrumming4734]

Reading the road & anticipating. This montage should be seen by all learner drivers. And as was said, too many people completely unaware and thinking “what’s that idiot doing-use the horn, flash lights, & overtake”. A lot of the stuff in that video, I see every week. You have to be ready for this stuff and most of the time it becomes a non-event. Maybe more people are watching this channel…. I’ve noticed in traffic, roadworks etc, there’s a growing number of people typically driving modern expensive cars that are reading the road way ahead….if behind me they are reading the road ahead of me, and driving accordingly. So at the traffic hot spots crawling along, they aren’t moving up 6in or pulling away, stopping, pulling away, stopping….they are leaving a gap and crawling at a roughly constant low speed. Is it because an increasing number are hybrid or fully electric and it’s more efficient?

[@ibs5080]

At around 6:27: Did the white Audi and the van really target fixate on our cammer...or did they perhaps just use our cammers good nature of complying with the Keep Clear as an opportunity to just get ahead? Have to say, it's very frustrating when you do the right thing and "opportunists" take advantage of it to get ahead of you.

[@frogsplorer]

Something to be careful about deer is evolution has made them masters of throwing a dummy. I remember one time I came up on a deer and I thought it was making for the forest but instead it turned on a dime and shot back across the road. We both got a big fright. I think it was partly crossed wires. I was trying to avoid the deer but the deer is wired to think you are chasing. Rabbits also start maniacally zig zagging if you pressure them. Better all round to really hold back and give them time and space

[@racerdeth]

The ambulance clip between 1m30s and 2m0s is a beauty because cammer is still creeping too, so they're signalling to other road users that they haven't just stopped and are there to be overtaken (sounds silly but there are some thoughtless people on the roads who won't have put two and two together there)

[@weevilinabox]

An excellent point! That said, I'm sure most of us "creepers" will _still_ have been overtaken in these situations.

[@ibs5080]

At around 1:20 having another vehicle fail to give you priority even when you are signalling right at a mini roundabout is very common. Seen so many video clips of that. It was unusual to see it here without the usual blast of horn.

[@PedroConejo1939]

I do think that whoever is responsible for these things should prioritise putting markings - not necessarily full-on zebras - across roundabout entrance/exits where there is no other provision for crossing other than the kamikaze method. Certainly dotted lines and sharks' teeth to signify to drivers that something is afoot - pardon the pun. The new rules haven't made things worse for pedestrians, but they have highlighted those drivers who didn't know/abide by what the old rules were, as in, you must give way to pedestrians already in the road into which you are turning. I saw that ignored, sometimes very dangerously, so many times - and that was before the new rules.

[@ibs5080]

This whole business of drivers not understanding (or caring) they need to give pedestrians priority when turning from one street to another is a very major pet peeve of mine. Possibly because it's something that's better understood and followed in... you've guessed it...North America!

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@ibs5080 And frankly, if American drivers can do it, there really is no excuse here.

[@ibs5080]

@@PedroConejo1939 And Canadians! You've reminded me: As you will know, in Germany it's the law to keep an "emergency corridor" open when in slow moving or stationary traffic (aka a stau) on the autobahn. When the Dutch wanted to introduce the same concept to their country, they had a TV publicity campaign that illustrated the principle. They ended the clip with the rather cheeky slogan "If the Germans can do it, why can't we?" 😊

[@azulleth9401]

I had to deal with someone invading the space I was in at the interestion between Tunnel Rd and Lodge Ln. A car in the right lane (turn right only) went straight ahead ,as soon as I noticed hood of the car I held back and let them pass and merge into the single lane, I'd hope they where in the wrong lane by mistake but either way some one has to fix the mistake. I was held up total of 0 seconds.

[@andrewlong6438]

There was a clip of a driver going round a roundabout after coming a motorway. Felt they were driving far too fast and weren’t anticipating any moving into their space.

