Clash of the titans. .

[Lord Voltermore]

I was stopped in the nearside lane, first in line at a red traffic light. A car stopped in the  lane next to me.   A lane that ends shortly after the lights, merging into mine.    I assumed he intended  to beat my Jazz away from the lights, in a typical  "' Out of my way peasant  , my car is more dominant and therefore so am I"  attitude. 

I thought  "Stand by to be humiliated"     In a totally safe and legal way of course  with my usual mature attitude.     

As we moved off I realised it was a Jazz Crosstar !  It would have been a clash of the titans. 

 No broad grin for me this time .     But 300 metres later at a large roundabout  I once again fell in love with the benefits  of the Mk4's  excellent torque   Way beyond what you would normally expect from a car of this size and 'type'.   

[ColinB]

I'm starting to see examples of poor driving on the part of EV drivers. Typically, this involves exploiting the torque of the motor to accelerate hard up to way above the legal limit in order to overtake in a location that, for an ICE car, would not be safe because it couldn't accelerate in that way. Is this safe? It doesn't look it and is quite alarming if you're the one being overtaken or you're the oncoming car. Seen this several times now, it's always a big electric SUV.

[Lord Voltermore]

I do think that all drivers, and pedestrians  , need to be aware of the potential for EV's (and hybrids) to accelerate much more rapidly than they expect. More like a Ferrari of yesteryear than a Jazz. .   And pedestrians  also need to be extra cautious and not rely on hearing them approach.  Despite many having special sound effects  when manoeuvring at slow speed.(including the Jazz)   

EV and hybrid drivers should also be extra  aware pedestrians may not hear them.   I  also wish  cyclists ,who can  travel at high speed  , were also aware  of this, and dont assume  red traffic lights and other road signs dont apply to them.    

In my defence  when I beat another car away from the lights   I rely mostly on instant acceleration ,without having to wait for stop and start to start the engine or having to select gear etc.   My  acceleration  is  purposeful rather than recklessly rapid. (saves on rapid tyre wear   )   I might reach the speed limit sooner, it doesnt mean I will exceed it.    I am typically ahead of them, travelling sedatelyt in my own lane, at the speed limit before they have time to react to being left behind.   It saves many conflicts where aggressive drivers are forcing their way into your lane, in their 'rightful place'  ahead of you.    I am very aware of their reaction  to being left standing and if they attempt to make it into a race  I back off my speed  immediately, and let them  catch up or pass.     This is rare. The vast majority get a short sharp lesson on how it feels to be treated with disdain.   

I originally posted this  as the  standoff with a Crosstar amused me at the time.      But good torque can be used to advantage   and for extra safety. 

[5thcivic]

I have the same problem at roundabouts where I have the right of way going around, but ice cars see me coming around the bend of the roundabout and think they have time to jump in ahead of me when they don't, and I am right in their drivers' door in no time as they illegally enter the roundabout without a clear route in.

[Lord Voltermore]

I think if you want to use the mk4 to its full potential, you do need to raise your game somewhat.  As when driving any car thats more powerful or capable  than you are used to. 

You could continue driving it  in the  same old way  you did with lesser cars  and have an untapped safety reserve.  But better I think to  compromise  . Make use  of some of its clever tricks and strengths  (such as torque, and ease of driving) to actually improve your driving standards and safety margins  . (within the bounds of sensible and legal driving) 

For example take  5thcivics scenario.  The mk4 could probably  merge into the roundabout much better and more safely than those ice cars. As long as the driver has the necessary skill to match the cars ability. 

Unfortunately its amazing how many idiots manage to crash  super cars etc   despite their  top notch handling and brakes.

[Nicksey]

The 2 into 1 merge is a nightmare in my town. There are 2 junction examples that nobody uses properly, i.e. the zipper transition, whereas each car gives way to allow the one next to it to merge smoothly. The problems arise when the school run is in full force, or a car in the right hand lane actually wants to turn right just before the 'zipper' takes effect. The first case is always because the school car doesn't want anyone to get in front, and are distracted by the kids, unpredictable and make no effort to be courteous to others.  The second causes problems because those following the right turning car don't want to wait behind it so suddenly bully their way into the left lane! If I am at the lights in front (always the inside lane) I will pull away from the Christmas tree as if I was at Santa pod. I take great delight in watching the chaos unfold behind me. If I am in the midst of the inside lane, then I am fortunate that I have a left turn alternative pretty soon after the lights. The Jazz is a great way to get out of trouble very quickly.

[coldstart]

The 2 into 1 merge is a nightmare in my town. ...

Zipper merges are a real-time intelligence test

[Lord Voltermore]

Phew. I'm not the only one     Getting to a pinch point ahead of a   scrum   or   confidently merging with traffic on a  roundabout etc are definitely easier with a mk4 than any other car I've driven.   

I now regret missing the opportunity to do a  santa pod dragster contest with the crosstar.   Maybe he (or she)  originally expected no opposition to an outside lane sneaky beakie overtake. I do that too sometimes  .   I had the advantage but let it go ahead  (I'm not a maniac. -or a robot)

Zipper merges are a real-time intelligence test

 2 large powerful cars merge with a single small  insignificant one . Might is right.  Simple.  Until they discover the insignificant one is a mk 4 jazz  .      I'm think  my grey beard adds to the fun.

[ColinS]

I find that merges always works better when it is the left lane that is merging into the right one.  It's a mentality thing of not wanting cars going up the outside and forcing their way in at the last minute.

[Downsizer]

I think the high torque of electric motors at low speed is contributing to the more rapid deterioration of road surfaces, tearing off the top layer.

[coldstart]

... and forcing their way in at the last minute.

In Switzerland it's the law to merge at "the last minute" - however, never ever force your way in.
Actually, it would be so simple if "ego" weren't such an issue in traffic: Just make room for one car to merge at a time.
(I'm allowed to dream, am I not?)

Addendum:
https://www.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=81639
I'm sorry - there seems to be no english version available.
The gist: We are now obligated to drive up to the junction point and then do the zipper thing.
(probably, because all the "early" merging attempts only create additional confusion, congestion and frustration)

[Sean Regan]

I have a 23reg  Crosstar and they can get you into trouble. The acceleration away from the lights is so smooth and the car is so quiet you can be exceeding the speed limit before you know it.
"Back in the day,"you could tell how fast you were going by the noise of the engine.

[Lord Voltermore]

I think the high torque of electric motors at low speed is contributing to the more rapid deterioration of road surfaces, tearing off the top layer.

I think the extra weight of full EV's together with reduced road maintenance budgets are  big factors in potholes.   Plus powerful disc brakes when stopping.  You could argue that the Mk4 is not super heavy  , much of their advantage away from lights is rapid response and their acceleration is smooth progressive and relentless rather than sudden  and powerful. Plus  EV's and hybrids can, if driven properly, stop more gently using  regenerative braking.    But there is no denying EV vehicles tend to wear out their  tyres more quickly so probably also the road surface. 

[Jazzik]

The 2 into 1 merge is a nightmare in my town. ...

Zipper merges are a real-time intelligence test

I see many people fail that test almost daily.

[Lord Voltermore]

Here is what the UK highway code says about zip merging. Its a recommendation, not a legal requirement.

Rule 134
Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.

I used to be impressed how   well disciplined  drivers were in continental Europe with zipper merging.   But I've noticed a deterioration in standards over  the last  few years. Although still better than the uk.