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Post by busoccultation on Aug 6, 2021 18:09:14 GMT
WH241 I have to give you credit for this thread. Something I felt that has not been discussed as much is the hard driving test centres to do your test. I don't know for the rest of the folk on here whether you live in London or out of London but I remembered 10 plus years ago of doing my lessons. My instructor actually told me Wanstead is one of the toughest places to pass your test. Especially that roundabout by Redbridge Station. Some have told me Enfield is another tricky place to pass. I'm not sure about Wood Green and Chingford though. Redbridge Roundabout is another of those nightmare places to drive in East London from my experience especially when coming from Redbridge Lane East to join the roundabout itself which really should have its own set of lights for to/from that and lane discipline on the roundabout is generally poor a lot of the time. The approach to the roundabout on the A12 from Wanstead tends to see a lot of people suddenly changing from the outer lane to join the A406/M11 at the last second and drivers cutting up each other is common on there all the time. |
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Post by MKAY315 on Aug 6, 2021 18:13:38 GMT
WH241 I have to give you credit for this thread. Something I felt that has not been discussed as much is the hard driving test centres to do your test. I don't know for the rest of the folk on here whether you live in London or out of London but I remembered 10 plus years ago of doing my lessons. My instructor actually told me Wanstead is one of the toughest places to pass your test. Especially that roundabout by Redbridge Station. Some have told me Enfield is another tricky place to pass. I'm not sure about Wood Green and Chingford though. Thanks! I failed my test at Wanstead back in 2003 I can't recall what I failed on though. I passed in Barking that was a pretty tough test as things were not much different to now in terms of traffic and busy junctions around Ilford Lane. Strangely enough a few of my friends who passed in Barking told me it was a breeze to pass there. Hornchurch and Goodmayes were decent places to do your test at as well |
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Post by MKAY315 on Aug 6, 2021 18:14:57 GMT
WH241 I have to give you credit for this thread. Something I felt that has not been discussed as much is the hard driving test centres to do your test. I don't know for the rest of the folk on here whether you live in London or out of London but I remembered 10 plus years ago of doing my lessons. My instructor actually told me Wanstead is one of the toughest places to pass your test. Especially that roundabout by Redbridge Station. Some have told me Enfield is another tricky place to pass. I'm not sure about Wood Green and Chingford though. Redbridge Roundabout is another of those nightmare places to drive in East London from my experience especially when coming from Redbridge Lane East to join the roundabout itself which really should have its own set of lights for to/from that and lane discipline on the roundabout is generally poor a lot of the time. The approach to the roundabout on the A12 from Wanstead tends to see a lot of people suddenly changing from the outer lane to join the A406/M11 at the last second and drivers cutting up each other is common on there all the time. Exactly that. The 66, 366 and 145 bus drivers must be made of steel because to be able to do that roundabout day and in out. Hats off to them |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Aug 6, 2021 18:23:28 GMT
WH241 I have to give you credit for this thread. Something I felt that has not been discussed as much is the hard driving test centres to do your test. I don't know for the rest of the folk on here whether you live in London or out of London but I remembered 10 plus years ago of doing my lessons. My instructor actually told me Wanstead is one of the toughest places to pass your test. Especially that roundabout by Redbridge Station. Some have told me Enfield is another tricky place to pass. I'm not sure about Wood Green and Chingford though. Redbridge Roundabout is another of those nightmare places to drive in East London from my experience especially when coming from Redbridge Lane East to join the roundabout itself which really should have its own set of lights for to/from that and lane discipline on the roundabout is generally poor a lot of the time. The approach to the roundabout on the A12 from Wanstead tends to see a lot of people suddenly changing from the outer lane to join the A406/M11 at the last second and drivers cutting up each other is common on there all the time. I don't think the Redbridge Roundabout is bad, it's quite self explanatory to negotiate and follows simple roundabout rules. If you stick to the lanes you go to the exit you want, the Beckton roundabout the lanes are more so for decoration while the roundabout under the Barking flyover is a disaster zone as there's yellow boxes everywhere. |
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Post by ronnie on Aug 6, 2021 18:36:49 GMT
Fully agree and it’s a topic close to heart (have been driving for just over 2 years now so “fresh” views from me!)
A13 is definitely the worst (beats even the A406 which is 2nd). The whole of east London in general is quite poor but the A13 takes the cake for sure. Almost ironical because almost as soon as you cross the M25 it becomes fairly tranquil
I have seen such lousy driving on the A13 that it’s just impossible to describe. Lane change without signals, overspending, weaving, tailgaiting etc is common but there have been a few fairly dangerous ones:
- eastbound at the Gale street junction once I was in the middle lane, a car went from the outside lane straight onto the exit at Gale street! All of this happened at around the 50mph mark!
