How to Drive Like a Driving Instructor | Best Flow
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2022
- This is my favourite driving mantra. Do you regard this as important as I do?
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40 years ago in Nottingham I was approaching a queue of traffic and, as always, slowed to delay the point I would be standing still. As I approached the back of a lorry at the tail of the queue, I looked in my mirror and saw a car coming up behind too fast with the driver talking and looking at his passenger. At the last minute the driver looked forward and, as he stood on his brakes, he realised he wasn't going to stop in time. I however had seen this unfolding and managed to accelerate onto the verge to the left of the lorry. The car slid safely to a stop exactly where I'd been. Of course the driver assumed I had meant to drive onto the verge and offered no thanks for my action. Instead I had to wait for the car, and the others behind it, to go past before I could drive back onto the road.
I think many people are too dumb to realise you've saved their skin.
Likewise, about 40 years back, I was approaching a queue held by a tractor turning left, off into a field. The car approaching behind had a driver with more important things on their mind, I drove onto the road verge, they slid through my original space and onto the opposite side of the road, alongside the vehicle they had just avoided hitting. Come to think of it, that avoided three lots of bodywork repairs.
Very similar thing happened to me and my brother. He was driving, and came to a stop behind a queue of traffic at the roundabout after leaving the motorway. He noticed a car approaching very fast, clearly hadn't noticed the slowing traffic. My brother had left enough space between him and the car in front to quickly move to the lane to the left where there were no cars. The approaching car screeched to a halt next to us, and looked over as if to say 'oh my god, that could have been souch worse.' My other brother was in the back, too, so it really could have been fatal.
This is why I always try and show brake lights nice and early, like in situations when you notice stopped/slow traffic off a roundabout exit. I also rest my foot on the brake when stopped until the car comes to a stop behind me.
I do think the way Ashley shows how he's driving in this video can significantly reduce the risk of rear end collisions. You might annoy some people who don't think ahead and just see you as a slow driver but at least they're aware you're there before you gradually brake to a stop.
It's the sort of driving still prevalent today, where idiotic drivers weave through traffic like in a contest, inconveniencing other road users in the process, but since there is no feedback to say their idiocy is endangering lives, their own ego makes them believe they're just better than average drivers.
If every person inconvenienced by such idiotic drivers used their horns, perhaps they'd get the message? Doubt it though, but worth a try.
My style of driving has changed so much since discovering Ashley. He has helped me identify bad habits that have crept into my driving since passing my test 20 years ago.
The biggest change has been letting things go and not reacting to bad driving from other road users.
This video is as informative as the rest.
So glad I came across this channel.
Thanks Ashley
Same here, I verbalise all the time now and it has helped enormously. You can never stop learning and helping overcome bad habits even after years of driving.
Ashley - I have been a driver for two months now(newly passed at 28).
I have to say I watch your content religiously and I feel so confident.
Thanks mate
In Christchurch the lights are set to provide a green wave, if you maintain a 30kmph speed they will turn green as you approach. It is incredibly how many people have failed to notice this and race up at above the speed limit to have to come to a stop. I set myself the goal of getting all the way through without the need to put my foot on the floor.
This is some good driving. This is called eco-driving in Sweden, a requirement to drive like this if you want to pass your driving test. I'm sure most countries have the same requirment.
But I guess some people forget as soon as they pass.
It's just called driving here. Watch it back and try to find a single car that "flowed" any less successfully than Riginald Molehusband here.
Interesting that this sort of 'heads up' driving is actively taught in Sweden.
I've no idea if it is taught here in New Zealand by formal driving instructors. Most people here a taught by family members, so all the bad habits (tailgating, impatience, aggression, not stopping a junctions, poor observation, etc) are passed from one generation to the next.
NZ's road death toll is one of the worst of the OECD nations - I'm sure that is no coincidence.
What you were describing is how I try to drive, but what annoys me is when I start to slow for lights that have been showing green for a while, and I know they are going to change any second, then some cowboy from behind floors it, swerves out, overtakes, cuts in, and has to stand on the brakes - if they bother - because they've now got the red! Or similarly, I know there are lights just around the blind corner, so lift off just in case, and some clot starts honking and flashing because I'm not going fast enough for them!
Was very surprised to hear you say that you think scooters and cycles are ok on the pavement when used with consideration for others, totally agree by the way.
EVs are perfectly setup for this style of progressive, economical driving, especially when they are set to one foot driving. I found the Model3 and Leaf just make you want to drive this way so you don't use the brake pedal at all. Also think the way they regen can confuse/trigger other drivers who may think the brake lights aren't working. I almost make it a challenge to see how far I can go without lighting up the brake lights, quite fun. Just need to be aware of people following closely
I recently got 79.1mpg from a tank in my 1L petrol Toyota Aygo driving in the way your explaining in this video... The last 1,500 miles of fill-ups have been over 77mpg (3 fuel ups around 500 miles each, 79.1mpg, 78.5mpg and 77.1mpg).
