Cutting corners when driving

[Ken H]

When I was taught to drive long ago, I was taught to use the whole road. Including cutting corners on bends when you can see clearly its safe to do so. And is legal (not crossing solid white lines)

So why do so many carefully stick to the left, never going over the centre line?
It is slower, and more wear and tear on their car, and a rougher ride for their passengers.

 

[birchesgreen]

Who taught you to drive? Evel Kinevel?

 

[Ken H]

Who taught you to drive? Evel Kinevel?

ex plod

 

[Mcr Warrior]

When I was taught to drive long ago, I was taught to use the whole road. Including cutting corners on bends when you can see clearly its safe to do so. And is legal (not crossing solid white lines)

So why do so many carefully stick to the left, never going over the centre line?
It is slower, and more wear and tear on their car, and a rougher ride for their passengers.

If by "cutting corners" are you talking about turning left, as the Highway Code states that when turning, you should keep as close to the left as is safe and practicable.

If turning right, the Highway Code states taking up a position just left of the middle of the road or in the space marked for traffic turning right and when you do make the move, do not cut the corner!

Otherwise, the Highway Code states keep to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

Therefore, not quite sure what point you're endeavouring to make, or why.

You're not now a BMW driver by any chance, are you?

 

[jfollows]

ex plod

I went on a driving course when I was at work, and it was given by a former policeman, and I came away with two significant changes for the better in my driving:
1. I paid for the whole road, so use it when it makes sense. As you say, many drivers appear unable to cross the centre line even when doing things like overtaking cyclists.
2. Distance. In moving and stationary traffic.
I'm a better driver for it. I wasn't taught to use the whole road but I learned that I should have been.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2022 ==

"Cutting corners" I interpret as moving to the right of the road when approaching a left-hand bend to be able to see further ahead than otherwise. Road markings, conditions and other traffic permitting, of course.

 

[jamesontheroad]

I think this is open to misinterpretation. But learning to drive in the late nineties I was taught by an experienced instructor that if you’re on an empty road and you can definitively see both lanes far enough ahead, it’s ok to cross the dividing line through open corners or bends. Doing so reduces the need to steer excessively and allows for a more stable ride.

 

[yorkie]

I don't see a problem if there is genuinely and definitely no other traffic around, but I am fed up of people cutting corners and getting very close to me when I am waiting to turn right into a road.

Some of them seem to act as if I shouldn't be taking up that position and should be to the left of the road, so that they can cut the corner even more (yet traffic coming from my direction turning left would disagree, I am sure!)

 

[jfollows]

I don't see a problem if there is genuinely and definitely no other traffic around, but I am fed up of people cutting corners and getting very close to me when I am waiting to turn right into a road.

Some of them seem to act as if I shouldn't be taking up that position and should be to the left of the road, so that they can cut the corner even more (yet traffic coming from my direction turning left would disagree, I am sure!)

I agree, I see this a lot and it's incompetent driving and annoying if I'm the one approaching the junction preparing to stop and someone effectively drives into my safety zone. Actually it happens so much that I tend to anticipate it and so there's no danger any more, but I'm now compensating for their bad driving. Definitely not what I would call acceptable "cutting corners" at all. My horn often gets used which I know isn't the right thing to do, but it makes me feel better!

 

[Gloster]

Having recently restarted driving regularly after quite a few years when I hardly did any, I have noticed one habit that, although not new, seems to be much more common. People who are turning right into a side-road have a habit of starting the turn early and taking a wide swing. This puts their car right across the part of the carriageway where a car exiting the road, particularly if it wants to go right, will be. If the view to its left is blocked by buildings, just as the car is slowing down to stop at the main road, the driver finds a car completely blocking his/her side of the road. Some do this so badly that they are not just skimming the edge of the opposite carriageway, but have their car completely within it.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I think this is open to misinterpretation. But learning to drive in the late nineties I was taught by an experienced instructor that if you’re on an empty road and you can definitively see both lanes far enough ahead, it’s ok to cross the dividing line through open corners or bends. Doing so reduces the need to steer excessively and allows for a more stable ride.

I agree and still do that even now and I am 65 and not a boy racer.

