Sorry I surprised you !

I guess that you must have no noticed that I was behind you ?

So when I accelerated past you, you were more than a little bit surprised about it.

I suppose that you probably think I came from miles behind, that I was travelling at high speed and I simply blew past you like everyone else ?

I suppose too that you think I was riding dangerously, because I split the lane between your car and one that is somewhere in your field of vision ahead ?

Well, sometimes the truth is much stranger than you would believe. 

I was sat behind you for a few minutes, thinking about where it would be safe to pass, watching your driving, observing you.

Did I just creep you out a tad ?

I knew that you had not spotted me, your rear screen wiper had operated half a dozen times since I closed in on you, this is despite it being dry, you had not noticed that, how would you notice me ?

Also, one of your rear lights is out, this bugs me and makes me want to pass you, because if you ever notice something up front and you decide to brake, then is best that I get some warning.

So then it comes down to your driving, you have spent more time refreshing Facebook on the phone clipped to the air vent, than you have actually spending time concentrating on little things. Like staying in your lane, or realising that you have not overtaken anything for several miles, despite being camped in the overtaking lane.

Honestly I’d rather follow you at a safe distance than be in front of you, you are truly an accident waiting to happen.

But you are driving along at 62mph. The limit on this road is 70, there is a queue of traffic behind you that are not quite willing to undertake you. Yet.

I picked my moment really carefully, you had just refreshed Facebook and you mostly appeared to be looking at the road ahead, the car you had been shadowing was far enough away for me to get past without any cooperation from you, so I dropped a couple of gears, took a good look in my mirrors, then one over my shoulder and I rolled the throttle on.

I did not glance at the speedo as I went by you, I simply arced through the gap and selected 5th, then 6th, dropping to a steady 75-78mph (indicated) cruise and watched you disappear in my mirrors.

Can I make a suggestion or two ?

First up, turn your dammed phone off. Put it far out of reach. Checking Facebook every 32 seconds is not good when you are sitting on the sofa, doing so when you are supposed to be driving is simply dangerous.

Secondly, lane discipline. The outside lanes are for overtaking the slower trucks, vans and cars, not for camping. If you are done overtaking, get out of the lane.

Thirdly, Look behind you. This is self explanatory and really should not need saying, but checking what is behind you every couple of minutes is probably a good idea.