Surprisingly my car gets better fuel economy in urban driving then it does on A roads... It does get better economy on motorways but only when it's busy but flowing... You get quite a significant boost from all of the cars moving the air in the direction you're traveling.
Sayings I was taught.
Expect the unexpected, anticipate the stupid!
Always drive within your abilities, conditions and load.
Driving is a language. Everything you need to speak it well is laid out in front of you.
We are all at different levels of skill, experience and age.
Enjoy your videos very much Ashley. Be good to see you in a HGV/bus or motorbike showing folk what its like to drive and the problems we have to deal with.
I do this flow thing all the time. It's so funny when you pull up to lights without using brakes and pass the idiot who flew past you just to sit and wait for longer.
I like these longer ones and the analysis as well as the driving fail ones. The shorts are really good to make a point but you only get one sip of coffee out of them!
Very often the change in speed you need to accommodate best flow is only a few miles per hour which, sustained for less than a minute, barely impacts your arrival time. It can often need more of a change in speed, but if everyone was driving with the idea to improve flow then congestion on a large scale would be reduced, getting everywhere places faster
Really it doesn’t impact your arrival time at all, going faster to stop at a traffic light and wait for longer for it to change is not going to change the arrival time.
Much the same for the lorry drivers who insist on spending 5-10 miles overtaking another lorry, to save a few seconds on their journey. It is inevitably time that is lost at the next junction when the other one catches up again. The only time lost is for the 20-30 faster vehicles that get stuck behind the two vehicles (one doing 56mph and the other doing 56.1mph), it seems best flow doesn’t count if you drive a big lorry…
yes indeed, just taking your foot off the gas makes all the difference
Whilst it must be said most instructors *DO* drive as they teach, there are plenty who don't, but I remember a former instructor once telling me that he was always conscious that if he did not drive in the way he taught people to drive, he would soon be seen and that could be damaging to his reputation
Yes. I've seen quite a few who don't. Doesn't matter if it's the driving instructor's kid or whoever driving - it's still the instructor's reputation if there's no pupil in the car.
I really enjoy your 'drive like' episodes Ash.... Liverpool is a great city which is a bonus in enjoying them whilst picking up great driving traits . Thanks, looking forward to the next one. 👍
I like this type of video by Ashley. It really makes you think about how much goes on when driving and might highlight areas we need to improve upon. I’d like to think my driving has improved a fair bit from watching so many of these videos. For example, I’ve noticed I’m using my horn less as I’m anticipating divers doing the unexpected and I plan ahead to avoid any trouble. I try and drive more in a staggered formation as there is no point in me driving in someone’s blind spot as it only increases risk.
Whenever I drive past a hospital, police or fire station, I make extra observations as there’s a higher chance that an emergency vehicle will be passing my way. I try and plan it so I can give them room if need be. I’ve sent an example of this to Ashley but I don’t think he’s had a chance to see the video yet. Keep up the good work Ashley, I have learnt a lot and I’m sure many others have too!
Back when I was learning to drive I used to go around a roundabout that was particularly busy. I was told by my instructor that I needed to pick a gap, nd drive slowly towards the rear wheel of the vehicle in front of the gap in order to find the space. It amazes me that some people wait until the previous car has totally cleared and the gap has almost gone before they get their car moving, and in so doing then cause the next vehicle to have to lift off or brake.
Fantastic driving. I have been applying lots of tips from Ashley’s videos for a while now and I am much calmer, less triggered and enjoy the drive more. The M520 diesel comment made me laugh. I actually drive a M340d (an official M lite by BMW). What I’ve found with my own car and employing an Ashley style of driving is my mpg has gone from an average of mid 50’s up to mid 60’s. A very welcome boost in economy and money saved at the pump. Just by altering how I view what’s happening around me 👍
Thanks Ashley.
This drive reminds me of my IAM test, keeping up the commentary for 90mins is hard going!
I quite enjoyed your analogy of pushing/moving a car manually in neutral.
Just a general comment: Your very detailed dialog and constant analysis of the situation along regular urban roads is a living testament that everyday driving can always be made into a very interesting activity. As well
as something to constantly strive to improve at. I feel most folk consider driving as a fairly mundane every day activity but your videos and narrations take it to a far far higher level and turn it into a far more interesting and enjoyable activity.
I couldn't agree more with you on this one!
He just talks a lot. Imagine living with him. 🤣🤣🤣
@@margaretnicol3423 Now now Margaret! BTW, some say I write a lot!