- westbound just before the Canning Town flyover where the speed limit all of a sudden drops from 50 to 30, I have had at times people coming up so fast behind me abs then somehow swinging out of the way. I always make it a point to move onto the inside lanes beforehand
But even leaving these aside - there is a general drop in standards. Take motorway driving - esp on the M25 you will get so many road hogs. The 1st lane remains empty (some stigma attached to it as it is only supposed to br used by slow lorry drivers!) and you get a few odd vehicles in the 2nd lane, then the 3rd lane is the most crowded as everyone tries to stick to the limit on that lane! So one is forced to go to the outermost lane to overtake all the time. Last weekend I think I overtook (undertook!) 30+ cars (all in lane 3 and some in lane 2) between J8 and J9 of the M25 while I was driving in the innermost lane just below the speed limit! The inside lane was completely empty, and the 3rd lane seemed to be like barking road, so many cars were on it
I have now also had cars changing lanes on motorways without indicating (a black cab did it last Saturday on the M25 forcing me to change my maneouvre). It’s getting lousy and dangerous frankly
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Post by 725DYE on Aug 6, 2021 19:06:32 GMT
I'll tell you what gets me - people who drive well under the speed limit when there's no bloody reason for it! If it is a minor-worthy offence in a driving exam1 then why on Earth do I end up seeing it all the time. Croydon Lane between Banstead and Woodmansterne is always terrible for it. In a day and age where 40 mph roads are so difficult to come by, it really is shocking to see how many people travel up and down that road at 25 mph. It's also one of that roads which has speed camera signs even though there aren't any speed cameras just to make people fear getting caught speeding. I also detest the fact that they put buses on the 166 which travel along there that are incapable of getting anywhere close to the limit.
1 If I recall correctly from my driving lesson days, it's formally called not making proper progress or words to that effect.
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Post by WH241 on Aug 6, 2021 19:15:07 GMT
WH241 I have to give you credit for this thread. Something I felt that has not been discussed as much is the hard driving test centres to do your test. I don't know for the rest of the folk on here whether you live in London or out of London but I remembered 10 plus years ago of doing my lessons. My instructor actually told me Wanstead is one of the toughest places to pass your test. Especially that roundabout by Redbridge Station. Some have told me Enfield is another tricky place to pass. I'm not sure about Wood Green and Chingford though. Redbridge Roundabout is another of those nightmare places to drive in East London from my experience especially when coming from Redbridge Lane East to join the roundabout itself which really should have its own set of lights for to/from that and lane discipline on the roundabout is generally poor a lot of the time. The approach to the roundabout on the A12 from Wanstead tends to see a lot of people suddenly changing from the outer lane to join the A406/M11 at the last second and drivers cutting up each other is common on there all the time. That roundabout is a nightmare! As you say It's really difficult exiting Redbridge Lane especially if you want to join the A406 towards Ilford there never seems to be a gap in traffic and if you do get out you end up with cars trying to exit towards the A12. Talking of roundabouts people seem completely stumped by mini roundabouts where everyone comes to a stop. A classic one local to me in Tollgate Road at the junction of Stansfield Road!
Another bug of mine is where people won't queue in the correct lane if traffic is heavy instead try and cut in at the top / Traffic Lights. Some examples of this are Blackwall Tunnel East India Dock Road and the A13 Beckton slip road exit (Had so many near misses here where cars come to a stop in the 50mph inside lane of the Beckton flyover trying to cut the line.
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Post by WH241 on Aug 6, 2021 19:21:35 GMT
Redbridge Roundabout is another of those nightmare places to drive in East London from my experience especially when coming from Redbridge Lane East to join the roundabout itself which really should have its own set of lights for to/from that and lane discipline on the roundabout is generally poor a lot of the time. The approach to the roundabout on the A12 from Wanstead tends to see a lot of people suddenly changing from the outer lane to join the A406/M11 at the last second and drivers cutting up each other is common on there all the time. I don't think the Redbridge Roundabout is bad, it's quite self explanatory to negotiate and follows simple roundabout rules. If you stick to the lanes you go to the exit you want, the Beckton roundabout the lanes are more so for decoration while the roundabout under the Barking flyover is a disaster zone as there's yellow boxes everywhere. You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching!
PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout - its awful 
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Post by MKAY315 on Aug 6, 2021 19:25:48 GMT
I don't think the Redbridge Roundabout is bad, it's quite self explanatory to negotiate and follows simple roundabout rules. If you stick to the lanes you go to the exit you want, the Beckton roundabout the lanes are more so for decoration while the roundabout under the Barking flyover is a disaster zone as there's yellow boxes everywhere. You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching!
PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout its awful
Oh my. The amount of near misses on that roundabout. So many people fall for the give way trap displayed on the road and the side. |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Aug 6, 2021 19:32:24 GMT
You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching!
PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout its awful
Oh my. The amount of near misses on that roundabout. So many people fall for the give way trap displayed on the road and the side. Oh yes, this roundabout is one I deal with almost every time I drive. When approaching it from St Paul's Road I often have my hand on the horn ready. Down Gascoigne Road you also have a weird case of two contraflows, but the priority on both of them lies facing south when convention is usually to allow one contraflow to prioritise one direction and another to prioritise the other to allow an even flow of cars. |
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Post by snowman on Aug 6, 2021 19:40:44 GMT
I don't think the Redbridge Roundabout is bad, it's quite self explanatory to negotiate and follows simple roundabout rules. If you stick to the lanes you go to the exit you want, the Beckton roundabout the lanes are more so for decoration while the roundabout under the Barking flyover is a disaster zone as there's yellow boxes everywhere. You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching! PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout - its awful
If you think that Barking roundabout is odd, you should try driving on the magic roundabout at Swindon. It is 5 mini-roundabouts around another so can go clockwise on outer lanes (as normal), or counter-clockwise around the central roundabout (opposite to normal), of which there are upto 4 lanes imgur.com/gallery/OQaDN/comment/550966225Apparently it’s 4th scariest junction in UK to drive through (but I don’t know what top 3 are) |
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Post by MKAY315 on Aug 6, 2021 19:43:34 GMT
You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching! PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout - its awful
If you think that Barking roundabout is odd, you should try driving on the magic roundabout at Swindon. It is 5 mini-roundabouts around another so can go clockwise on outer lanes (as normal), or counter-clockwise around the central roundabout (opposite to normal), of which there are upto 4 lanes imgur.com/gallery/OQaDN/comment/550966225Apparently it’s 4th scariest junction in UK to drive through (but I don’t know what top 3 are) As Adrian Dunbar famously said. Jesus Mary Joseph and the wee donkey. Good Lord!!!!!!! |
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Post by DT 11 on Aug 6, 2021 20:01:20 GMT
Has anyone notice the standard of driving has really dropped recently? I know the A13 is mentioned a lot on the forum but I'm talking in general. I have been off work this week so driving a bit more than usual and it seems a red signal no longer means stop instead 2- 3 maybe even 4 more cars keep going. I even had a lorry jump a light at Beckton and take a tight turn towards me meaning I had to stop on a green signal. Things seem to have got worse after the first lockdown when people treated the roads like a personal go kart track.
It's not just traffic lights its things like not using the correct lane on roundabouts and cutting in on dual carriage ways without signalling.
I’m not surprised to hear this. I was discussing with colleagues the same thing. Completely agree with you on Red Lights. I’ve seen road users overtake stationary vehicles who have stopped at the red light numerous times recently… The filter lights on Westcombe Hill I saw a car turn left into there when it’s buses only and I’ve even seen Cars run the red light there when it’s Green for Buses, if anyone doesn’t know what I’m referring too 108 286 335 422 go through. Using the correct lanes no longer means anything to some road users either can almost predict what some road users will do. Doing route 160 heading to Catford in June I saw several cars at the same time use the ahead and left turn only lane to turn right onto the A20 completely blocking the traffic that want to go straight ahead. Verdant Lane turning into St Mildred’s Road is another one, so funny watching traffic use the ahead and left turn only to turn right and having to slam there brakes and nearly crash into that Antiques shop window… Speeding is a lot more common now too and also tailgating. |
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Post by thesquirrels on Aug 6, 2021 20:11:52 GMT
You have reminded me about the mad roundabout in Barking where cars on the roundabout have to stop give way to cars approaching! PS I have to say I strongly disagree about Redbridge roundabout - its awful
If you think that Barking roundabout is odd, you should try driving on the magic roundabout at Swindon. It is 5 mini-roundabouts around another so can go clockwise on outer lanes (as normal), or counter-clockwise around the central roundabout (opposite to normal), of which there are upto 4 lanes imgur.com/gallery/OQaDN/comment/550966225Apparently it’s 4th scariest junction in UK to drive through (but I don’t know what top 3 are) There's a similar junction in Hemel that I drive through occasionally. I consider myself an experienced driver but my brain just does a big fart every time I get near it. Have shot off on the wrong road more than once. Sure if I was a local/regular, like any of these junctions, it would be much less daunting. |
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Post by thesquirrels on Aug 6, 2021 21:54:37 GMT