 

[Grumpy Git]

I think this is open to misinterpretation. But learning to drive in the late nineties I was taught by an experienced instructor that if you’re on an empty road and you can definitively see both lanes far enough ahead, it’s ok to cross the dividing line through open corners or bends. Doing so reduces the need to steer excessively and allows for a more stable ride.

This 100%

Particularly enjoyable on a twisty A road on a bike, (motorcycle).

 

[Bertie the bus]

It isn’t cutting corners, it is straightening corners. Unfortunately these days it is difficult to do because if you are the sort of driver who does it you are likely to catch plodders very quickly and just end up following them at stupidly low speeds on 60 mph roads for miles. It’s very difficult to enjoy driving these days.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think this is open to misinterpretation. But learning to drive in the late nineties I was taught by an experienced instructor that if you’re on an empty road and you can definitively see both lanes far enough ahead, it’s ok to cross the dividing line through open corners or bends. Doing so reduces the need to steer excessively and allows for a more stable ride.

That’s exactly what I was taught in the 70s, and I still do it if the road is clear. I think I’d only consider it on a “bend or curve” rather than an actual sharp corner.

On the other hand people who take the wrong line at a junction with another road (as mentioned earlier), are definitely doing it wrong…

 

[thejuggler]

Straightening corners is an advanced police driving technique.

By all means try it, but only after you have done the rest of the course to understand how to do it properly, how it fits with the rest of the system they learn and the consequences of getting it wrong.

 

[AlterEgo]

ex plod

Says it all. Police officers drive to cut corners to chase people.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Police officers drive to cut corners to chase people.

So a pursuit driving technique for suitably trained police vehicle drivers, but depending on the circumstances, likely to be inappropriate for ordinary members of the public?

 

[Cowley]

Straightening corners is an advanced police driving technique.

By all means try it, but only after you have done the rest of the course to understand how to do it properly, how it fits with the rest of the system they learn and the consequences of getting it wrong.

I must say that I tend to stick to my lane even if there’s nobody around.
Down my way the roads are fairly twisty and you just don’t know who’s belting along in the other direction or about to pull out of a field gateway in massive unforgiving tractor.

At least if you’re doing your bit right you’ve taken care of what you can actually be in control of.

 

[ainsworth74]

So a pursuit driving technique for suitably trained police vehicle drivers, but depending on the circumstances, likely to be inappropriate for ordinary members of the public?

Hardly. My instructor was ex-Royal Navy and he taught me similar to that being discussed above. Smoothing a corner by crossing into the other lane when clear isn't a "pursuit driving technique". I'm sure it's used during a pursuit but it isn't only for that.

 

[Dai Corner]

I'd say that provided your observation, hazard perception and anticipation are up to scratch it's the right thing to do. Indeed, failing to do so and making needlessly slow progress can frustrate drivers behind you who may be tempted to overtake unsafely.

 

[AlterEgo]

So a pursuit driving technique for suitably trained police vehicle drivers, but depending on the circumstances, likely to be inappropriate for ordinary members of the public?

Yes. It’s just teaching a bad habit for normal road users. Safe for advanced drivers, but probably not something you want to get accustomed to.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2022 ==

Hardly. My instructor was ex-Royal Navy and he taught me similar to that being discussed above. Smoothing a corner by crossing into the other lane when clear isn't a "pursuit driving technique". I'm sure it's used during a pursuit but it isn't only for that.

Crossing into another lane because it *appears* clear because you’re too lazy to take the corner properly is asking for trouble.

 

[Bertie the bus]

So a pursuit driving technique for suitably trained police vehicle drivers, but depending on the circumstances, likely to be inappropriate for ordinary members of the public?

Overtaking on a single carriageway road can also be inappropriate, and extremely dangerous, depending on circumstances but if you are a competent driver in other circumstances it can be totally safe. Exactly the same with straightening corners. If you do it when another car is approaching you are an idiot. if you do it with a good line of sight when nothing is approaching it is perfectly safe.

Overtaking is another tactic used in police pursuits so does that mean us mere mortals shouldn't do that either?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Overtaking is another tactic used in police pursuits so does that mean us mere mortals shouldn't do that either?