@@ibs5080 Yes, you do sometimes but I enjoy listening to Ashley and I enjoy reading what you write - so it's all good. 😀
I really enjoy driving still but my goals have very much changed from when 'going for a burn' was part of my social time. Nowadays, it's to pass along with minimum turbulence. That requires a different kind of energy but it's an achievable target, even in heavy traffic. I think that is why I enjoy this channel so much.
I’ve noticed that people get better at this when fuel supplies are short. And they worse when things are plentiful and are under the usual modern day working pressure.
Keep it moving, keep it rolling, do what it takes so that you don’t actually come to a halt at junctions. Slow and ease off approaching a junction and adjust your speed to arrive at the precise time to filter in or meet a gap.
That's true.
It's just like insulating houses. Under the ECO scheme free loft insulation has been available to pretty much anyone with a normal loft, on request, for many years.
But no one bothers until it hits the bank account.
Another great video from Ashley. Becoming an electric car owner about four years ago sharpened my focus on mainaining traffic flow alongside the economy of my new car.
Watching Ashley's video's is another way I keep my focus on improving and remediating my driving.
Great video. Very similar thinking-ahead, flow-orientated thought processes to me, only I am just not able to narrate and drive simultaneously. I always try to remember that it's co-operative, not competitive but it does annoy those who think the converse. Always beware the gap-sensitive drivers - the ones that will close a gap or just plain get possessive of a large space in front of them.
I do agree that cycling on pavements, when done considerately is often better than being on the road. This is especially less of a problem since shared pedestrian/cycle paths have beome a norm. Conversely, any cyclist who hassles pedestrians is no better than 'punishment pass' drivers. It's all about consideration and courtesy.
Creeping up to red traffic lights to save having to pull away from a dead stop used to be a thing in north Germany when I lived there.
My bugbear? Those who come to a stop and then pull two or three yards forwards after a few seconds, repeat. Personally, I normally don't move when that happens.
I wonder if the Beemer driver has declared his 'M' badges to his insurance. My guess is that he hasn't.
I think the "M" badge is a spec identifier put on by the manufacturer rather than an amendment from a pretentious owner.
@@peterthompson9854 OK, ta. I gave up on Beemers years ago.
Nice one Ashley. I have a mantra too. Less cut & thrust, more merge and flow. 🙂
What a great video, I love how Ashley covers a wide range of scenarios in his videos which i think in most case, if you were out in a lesson /or out driving you may not necessarily experience most of the time. YT is a great way to convey that. If frustrates me though that there is no culture of people wanting to improve their driving over a lifetime.
Great video Ashley. I try to drive that way, minimising braking, acceleration and stopping. And it seems from the comments that many others think that way too. Hopefully we can all have a positive influence on those around us and encourage calmer more collaborative driving.
These video's save lives. Well done Ashley 👍
I saw Liverpool in a different light, just started learning to drive, pretty cool seeing the city from a driver’s perspective
As soon as you asked if we've ever had to push a car from a standstill, I knew exactly the point you were about to make. Yes, I try to preserve forward motion and not have to come to a standstill if I can avoid doing so. One scenerio where I feel this really pays dividends in several different ways: When coming up to a queue of traffic on an uphill slope. If I can avoid having to come to a complete stop on an uphill, not only do I avoid having to restart from a standstill but I also totally eliminate the need to apply the handbrake and do a hillstart (even though I'm totally capable of doing so without rolling back). HGV drivers in particular are very mindful of this kind of "uphill" situation and will cut their speed very early on in the hope of being able to keep rolling at a very slow speed up the hill for a long distance until the traffic ahead starts to move off again. Of course, they also face the added challenge of cars diving into the gap they have in front of them but that's another issue.
other side of the coin is if HGV drivers know they are going to have to stop, they don't want to have to stop and start three times before they get to the light. it's better to start from a standstill than to dump fuel into the engine to keep creeping forward at 2 MPH.
Fantastic driving Ashley. In a weird way your driving is 'mesmerising' in how calm and collective it is. No doubt you are driving to the speed limits, and I always do the same, be it 20mph to 70mph. It amuses me always see those who break the speed limits, but make no further progress especially in urban areas. The Delta cab is a good example of this (2:53 to 8:00 (you just about see it behind the white lorry).
my fave series! great video
I so appreciate you allowing us to ride with you and learn as we do.
Patience, anticipation, kindness. Even if not a driver, your teachings are still invaluable. I do appreciate them and really became much more mindful of traffic flow with vehicles and pedestrians. Watching in the distance and "predicting" the future is my all time favourite trick from you.
The whole speeding only to wait thing reminds me of the time I was driving towards a traffic light that had just turned red. I did some lifting and coasting because it saves fuel, saves on brakes, saves on tyres and won't delay any more than if I stuck to the speed limit and slammed on the brakes. The car that was behind me came up next to me and started shouting because I slowed down from 28 to 25 in a 30. It's just bizarre behaviour. If you stuck to 30 mph for those few seconds, it it would have got you to the red traffic light 0.2 seconds quicker. Good job. Now, you can wait for just as long except now you've used a bit more fuel and caused a slight amount more wear on your brakes and tyres.
