What should I have done?

Conor_3

tomstickland wrote: »

And that's after having to drive onto the grass verge on a slip road to avoid being cut up by one, but I'd had a 6th sense bad feeling before putting myself into that position, so I'm not complaining. (Lorry pulled over into my lane, but I was in a non-ideal position, and don't think I should have boxed myself into sitting side by side with one on sliproad).

See the dashed line at the end of the sliproad? Clue: It's a GIVE WAY. Traffic on the sliproad gives way to traffic on the main carriageway.

The trouble is people now expect traffic on the carriageway to move over into L2 to allow them on and are flummoxed when they don't. Assuming of course that they're not the clowns I see who leave it to the last 20ft before looking in their mirror.

tomstickland

No, it was nothing to do with the end of the sliproad. The lorry simply pulled from the left hand to the right hand lane when moving down a twin lane sliproad.

Asus_Mobo

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Lorry drivers can be psycos who like to intimidate car drivers like this.

Next time some fool in a lorry picks on you take his plate and complain to the lorry firm/VOSA.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I dislike some lorry drivers and moped riders and taxi drivers and police drivers and women drivers and boy racers and bus drivers and delivery drivers and old drivers hairy drivers and bald drivers but,

If they wish to overtake me let them carry on its their funeral, I think the OP was being ultra stubborn or just a crap driver.

mrbadexample

I can't see what all the argument's about?

As far as I can see, the OP was in lane one doing 50, with an artic in lane two doing 50. They got to a 70mph limit. OP sits at the same speed as the artic for a mile, preventing it from pulling in and holding everyone up.

What was wrong with pressing the accelerator pedal (that's the one on the right :rolleyes: ) until you get to 60mph? The truck can't keep up and slots in behind you. Everyone else overtakes and gets on with their lives. No-one starts a thread on how bad HGV drivers are.

HGV drivers are usually (and yes, there's always an exception - the one you remember versus all the thousands that you didn't notice because they didn't cut you up, attempt to murder you or whatever) far better than the average car driver. They have more experience, more road sense and a good deal more skill. Plus on top of that there's always someone shouting at them to get such and such a delivery done come what may, and to top it off they have a complex (and ever-changing) set of legislation to adhere to regarding driving hours and breaks etc. No wonder they lose the plot from time to time. All your average motorist seems to be worrying about these days is texting their mate or putting their make-up on whilst going to work. :rolleyes:

mrbadexample

ts_aly2000 wrote: »

The people on here will try to argue that you're in the wrong, when you're not at all. Don't worry about it.

Sure. Amble about at whatever speed you like without considering anyone else on the road. It doesn't matter, because if you're not speeding, then you must be doing everything right, and therefore it's everyone else at fault. :rolleyes:

Throbbe

Haughley bends I'm guessing? If it was westbound then there's an uphill slope that you wouldn't notice much in a car or bike, but I'd imagine it would be a royal pain for a laden HGV to make up the speed lost.

The correct thing to do was to do what you eventually did, but I must confess in the same situation my initial response is to accelerate away (usually with an apologetic wave to the HGV driver at least :cool: ).

On roads, as on internet messageboards, I think the golden rule has to be don't get wound up. :rotfl:

derrick

Conor wrote: »

See the dashed line at the end of the sliproad? Clue: It's a GIVE WAY.

No it isn't, a give way line has 2 parallel dotted lines,(ACROSS the carriageway, not parallel with it), the slip road has only a single dotted line PARALLEL with the carriageway.

233: When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should :Give priority to traffic already on the motorway

Lane discipline 112: If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and check your blind spots (the areas you are unable to see in the mirrors) to make sure you will not force another driver or rider to swerve or slow down. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear move over.

And what is all this about HGVs being restricted to 56 mph/ (the legal limit for HGVs on a motorway is 60 mph and has been for years), I have lost count of HGVs sitting on my tail @ 70mph in the middle lane whilst I am overtaking vehicles in the inside lane, so most do not have limiters on them.

HGVs travelling in convoy 6 feet from the one in front,(where is their braking distance? if an emergency happens up front there will be a concertina accident.

Indicators do NOT give you a right of way, they are an intention of your action and it is up to the driver of the vehicle at your side if they want to move or not, this is not always possible and causes harsh braking as the HGV moves out with no consideration for the car driver,(I am bigger than you, move!).