[@Lee.Willcox]

Is it OK if I disagree with your analysis of the driver that saw the refuse lorry coming towards them? The driver most likely lives there and knows the roads intimately. They could see the lorry was being slow and got to the left turning to pull in and let the lorry pass. Otherwise they would have been far back at the junction they turned into from and may have caused an unnecessary tail back on that main road? I can hear the horns. Not too happy with the person behind them so perhaps both are to blame? I think that the black car behind was blinkered and in a rush to follow whilst not noticing the Bin Men, or Women simply followed the leader? We can not surely account for the mental state or aptitude of every driver or cyclist, otherwise we would never get anywhere? Just make sure you don't knock anyone over or hit anyone.

[@steamhammer2k]

We have a dented car in our street new dents appear all time it`s a bit of joke to be the first to spot a new dent on the car. It also appears to have just 2 throttle openings flat out, or off.

[@kenbrown2808]

to avoid the biggest problem of target fixation, look where you plan to go while being aware of the hazard. because you tend to go where you look.

[@clivewilliams3661]

The problem with the pedestrian priority rule at junctions has less to do with target fixation and more to do with the fact that the majority of motorists do not know it exists since it has not been broadcast. I would say that the majority of motorists never open the HC to check whats new or to refresh their knowledge from the day that they pass their test, which may be decades ago.

[@davidjones332]

Years ago we were bombarded with those public information TV advertisements: "Drive as if you had a glass of water on the bonnet", "Henry Molehusband, Safest Parker in Town" etc, and very good they were too. The problem now, I suspect, is that now we have more than two TV channels and half the population get their news (or misinformation) from TikTok and Facebook, how do you disseminate important information like this to 60 million people who aren't listening to what Ministers or civil servants say?

[@clivewilliams3661]

@@davidjones332 In the first instance you issue a leaflet with every VED/driving license renewal notice as well as with new registration documents. Its not perfect but it will get to the majority of drivers and a proportion of cyclists, plus incidental contacts. Schools could spend 5 minutes periodically giving up dates on new HC items and DVSA advice etc etc. the opportunities are there, you just have to take them.

[@bertjesklotepino]

the part with the lorry. Brilliant move from the viewer. Not the normal behavior we see these days. These days we see people who think like this: "O, a lorry, I NEED TO GET INFRONT. I JUST HAVE TO BE INFRONT. I CAN NOT SLOW DOWN. I NEED TO BE IN FRONT. And then they are surprised if they get squashed into the shape of a pancake. There were times when people did have common sense. But as some say: If common sense was common, everyone would have it.

[@davem9204]

First clip: I'm not sure on the rules on wide loads, but should that lorry with the house on back have support vehicles warning of it coming? Or does that only apply on motorways?

[@philcourteney4328]

Looking at how quickly the rider in the clip 2:20 was able to recognise the hazard and act accordingly shows just how much the camera person in the recent “Cyclist Vs Fire Brigade Vehicle” was suffering from Main Character Syndrome.

[@123MondayTuesday]

had to double take the last clip

[@ibs5080]

At around 6:12, thats a very far from ideal crossing arrangement for pedestrians crossing multiple lanes. Perhaps that roundabout is a good candidate to be converted into a so called Dutch style roundabout, as recently featured in another of Ashley's videos.

[@matt821]

Driving a bin lorry in those sorts of streets must be a complete nightmare.

[@chrisl1797]

6:55 I do that on the Jn 4 entry slip of the M65. Big uphill climb and no way do I want to be trying to merge behind or next to a huge great big lorry. Most people behind wonder what I am doing and sit right up my bumper.

[@oliverpolden]

Sometimes you need to hold back even if you can get through because someone following you would cause a blockage.

[@wrightwoodwork]

The other day going to work passing parked cars while following another vehicle . The car in front when it seen a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction pulled in to allow it to pass which is fair enough and i was got to do the same , but when i checked behind and with the cars also following me . I decided to keep going so sll the following cars could clear . The driver thought it was a bit cheeky but thaey had only thought about themselves and not the following traffic

[@Paws4thot]

~3:55 - Surely the "Large River" lorry is in the wrong lane and should be in the LH lane or straddling Left and Centre, preventing an even possible hazard from arising?