Not to mention that you've polluted the environment for no good reason. The best ones are when you know the timing of the lights so you can drive past the light just as it turns green!
These driving videos are superb. It seems to me that they ought to be shown on national tv, like on Top Gear? Unfortunately, they are not glamorous enough for the BBC, who are more interested in people having fun (driving fast), than promoting road safety.
Hi, Ashley , enjoying your videos . I learned to drive with ,The RAF at , St Athens 38 years ago , in a Land Rover . My instructor said that whilst learning , it's all about the three P's , Practice , practice practice . When i passed he said it is more about , P and C; Patience and consideration . My first solo was in a Bedford RL , A bit of a beginners beast by any standard . The roads have certainly got busier since those days . Keep up the good work , Ashley .
Great tips as always Neal. I passed my driving test in Ireland last week (second attempt, two months later). You've been a great help the past two years watching all your videos and taking notice of your safe and careful planning as a driver. Thanks very much for your time and consideration for all the great work you do. You've a great channel.
Great points…well done!
I do try and help flow when driving, but I’m a bit more selfish when cycling. Need to look out for myself rather than save a motorist a few seconds!
When I try and do the right thing, like move over when the road widens, drivers often won’t let me merge back in, nor let me filter past when I catch them up at the lights. Much better to just make them go at my speed, saves them fuel and stops them idling in a queue!
I forget the timestamp but when you asked if anybody had ever pushed a broken down car - it brought back a few memories of my Vauxhall "Shove-It" days.......
1970's reliability at its worst with many BL models fitting into that description as well. Once able to afford something more modern I had very few issues.
Quite ironic when you consider my current vehicle 😁.
With regards to traffic flow; very nicely demonstrated. No point in rushing to the next queue if you can keep moving.
Stay safe everyone 👍.
Thanks Ashley, more vids like this please.
Probably haven't thought about it since driving my test, though I to plan ahead as best as possible. Will certainly try and keep 'flow' in my mind while driving from now on.
I know exactly what you mean about pulling out in front of another vehicle that's relatively close but not close enough to actually affect them, all in the interests of best flow. A very good example of this is at a busy roundabout. Personally I don't mind at all if someone pulls out in front of me when I'm relatively close by but it didn't cause me any real inconvenience.
Yep. If I feel my heckles rising I consciously ask, 'Did it _really_ inconvenience me?' The answer is almost always, 'No'.
other side of the coin, I had twice from Saturday afternoon to sunday noon I had to throw out the anchor to keep from running somebody over.
Speaking of 'Race to queue' A friend of mine lived in Stockport. The A6 through Stockport was always a nightmare, stop start from one set of lights to the next. He suggested driving at 28 mph, so I tried it and every set of lights changed to green, just before I got there, so it works (at least in Stockport lol)
Speaking of pushing a car.....back in 1987 I had to push my old V-reg Datsun Sunny and it weighed even more cus half of it was rust! 😆 Ahh, what a stereo I wired into that car! Proper amplifier that had on it. BOOM! Anyway, yes I do try to keep things moving; I no longer get triggered by 'merge in turn' when I'm the one who's wasted time queuing in line when someone else drives all the way down and merges in front of me; I help people and am certainly a lot more atuned into pedestrians and cycles since the Highway Code refresher brought it back to mind.
Choosing a good gap at a roundabout where I live seems to often trigger someone who's just come onto it from my right. As I'm about halfway over the Give Way line they put their foot down and then come hurtling towards me with their horn blasting. I think some people deliberately look out for this situation just so they can make someone wrong.
Also, there's a very good reason for leaving a gap in front when pulling up at lights or behind a queue, at least big enough to see all of the car in front. If you don't, one day an ambulance or other emergency response vehicle is going to need to come through. If everyone has closed up the gap, someone might die as a result.
Slowing down early and leaving a gap in front often seems to affect the driver behind in a positive way. I've noticed that they'll often start doing the same.
It seems to always be the aggressive driver that causes the problems. Many driving instructors teach their pupils to drive defensively, and even the Official DVSA Guide to Driving seems to promote that idea. But strategic driving is by far the safest.
Completely agree with your comments on cyclist.
One thing I noticed when seeing videos of Swedish cycle routes, is a lot are shared paths. Plenty of young and older riders perfectly happy plodding along at 5-6mph on a computer bike with racks and baskets for everyday use.
Excellent video! I have been saying this for years, most energy expended getting the car moving from a full stop so why not keep moving and flow through at a steady pace.
Unfortunately there are still too many racing to the back of the next queue still and engineering gridlock by their collective actions, despite the high cost of fuel.