Mirrors? HGV drivers use them for reversing and not for what is overtaking them,(don't pull out on an overtaking vehicle!).

138: Before overtaking you should make sure

• the road is sufficiently clear ahead
• the vehicle behind is not beginning to overtake you
• there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake.

Overtaking
241: Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe to do so.
Overtake only on the right. You should

• check your mirrors
• take time to judge the speeds correctly
• make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently clear ahead and behind
• take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area to verify the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror
• remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Check your mirrors carefully. When it is safe to do so, signal in plenty of time, then move out
• ensure you do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken
• be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance

Flashing of headlights is a warning as in the highway code:-
90: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights in an attempt to intimidate other road users.91: If another driver flashes his headlights never assume that it is a signal to go. Use your own judgment and proceed carefully.


ALL the above is from the Highway Code

1.7 million miles in the last 14 years both points and accident free. You?

That will be because the car drivers have had to take evasive action, I would stake my life on it that you have caused countless accidents, after all you drive an HGV for gods sake!


HGV drivers are motorised thugs

mrbadexample

derrick wrote:

And what is all this about HGVs being restricted to 56 mph/ (the legal limit for HGVs on a motorway is 60 mph and has been for years), I have lost count of HGVs sitting on my tail @ 70mph in the middle lane whilst I am overtaking vehicles in the inside lane, so most do not have limiters on them.

Most DO have speed limiters fitted, it's a legal requirement for almost all vehicles with a maximum permitted gross weight of over 7500kg. (Notable exceptions - fire engines etc.)

Many 7½ tonners are exempt - those first used before October 2001 (which will remain exempt), and those first used after December 31st 2004 (which will require speed limiters fitted from January 2008). The legislation regarding this is complex and not expecially exciting. :rolleyes: Some are also exempt if they have, for example, a EURO II engine. Limiters, where fitted, should be set to 90km/h (about 56mph).

derrick wrote:

ALL the above is from the Highway Code

Which is not a legal document. :rolleyes:

derrick wrote:

1.7 million miles in the last 14 years both points and accident free. You?

That will be because the car drivers have had to take evasive action, I would stake my life on it that you have caused countless accidents, after all you drive an HGV for gods sake!

You'd stake your life on Conor causing countless accidents? I can count quite high - you obviously don't value your life much!

derrick wrote:

HGV drivers are motorised thugs

Bit of a sweeping statement, don't you think? :whistle:

Hermione54

What everyone is forgetting is that HGV drivers are car drivers too, in their spare time. They must see it from both points of view and must be as irritated as the rest of us are when they are driving their car and come across one truck overtaking another at + 0.5 mph on a dual carriageway.

But the point has been well made that British HGV drivers are much better trained and examined than those of us who've only passed the ordinary car driving test.

derrick

mrbadexample wrote: »

Most DO have speed limiters fitted, it's a legal requirement for almost all vehicles with a maximum permitted gross weight of over 7500kg. (Notable exceptions - fire engines etc.)

Many 7½ tonners are exempt - those first used before October 2001 (which will remain exempt), and those first used after December 31st 2004 (which will require speed limiters fitted from January 2008). The legislation regarding this is complex and not expecially exciting. :rolleyes: Some are also exempt if they have, for example, a EURO II engine. Limiters, where fitted, should be set to 90km/h (about 56mph).


I have had 38 tonners up my tail in the centre lane of a 3 lane motorway whilst doing 70-75 mph overtaking vehicles in the inside lane, it happens, and dispels the theory that ALL hgvs have limiters,(and don't forget the ones that may have them fitted but have been altered!),



Which is not a legal document. :rolleyes:

Not in itself,but:-

From the Highway Code:- Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words MUST / MUST NOT. In addition the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence.

You'd stake your life on Conor causing countless accidents? I can count quite high - you obviously don't value your life much!

Yes I can count as well, he made the statement:- "1.7 million miles in the last 14 years both points and accident free. You?"

Whilst I can't prove my statement,(but have seen evidence whilst driving,car drivers as well, of HGV drivers causing/nearly causing accidents with their cavalier approach to driving), neither can he disprove it.


HGV drivers are motorised thugs


Bit of a sweeping statement, don't you think? :whistle:

Maybe so, but it is my opinion and we are all entitled to that :think:

HGV drivers "professionals" yes, professional idiots.