In urban or suburban areas most driving decisions are made for people either by the trail of traffic in front or on the rare occasion roads are quiet, by multiple road signs, markings and lights warning, advising and enforcing. Their concentration may well be almost entirely centred on these things, rather than controlling a vehicle safely.
The unknown, 'open' road without many instructions can be very challenging indeed for those who don't learn much beyond their test, only made worse by some with barely higher abilities jostling on their tail, unable to overtake. The English do seem to have forgotten how to overtake well, probably because of our small, crowded roads.
It does seem some struggle to process what's happening ahead when approaching anything which isn't travelling at their speed, as described above. Many are as inept at overtaking slow motorists, actually firightened of doing so.Phil Fouracre wrote: ↑3 Jul 2022, 11:47am Cycling along an open, reasonably wide straight country road, no other traffic in sight, car followed me for the best part of half a mile, then overtook as we approached a bend! Now, not so worried about the road safety issue, more, why were they doing it? The longer it went on the more disconcerting it was.
Sometimes you can feel the high blood pressure of those in a long queue which has developed behind one hesitant driver. I've had more than one driver who tries to take out his frustration by passing dangerously close. I'm usually aware of this in the mirror, so can minimise the risks.
I've noticed extra care and attention taken by overtaking vehicles since the news of the driver who was fined for passing too close and the revised HC, at some point this should enter drivers' subconcious and some of the longer queues behind cyclists I'm seeing at the moment will subside, hopefully without resorting to the close passes of the past. Minis can be lethal when driven by someone more concerned with chatting on the phone and what makeup to wear, but it's white VW Golfs and Seats I look out for - they do seem to be unduly careless.