Recently been to Liverpool from Derby to collect passports and found the driving to be of a good standard. Despite making a few late lane changes due to road works and my odd misinterpretation of the sat nav found drivers to be tolerant.
I just got my licence on my third try last week! Your vids really helped me get some insight that I hadnt been able to pick up from my own instructors!
Congratulations and, you know I'm going to say this, keep watching, keep learning. You'll be finished with the learning bit in 70 years or so...
Well done!
Ian is spot on, I passed nearly three years ago now and was told “learning drive starts now” which was very true.
Stay safe out there.
@@SultanSaeed_99 Yeah, so true! I notice a difference already in impatience. Before I was allotted 90 minutes to drive or drove about with my parents, now I drive to get to a point, and get annoyed at others mistakes that delay traffic (even though I probably make the same mistakes without knowing). So need to improve on this new aspect!
Good tips, thank you
I've driven HGV's with telematics fitted and as some drivers thought another spy device to be attacked with. Once i took the positive from the system I found as I was driving more towards how it measures your efficiency, anticipation and momentum and it took some of the stress out of the day to day by flowing better with the traffic. When you scored a "red" it was usually for harsh braking triggered by another vehicle . Poor signalling at roundabouts being the most common .
It often makes sense to cycle on the pavement and I’m glad to see you haven’t got a problem with it if done safely. It’s no different to a shared use path and sometimes an “illegal” pavement is far wider and less busy with pedestrians!
What some pedestrians don’t realise though, is it’s only illegal if the pavement runs alongside the road. An alleyway or path across a park is fine to cycle on, even if it is not a designated cycle path, just as long as there’s not a “no cycling” sign (red circle with a bicycle symbol).
It's all about being reasonable. For example, I live near a 25-30% hill. Downhill, I'll be on the road... uphill, I use the pavements... my speed is around 5-6mph!!
when we worked VIPs our rule was always try to keep moving, the easier it becomes to avoid situations of danger etc. Commentary should be in everyone's drive, it helps focus the mind to the hazards and also the generalization of road users around us. As usal, thanks, great video
I love all your videos but I love the longer ones like this
I absolutely agree with you about 2 wheelers using the pavement where safe as long as they are considerate toward pedestrians.
One thing that "faster" or "speeding" drivers seem unaware of. Their fast driving / speeding can actually delay other drivers. How can that be you may ask? How can a faster driver delay a slower driver? Well, here are a couple of examples:
1. Driving on a motorway at 70mph in Lane 1 and I'm catching up to a slower vehicle in my lane which I want to overtake. A mirror check shows a car in Lane 2 catching me up and exceeding the speed limit. I now have to delay my overtake as a result of the speeding car. The problem is magnified further if there are several speeding cars in Lane 2, which is often the case.
2. Waiting to turn out of a minor road and onto a priority road. Cars on the priority road speeding, resulting in me having to wait for a longer gap before I can safely pull out. Had the other vehicles been keeping to the speed limit, I might have been able to pull out sooner. This applies whether I'm intending to turn right or left out of the side road btw.
3. Approaching red lights slowly so that I can go through on green, a faster car overtakes and jumps into the gap then has to stop. If they had understood what I was doing then we would both have made better progress.
@@Alan_Clark Yes! Totally recognise that situation and can be so frustrating! Here we are trying to do the right thing to AID traffic flow and a "faster" driver mucks it up and actually slows us all down!
I found your advice on using engine braking interesting. I'm old, so have always used engine braking to slow down, but when my daughter was learning to drive she was taught not to use engine braking but to use the brakes; the reason given was that it is cheaper and easier to replace brake pads than it is a clutch and when you apply the brakes the brake lights warn to the following vehicles that you are slowing down.
Cheers Ashley. Good call on the use of the footpath, I may use it only if no risk or bother to pedestrians and if it helps with my safety and reduces complexity for you guys on the road.
I've had 'best flow' mentality for years, it just makes common sense. These days it seems a lot of people have a 'my flow' mentality that usually screws everyone.
Good vid, @Ashley - thanks. Lots of good thoughts / excellent advice. It's all about the word in your title sequence: anticipation.
My general impression is the diabolical quality of the roadway in the first half of the vid, and particularly the dangerous parking practice, where the road corridors are so wide that something much safer could be designed very easily. I'm interested in active travel, and it just not been considered. Some specifics wearing my "active travel" hat:
00:26 Why is a child exiting a vehicle on the offside?
03:10 onwards. A horrible pavement parking problem; is there an exception here? And most of the houses have driveways.
03:26 Cyclist on the pavement, corralled into the pedestrian space by the pavement parked cars, skips etc. Two problems in one. In a road corridor wide enough for fully segregated infrastructure. It doesn't seem to be a shared pavement, so they want people on bikes in the road?