Depends, of course, on the circumstances, but not if it can't be done safely and certainly not if you have to cross or straddle double white lines with an unbroken line nearest to you, or are in the zig-zag section of a pedestrian crossing.

 

[zwk500]

Given how rare the opportunities to safely 'straighten' a corner are seem to be nowadays, and the risks of getting it wrong I'd say it's not something that should be routinely taught to new drivers. I certainly was taught not to go over the centreline when learning c.10 years ago (I was also taught not to cut the give-way lines at T-junctions as well).

On an advanced driving course after some experience, it's maybe worth a mention but the gains have to be pretty marginal unless you've got a quite specific road or driving style.

 

[Gloster]

It may be that people get into the habit of smoothing the corner and it becomes their default behaviour, rather than something that is only adopted after the driver has specifically assessed the situation and considered it appropriate. Close to my house there is a descent on a right-hand curve that leads straight on to a straight bridge with fairly high side-walls, which from certain angles can obscure oncoming traffic. I don’t know how many times I have seen cars coming over the bridge brake because a car coming down the hill has strayed over the white line or a car descending the hill has to make a small swerve because they realise they are too far over.

 

[ComUtoR]

Overtaking is another tactic used in police pursuits so does that mean us mere mortals shouldn't do that either?

Flashy blue lights and a siren tend to ensure the car in front pulls over and oncoming traffic is sufficiently warned.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It may be that people get into the habit of smoothing the corner and it becomes their default behaviour, rather than something that is only adopted after the driver has specifically assessed the situation and considered it appropriate. Close to my house there is a descent on a right-hand curve that leads straight on to a straight bridge with fairly high side-walls, which from certain angles can obscure oncoming traffic. I don’t know how many times I have seen cars coming over the bridge brake because a car coming down the hill has strayed over the white line or a car descending the hill has to make a small swerve because they realise they are too far over.

Observance at all times should be default behaviour, of course.

I see no problem with it provided you are sure there is nobody it can adversely affect. I do get bored of people straightlining roundabouts in MK when I am there and affected, though.

 

[High Dyke]

Flashy blue lights and a siren tend to ensure the car in front pulls over and oncoming traffic is sufficiently warned.

Not always. Sometimes the car in front is trying to evade the one with the flashing blue lights & siren.

As someone mentioned, it's also about hazard perception and observation. Far too many times I've seen motorists overtake at inappropriate locations, I'm probably guilty of it myself. My real bugbear are those that cut the corner when turning right, into a junction. That is probably not what the OP was referring to though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As someone mentioned, it's also about hazard perception and observation. Far too many times I've seen motorists overtake at inappropriate locations, I'm probably guilty of it myself. My real bugbear are those that cut the corner when turning right, into a junction. That is probably not what the OP was referring to though.

That isn't an issue if you can see for definite that nobody is there or approaching, but I get fed up of the number of times I've almost had my nose/front bike wheel taken off by people doing it.

The problem is people who don't see the Highway Code rule about not causing another vehicle/bicycle/pedestrian to have to change speed or direction or choose to ignore it.

 

[ainsworth74]

Crossing into another lane because it *appears* clear because you’re too lazy to take the corner properly is asking for trouble.

Which is why I would only do it (and was only taught to do it) on curves where you can clearly *see* that the other lane is clear. The reality is that the opportunities for doing so are quite limited, I can only think of one or two places local to me where there is good enough sight lines for it to be safe to do so. That being said I don't have any issue with drivers who say it just isn't for them full stop but equally lets not pretend that it's some sort of specialist "police pursuit" technique!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which is why I would only do it (and was only taught to do it) on curves where you can clearly *see* that the other lane is clear. The reality is that the opportunities for doing so are quite limited, I can only think of one or two places local to me where there is good enough sight lines for it to be safe to do so. That being said I don't have any issue with drivers who say it just isn't for them full stop but equally lets not pretend that it's some sort of specialist "police pursuit" technique!

Not only that the other lane is clear, but that there's no vehicle behind which may choose to start an overtake. A right hand bend with good visibility is ripe for corner-cutting, but it can also be an excellent place to start an overtake because visibility is so good.