Fully agree and it’s a topic close to heart (have been driving for just over 2 years now so “fresh” views from me!) A13 is definitely the worst (beats even the A406 which is 2nd). The whole of east London in general is quite poor but the A13 takes the cake for sure. Almost ironical because almost as soon as you cross the M25 it becomes fairly tranquil I have seen such lousy driving on the A13 that it’s just impossible to describe. Lane change without signals, overspending, weaving, tailgaiting etc is common but there have been a few fairly dangerous ones: - eastbound at the Gale street junction once I was in the middle lane, a car went from the outside lane straight onto the exit at Gale street! All of this happened at around the 50mph mark! - westbound just before the Canning Town flyover where the speed limit all of a sudden drops from 50 to 30, I have had at times people coming up so fast behind me abs then somehow swinging out of the way. I always make it a point to move onto the inside lanes beforehand But even leaving these aside - there is a general drop in standards. Take motorway driving - esp on the M25 you will get so many road hogs. The 1st lane remains empty (some stigma attached to it as it is only supposed to br used by slow lorry drivers!) and you get a few odd vehicles in the 2nd lane, then the 3rd lane is the most crowded as everyone tries to stick to the limit on that lane! So one is forced to go to the outermost lane to overtake all the time. Last weekend I think I overtook (undertook!) 30+ cars (all in lane 3 and some in lane 2) between J8 and J9 of the M25 while I was driving in the innermost lane just below the speed limit! The inside lane was completely empty, and the 3rd lane seemed to be like barking road, so many cars were on it I have now also had cars changing lanes on motorways without indicating (a black cab did it last Saturday on the M25 forcing me to change my maneouvre). It’s getting lousy and dangerous frankly Similarly 'fresh' here having passed my test at the beginning of 2019, at the tender age of 32. I picked a driving school close to my office, deep in zone 1 - my first roundabout lesson was around the Museum of London roundabout and St. Paul's gyratory! The nearest test centre to home was Wood Green, which had recently been given the unfortunate accolade of having the highest failure rate in the country, so I took some advice and selected Hendon for my test instead, which has a slightly better standard of driving and more forgiving routes. A typical lesson in the last three months or so would involve my instructor meeting me at Seven Sisters (he lived in Walthamstow and I was his first pupil of the day), us driving up through Muswell Hill to the A406, along to Henly's Corner, then up the A1 to Hendon/Mill Hill where we would practice some test routes then drive down the A41 back to West Hampstead before diving into some backroute runs through Hampstead and Kentish Town back to Bloomsbury. It was a great variety of routes and did get me confident on busy inner London roads and three lanes of 50mph dual carriageway, which would be handy for the sort of drives I'd end up doing once qualified. I was a nervous test pupil but did pass first time with a forgiving route on the day and no visit to Apex Corner! Three days after passing I jumped on a train to Peterborough and gave someone over ten years younger than me about month's wages in cash for a car which I then drove home down the A1, solo, in a torrential storm. I've found that different parts of the country have different 'antisocial' driving elements and surprise hazards. The things that come up in this thread - overall poor roadcraft, speeding, erratic lane changes, seem especially to be a London/SE thing, but also common in most other large urban areas. Birmingham is probably the scariest city I've driven in, as the motorway-style grade separated junctions run right through to the centre and you have to know your lane and be ready to change lanes with confidence, else you end up on a flyover sailing away from your intended destination at the skip of a beat. Inner city Birmingham has some of the highest insurance premiums in the UK because of the state of the driving there, as well as vehicle crime. Up the country, much of the A1 through the East of England is two lanes and very heavily used by lorries from the container ports (Felixstowe, Tilbury, Thamesport) to the North/NW of the country - here you will get lorries in both lanes as one attempts to overtake another at 0.5mph difference. At times of the day/week lorries will constitute over 50% of the traffic and the drivers do think they run the show - it is their working day. It is also the working day of the 12mph tractor that pulls out from a side road at the first sign of a gap! I'm often tailgated on rural roads where local drivers know the corners and passing points well, but I don't. In turn, there are rural routes in Bucks/Herts where I can find myself up the tail of a less confident/familiar driver and have to check myself to hang back and give some room. It is called courtesy. Within London, I do think the standard of driving on the A13 is probably the poorest of the bunch, with the A406 slightly behind, while the A40 and A4 tend to be OK, if not examplar. Nasty junctions like Hanger Lane tend to be OK as long as you commit to the best lane well in advance, stick to it and keep an eye out for anyone trying to cut over. I do consider myself a fairly brisk driver, though (within legal limits) which might ward off some chancers. The tossers were in force when I qualified, all my experience has done is open my eyes to the extent of it, IMO. |
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