05:14 on. Many cars parked half on the pavement.
07:00 Very strange cycle lane in a very wide road. 1980s standard infrastructure.
07:28 Cars parked across the mandatory cycle lane and the pavement on the RHS. On the LHS the cycle lane positions people on bikes to be knocked off by people opening car doors.
08:00 LHS. Cycle lane so narrow that it is virtually filled with slippery double yellows. Dangerous in wet conditions.
(I'll leave the specifics there.)
Incidentally, following the channel has encouraged me to sign up with my local ROSPA group. I did some sessions with the IAM some time (!) ago, and it is time for some revision.
What's 'active travel' please?
@@margaretnicol3423 The current Government language for travel that involves exercise - so predominantly walking and cycling, but would also cover other similar methods.
They usually talk about it in connection with health conditions such as obesity and Type II Diabetes, and how any amount of regular exercise can help.
For me I'm trying to get my small town improved for people on bikes, and we are still in the 1970s with hundreds of blocks on cycling routes for example - paths that were *designed* to be cycle routes and then got nobbled. I've had a few removed to allow access to the floodlit cycletrack thought the park, but also arguing that a Type III (ie large outdoor) mobility scooter is blocked and granny can't go to the park with the grandchildren seems also to help.
That is what I try and do when traffic conditions allow. Sometimes you have to put your foot down and be positive.
Saves a lot of petrol…..52.5mpg average, petrol E10, automatic.
*currently going thru roadworks to & from work everyday….not sure how much this is costing me, tho the engine does mostly switch it’s self off.
I tend to coast toward roundabout and traffic lights, when I can see that I'll have to stop if I keep going the speed limit, and for my troubles I get tailgated. A lot. Everyone wants to race there and stop, rather than just slowing by a couple mph for a few hundred feet and not having to stop.
I always chuckle when someone does that to me, then pulls out, overtakes, rushes off, and then I slide past them at the lights, roundabout or whatever obstruction they were rushing towards because I've arrived, gently rolling, at just the right time. If they are following the same route as me, another two, three or four obstructions like that and they have fallen far enough behind that I can't see them any more. I used to know a TrafPol instructor who taught people to do _high_ _speed_ runs like that - he used to call it "Going faster by going slower".
Your comment about E-scooters and similar being allowed to use pavements if they could show consideration for pedestrians, I pretty much agree with that. Especially younger kids, I’d rather see them cycling on paths than roads. But I would also add, providing the pavement is of a suitable width. I’ve visited Liverpool a few times and for the size of the city, I’ve found it quite easy to navigate around the city centre and other main roads quite easily. The one city I do find a bit harder to navigate until you become more familiar would be the inner Coventry ring road, if your not familiar with what exit you need to take and when it’s coming up, then for me, I end up having to stay in the lane I was in and make a diversion because you barely have much time to make sudden lane changes safely.
I do that thing of sliding into roundabouts even if someone's coming as long as they're far enough away that I don't make them slow down. I haven't heard any horns yet so it seems to be alright!
I drive with the same philosophy. I feel like drivers behind me often get triggered. I think drivers in Poland also are more aggressive.
Using the brakes as little as possible and keeping in motion as much as possible is an entertaining way of driving. A little challenge to set oneself.
Another thing with this particular car is it's easy to think "I have an electric with regen. All you suckers in your petrol and diesel cars waste energy every time you have to speed up again!" Whilst regen isn't 100% efficient, it's better than the 0% efficiency of pads on discs as there is no way to refill the tank slightly. So really it's more about being courteous and not wasting other people's fuel by not holding momentum.
Talking about flow I'm not sure how the drivers are like there, but here in Canada most people are going full speed and then braking hard close to the intersection. They will sometimes either tailgate me or honk at me for slowing down way before. I just let the engine brake usually and downshift.
Inertia it is the big problem. As someone hitting OAP status it is a problem I am getting more aware of, even getting up out of a chair, urghrump 😀 Got to keep moving👍
Some people seem to have a kind of paranoia about some one being Infront, it some one can slip Infront of me ( a reasonable space)and I don't have to slow down or break I don't have any problem ,but others seem to have a kind of mental breakdown if anyone gets Infront 🤣😂
If it looks like someone has been waiting a while (and there are no cyclists and peds about who could get caught up) best to let them out (without a flash). This improves the flow. It could mean the driver does not get impatient and end up pulling out in a manor that is risky.
You make such a good point about so called fake badged cars. The M118D’s get me every time and you just know they’re going to be driven by absolute lemons most of the time.
Exactly how I drive!
3:20 It's true that you can often fit in some gaps without forcing anyone to change what they were doing but it is important to plan your route a lot further than just "I'll make that gap". Because you might take a gap that seemed OK but a car waiting to pull out on the roundabout in front of you may not expect you to go for it. If they do pull out in front of you, you end up having to brake and potentially cause issues with the car following you.
