Nearly died on the M4 this morning

Lum

notanewuser wrote: »

This was before the Brynglas Tunnels? :eek::eek:

Certainly sounds like it, from the description I'm guessing eastbound too.

Here's a streetview

For bonus comedy, spin the streetview around 180 degrees and note how long the chevron markings are. You'd have to be asleep to not notice that until the last minute.

bizzybee

Crabman wrote: »

Watch the following video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3MPKLy9qHU

Holy @&$€! That's terrifying and not something I had ever given any thought to. Will do now!

facade

Modern cars are designed so that if you hit things square on you will likely survive (crumple zones, air bags etc)
However the natural impulse is to try to swerve round, which is about the worst thing that you can do for your passenger.

I was at one of those Police roadshows where this was explained, they see literally hundreds of deaths that would have been prevented if the driver did nothing, but let the car take the impact square on, however, without training it is virtually certain that you will swerve to get clear air in front of you, even if it is your child in the passenger seat.

alastairq

Not sure it would work hitting a Klingon battleship head-on...?

Ultrasonic

Had never given any thought as to how best to crash into the back of a truck before! Square on in the middle it is then.

Richard53

TrickyWicky wrote: »

I've never understood people who try to get back onto the motorway from a slip road. It's utter madness. Most of them lead to a roundabout / junction anyway and those that don't.. well you'll get to one eventually lol. I've missed / taken loads of sliproads in the past and admittedly I used to panic until i realised that you just keep going and turn around somewhere. Simplez.

As the others have said, glad you're ok!

Seconded.

One of the remarks of my driving instructor many years ago has stayed with me: if you make a mistake and get on the wrong road, it is simple courtesy to other motorists to carry on until you can stop and turn round without inconveniencing others. That's 'inconveniencing' - I suppose it applies tenfold to making a manoeuvre that might kill someone.

For most motorway errors - carry on, go round the roundabout, and rejoin. Not difficult or particularly time-consuming.

I find most lorry drivers to be skilled and courteous. But if you find one that isn't, keep clear.

As to the OP's options: the 'official' stopping distance from 70 mph is 96m, so a forced lane change was probably inevitable.

Figgerty

I'm glad you reacted so quickly and avoided an accident.

My experience of HGV drivers on motorways is very positive. When I first started driving I was petrified of joining the M25 in the rush hour. Time after time it would be a HGV driver who allowed me space to join. I was fine from once I joined and gradually overcame my fear. I find they are very disciplined, unlike many boy racers, who zig from the fast lane to the exit lane in no time. I have often seen them just make the exit road by crossing lines not to be crossed. I would feel safer sharing a motorway with HGV drivers than many other drivers. Perhaps we should look at the road signage in instances like this. Just because you know the road well and no longer need the signs does not mean the signs are adequate for strangers to the area.

GAZ237

[quote=[Deleted User];61585147]Theres always one.... :T[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you was not paying enough attention. To swerve across into the fast last is a joke.
Its lucky you never killed anyone else.

That's two now.

C_Mababejive

My golden rule for motoring is..

If in doubt..DONT.

Unfortunately i dont always apply it to other areas of life

[Deleted User]

vaio wrote: »

Thanks, but in my experience there is usually more than one.

Then again, it wasn't me that....

because a slow moving lorry pulled into my lane 100m away.

Just for clarity, as the lane you swerved into luckily had nothing coming where did the cars that almost ploughed into the back of you come from? Did they also change lanes to pass the slow moving lorry? Suddenly "uncloaked" a la Klingon battleship? Were there all the time but just got missed in all the drama?

Ho hum. There we go then.