NewNiceMrMe Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 This follows a discussion between myself and my wife. I drive to the kerb, as does she. However, I know a few people who were taught, by their instructers, to drive to the white line. i.e. closer to the kerb or closer to the white line, or what you use as the angle of judgement. You? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Hmmm, this could be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I assume you mean road positioning when just normally driving along. As per IAM training, I go wherever gives me maximum visibility. So negotiating a left hand bend I'll move out towards the white line, for a right hand bend I'll move in towards the kerb. On a straight, reasonably central I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I voted kerb, but I try to stay roughly in the middle of both. Unless there's a white line painted away from the kerb as there are on some wide single carriageway roads, then I try to stick in the middle of the white lines, if you know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I was thinking more of when you were taught to drive. Most instructors tend to give a point of reference as the kerb or the white line - and I just wondered who had been taught what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sufu Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Kerb personally, but i was taught that when i was learning, and the majority of it was at night in winter, so it was easier to see that than to try keep an eye on the centre white lines hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 In a straight line then I'll position myself by the white line, generally as close to the centre of my lane as possible. Around a corner I try and take a wider entry and 'apex' nearer the white line, assuming I can see that theres nothing coming the other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewcam Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 On a normal straight road to the white line. Right hand corner approaching to the kerb. Left hand corner to the white line. Approaching junctions, pedestrians on path etc to the white line. The first 3 are for seeing as much of the road ahead as poss. The last one is purely defensive driving, as at junctions you never know what might suprise you coming out of a junction and they can see you much quicker while they are waiting. As for pedestriens on the path that is just thinking of their safety Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I was thinking more of when you were taught to drive. Most instructors tend to give a point of reference as the kerb or the white line - and I just wondered who had been taught what. [/ QUOTE ] Ah. Er. I can't remember! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 The white line. I drive more to the right of the lane I am in normally, further towards the white line than the kerb. I find this gives me more options. At night I follow the cats eyes. 50/50 split on the poll at present! Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewcam Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] On a normal straight road to the white line. Right hand corner approaching to the kerb. Left hand corner to the white line. Approaching junctions, pedestrians on path etc to the white line. The first 3 are for seeing as much of the road ahead as poss. The last one is purely defensive driving, as at junctions you never know what might suprise you coming out of a junction and they can see you much quicker while they are waiting. As for pedestriens on the path that is just thinking of their safety [/ QUOTE ] Ahh yes this is how i was tought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Normally understeering towards the grass and then trying to keep it somewhere next to the white line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I don't think I was really taught to use either method beyond "See that white line? Don't cross over it! ". I think I use the white line more than the kerb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5to1 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I was taught your point of reference should be whatevers consistant and nearest to you in your direct field of vision. Hence its generally the white line. I could see the logic behind it. When I drive a left hand drive in the UK (or the other way around on the continent) it switches to the Kerb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 If you drive to the white line and it is one of those tiny country roads, you may kerb your alloys. Or if you were in a wide vehicle same thing might happen. Got to be kerb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I think it comes down to general perception, I don't constantly think 'must stick to the white line', I just think I probably use that as my main reference point, but it can vary with the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If you drive to the white line and it is one of those tiny country roads, you may kerb your alloys. Or if you were in a wide vehicle same thing might happen. Got to be kerb. [/ QUOTE ] Most small lanes don't even have a white line... then I'll drive straight down the middle if I can see it's clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I was thinking more of when you were taught to drive. [/ QUOTE ] I can't remember back to 1970! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I assume you mean road positioning when just normally driving along. As per IAM training, I go wherever gives me maximum visibility. So negotiating a left hand bend I'll move out towards the white line, for a right hand bend I'll move in towards the kerb. On a straight, reasonably central I guess. [/ QUOTE ] Me too (but I don't have IAM. [ QUOTE ] I was thinking more of when you were taught to drive. [/ QUOTE ] You expect me to remember that long ago (21 years) ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I was taught to drive in the middle of the road, bang on. However all cars, including the mini I've kept to the center when straight or going around a left hand bend and to the kerb when going around to the right, even more so in the mini as it gives you so much more visibility and a tighter turn in if required. Just because you get a good racing line has nothing to do with it Lets face it, I take up half of most of my side of the road when I'm about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32Ash Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 On corners: front end on the white line, rear in the gutter (eyes shut). To answer the question though, on straights I try to keep slightly closer to the kerb than to oncoming traffic - the kerb is stationary so unlikely to do anything irational, being my reasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I also take the IAM way of cornering to give the best view. When going straight I'm normally central between the line and kerb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I generally drive using the full width of the road. Thus when approaching a left hand bend in the distance i will pull right over to the right hand side to give better visibility around the bend. However if i am driving in an area where there are potential hazards i will drive away from the kerb (i.e exits from side roads etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brisel Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I use the full width, depending on visibility etc. I avoid the kerb - on most country roads the nearside road edge is normally too rough & damaged anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I wasn't taught to use either so I use both road edge and centre line continuously as I drive. This is particularly necessary on country B-roads around here. I never cross the centre line except when overtaking - Around here you would end up dead very quickly cos there are too many blind bits in both dips and hidden corners and wide vehicles travelling the opposite way. If you are driving so fast that your car needs to cross the line then you are clearly driving too fast for two-way traffic conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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