Basically, you should either be 100% that nothing can stop you from clearing the intersection or, that the car you pull out in front of has plenty of time to stop and not crash into you.
Also sometimes you do not cause a real inconvenience but it still feels a bit close for confort for other drivers.
Great video! I quite often wonder if drivers who seem to be taking space aren't even doing it deliberately. I see so many drivers who seem to just jump in a car, stare at the road 10ft ahead of them and engage autopilot (not the Tesla version). Very few drivers looking at the bigger picture.
As this video came out, I was driving (so not watching!). I was doing a right turn and decided an oncoming car was going a little too fast for me be happy that I could clear before it arrived.
He then flashed and slowed. A driver coming out of the road I was going into interpreted that as permission to go - despite me sitting waiting in the space where she was about to drive into!
I do not know if the oncoming driver was trying to communicate with me or with the emerging driver - but either way, it shows the risk of relying on the assumption that somebody in charge of another vehicle is telling you to do something.
Surprising doing a few small changes makes a big difference.
On the subject of how much power it takes to get a car moving versus just keeping up with the flow. By chance I was keeping an eye on the power consumption of my PHEV in pure electric mode today while I was driving. Gentle, really gentle, acceleration from a stop up to 30 mph was taking 20 to 40 kW depending on gradient, whereas just following along with the flow at 30 or 40 mph was using just 3 or 4 kW. Regeneration on braking was similar to acceleration but was, of course, going back _into_ the battery with a little loss on the round trip. If you're not driving an EV or hybrid all that energy from slowing down is just going to heat up your brakes.
Only thing with those "small gaps" is you've got to be certain there won't be something that means you have to slow or stop, e.g pedestrians across a side road, which is even more difficult since you have less time to think, experience required for sure.
I did drop you an email the subject of which would have fitted in perfect with this video. I was hoping it may have been included but great video as always anyway. (Yes I'm aware you must get thousands of emails and fully understand). 🤙
I like to help others or a collection of others so they don't need to loose their potential energy braking especially when it versus just mine.
It would make sense that the traffic light censors measure a three-four second gap before changing seeing as that is usually how long the amber light lasts. In America we mostly use the underground censors and most crossings are on a set time loop rather
just a note: people driving heavies would usually rather coast up to lights and then brake, rather than slowing early, which can leave them without sufficient momentum to get to the lights and then having to drop a gear and use throttle to keep moving. this most commonly happens on an upgrade coming to the lights.
and as for the gaps in roundabouts - Americans are especially triggered and in US dashcam videos, you often see them going out of their way to be affected by people crossing in front of them.
Shout out to the spider who guest stars from 5:02 to 5:32 🕷🕸 who else spotted it? ✊
Nope. Where is it? Had a look and still can't see it. Is it tiny?
@@margaretnicol3423 easiest time to spot is around 5:30 it crawls upwards on the front cam 👍
@@margaretnicol3423 It starts moving at 5.28
Ashley, I previously mentioned that I have worked in Road Safety for 30 years as n engineer/designer and this is exactly how I think when I'm driving. My friends and colleague call me driving Miss Daisy but I think I reach my destination in a good frame of mind after driving this way.
Yes I got called that by a visiting American friend. Totally agree with your comment. 👍
and how many people are you holding up
@@andrewthomas2406 l'm driving to the speed limit I'm not holding anyone up.
For those who think of driving like a race to beat other cars. Would you rather come in second place with a time of 10 minutes and 23 seconds, or first place with a time of 12 minutes and 17 seconds. Many people think "Ahaha I'm faster than that Ford I didn't let in" but stubbornness and space closing slows the road down, meaning you might have taken longer to get to your destination despite getting ahead of more cars, and really what's the point in that?
I do have a gripe about traffic lights. I would like to see a timer count down how much red/green time is left. If I see a green light I want to know whether it's going red in 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 5 seconds after the last car in the string (if sensor), or I have an entire minute. Also how fast should I drive up to a red to roll through the green? Have I got a 2 minutes of red, in which case driving at walking pace won't make me late. I mean I've had reds that were a distance away (thinking I'll coast up to them) go to green and back to red just as I get there.
I always use to say, "it's a bit like jungle warfare out there, but you must be able to see the attack coming ". It's what's known as "self preservation ". Always be prepared to compensate for other drivers mistakes.
Lovely video Ash. I have mentioned in the comments in other videos the technique of "controlling" other drivers. it's a subtle art, but can be very effective. I try to drive around without being notable. This selfless attitude to driving for the benefit of everyone which you have demonstrated could be applied to everything else in someone's life too.
Perhaps when you are doing these videos, you could pick out the good drivers around you and what they are doing right as an antidote to all the poor practices you highlight, there must be some in Liverpool.