[@brianperry]

l would respectfully suggest this isn't really Target Fixation, rather, its being aware of ones surroundings... Spatial Awareness ... and acting upon situations as they arise, good driving in fact...Speaking from a motorcyclist's viewpoint of many years we are taught or learn the hard way that Target Fixation is a phenomenon where ''You go where you look'', concentration on particular objects is what you will inevitably run into. This is one of, if not the main reasons why Bikers, 'Run out of Road'... Being spatially aware but avoiding inattention blindness and target fixation is the key to driving/riding safely. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing one can do about following drivers..If they are in the grip of the later two they 'Will' hit you...

[@leejohnson3209]

6:02 It really is a debacle. It's putting pedestrians at greater risk than before.

[@horrortackleharry]

That's nasty from the planners. They've just stuck in a dropped kerb on a very busy roundabout (without traffic lights) with no road markings or other helpful clues that pedestrians may be crossing. Poor.

[@47milesaway]

Haha

[@grimsbyhackney479]

Maybe everyone should slow down more when they're approaching/exiting roundabouts, instead of using them for over/undertaking.

[@JohnCarlyle]

Absolutely dangerous with multiple lanes. Other drivers think you're just too early for the traffic on the roundabout. Also your vehicle is blocking other vehicles view of the pedestrians as well as the pedestrians view of other vehicles.

[@JonnyUnforeseen]

I somewhat agree. But I do think by this point, a lot of drivers are choosing to be wilfully ignorant of the rule changes.

[@PaulM_aka_4c21]

Beach Road, South Shields and Lindisfarne Roundabout, Jarrow

[@good7saint]

And here's me calling myself over cautious looking for space around potential hazards When I'm cycling

[@bajhi_]

very fabulous video as usual

[@keithdenton8386]

Is target fixating a real thing drivers do? I have never thought about this before. I have always assumed drivers look for spaces to drive into. There is a problem, where will I go?

[@smilerbob]

It is unfortunately. A few days ago I ended up on diversion along a single track road as there was a mudslide on the main route. The majority of drivers were leaving good gaps so all passing places could be used and flow of traffic was maintained. Except for one. We all moved over to go around a van and held in the passing place for the van to move so a bin wagon coupd come through. Unfortunately another van behind continued up the road and blocked anyone moving. Thankfully it was fixed with a little wiggle and jiggle from the bin wagon but that wouldn’t have been needed if the driver behind looked ahead rather than fixated on the rear of the vehicle in front of them

[@wrightwoodwork]

I think it depends on age or when you learned to drive. When I learned it was if someone does something wrong where is your escape route don't look at what you don't want to hit as you will hit it. So by focusing on the hazard you are actually causing yourself to head towards it which is the last thing we want

[@ibs5080]

At around 4:31, not the best planning by the Glencoe lorry or the red Fiat behind it, now both blocking the junction.

[@davem9204]

At 2:20 the car the pulls out without looking is covered in dents, which is another clue they might not be the best driver!

[@davem9204]

I had it muted when Ashley says exactly that! 🤦‍♂

[@mystery_pond]

A dented car definitely does have some indication that the driver hasn't got proper spacial awareness of the car - I can attest to this as my own car's dents were made by my mother borrowing it, but she's never ever had a prang in her own!

[@kenw394]

Maybe she's trying to tell you something.

[@frogsplorer]

Is your car larger?

[@mystery_pond]

@@frogsplorer About the same. To be fair, they were in a supermarket car park and I can see how it's possible to get complacent with the visibility from within your own car and not realise there's stuff out of sight in another.

[@chrisl1797]

1:05 methinks the CAMMER is in the wrong lane there... (they might technically be in A correct lane, but perhaps not THE correct {best} lane)

[@radishpea6615]

4:36, we cannot see what is coming from behind the cammer in lane 1. The cammer could have caused traffic to brake. 5:17, being staggered would have meant not making progress and at times driving on what you see and not keep slowing for what might be is appropriate.

[@cmagnos]

Very please 2 of my driving are shown (6:20 and 7:25)