One of the most common excuses I read on those American dashcam channels that provide an explanation by the cammer is: I couldn't stop, there was someone behind me. I wonder who teaches people that.
When there is say a line of 10 or more cars in front of you waiting to turn left or to go straight on coming up to a major roundabout and the right lane is to turn right only coming upto the roundabout with little or no cars in, i wonder how many of you go in the right lane only to get to the roundabout, go all the way around it and turn left or straight on past the queue of cars waiting to turn left or straight on.
I do this all the time and surprisingly not many drivers are aware of this little trick.
My bro told me this trick decades ago in which he is a very experienced motorbike rider.
I'd love to see a video with eye tracking, to see how far ahead you look, or where you look at what times etc
I have always said, the key to good driving is observation and attention. Of course, then acting upon what you see.
Sort of related to Best Flow is Smoothness. Many years ago, former racing driver Jackie Stewart came up with an idea called Formula Finesse. He had a Ford Sierra with a big dish mounted on the bonnet (hood) and a tennis ball on a string in the bowl. The idea was you had to drive around a twisty "figure of 8" closed circuit without knocking the ball out of the dish. The circuit was also timed, with Sir Jackie having set a benchmark time, so it wasn't just a case of driving as slowly as possible. It was a very good test of balancing smoothness with reasonable progress. Search YT for a video called "Behind the wheel with Jackie Stewart" and go to 43:25 in that video (not this one obviously). Actually the whole video is very interesting.
My driving instructor said I should be able to drive with a cup of water sitting on the dashboard. He must have been a fan of Jackie's. 😀
@@margaretnicol3423 I've seen the pint of beer on the bonnet too. Never tried it though.
Just watched this in your recommendation. Steve coogan could remake it, it was very seventies, very Partridge
When I was doing my driver training on epb s( southern region multiple units with an easy to use electro pneumatic brake and the harder to use Westinghouse air brake)
the instructor would say we’re doing this on auto brake and and stand the EP fuse upright on the desk in front of you. Right, I want nice smooth stops, dont knock that fucker over.
Great recommendation. I remember Jackie Stewarts 'Formula Finesse', he also covered the importance of driving smoothly in his book 'Principles of performance driving'. I used to practice the 'keeping your balls on the bonnet' approach.
I'll have a look at the video, and be reminded again of the brilliance of JYS. Thanks.
I’m not the perfect driver but every time I drive I always have the best traffic flow for everyone in my mind, I do things like slowing right down to a crawling speed when I see a red light so when it turns green I can keep the car moving and not arriving at the same time and at the same point as anyone else and never getting too close to the vehicle in front, I wish more people would drive like this but unfortunately many drivers out there don’t care how they drive, they just want to get to their destination as quickly as they possibly can, it used to make me angry but now I just laugh at them because they don’t understand that by keeping back from other vehicles and trying not to stop the car actually gets them to their destination a lot quicker but they think getting to the backside of another vehicle gets them to their destination faster 😂
You can get a 520d with an M Sport pack though, BMW 520d M Sport Touring.
It is an earlier generation so I can't check all the details, but the wheels check out. The chrome around the windows might not.
No M engine performance of course, and M520d fake badge.
Really looking forward to viewing this video Ash
Morning 🏆🥇🤗👏👏👏
@@Keithbarber Morning Keith
Good morning, gentlemen!
@@margaretnicol3423 At least you didn't comment "Good Morning gentlemen....and Ib S".
@@ibs5080 You're right.
When joining a queue at a busy junction where there are two lanes, it’s wise to watch the wheels of the traffic in the next lane, just in case someone decides to switch lanes without looking.. My car was rammed by a young woman who started moving into my lane without looking first.
I was taught (by IAM) to watch the wheels of vehicles on roundabouts as the first indication of an impending change of direction.
Applies in other circs, of course.
Quality video as always Ash. 👍
I may be a bit nit-picky though, but thoughts of the lane change at 10:45? I'm aware the crossing was clear and Ashley was moving the middle lane of three, but was half/half in the middle of lane change when the zig-zags came into effect. Could the move have been pulled off slightly earlier, as the white car in lane 2 did show good awareness and slowed a little when the signal was put on, or better yet delaying until after the crossing due to the uncertainty of others?
I was taught from a kid that if you make someone's brake lights come on then you're in the wrong!
Congrats on your ranking at Rate Driver !
Haha. Obviously someone I've upset 😂. Imagine if I did drive like that it would be everywhere online!
🤣 Not only is the content on that site drivel, so's the site generated content. Apparently according to them Ash drives a Yaris, and I drive a Discovery - both wrong and I think they cheaped out, or cheated, on their DVLA data feed. Still quite funny though, I was quite tempted to try and push Ash to No.1 worst driver with some carefully crafted remarks.