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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 21:06:27

Title: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 21:06:27
Nipped up a bit of dual carriageway after going round a round about,  glided past an articulated tanker then on to the next trading estate roundabout on route to out destination, not even an 1/8th of the way round and half way between the 1st and 2nd juntion the firking tanker had sped up starting to pass us ((passenger side)  hadnt realised he had even caught us up) and came with in a couple of inches down the side of the car, then just turned left on to the trading estate, never been so close to having an accident with something that big before.

Thought I had invented a few new swear words till a few seconds later our lass realised what might have just happened and started swearing more than me.   :-\
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Entwood on 07 January 2013, 21:22:32
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors

I remember the repetitive chant from my driving instructor many, many years ago .... and when I took my HGV / PCV training the instructor commented that I was one of the few drivers he had met that used mirrors reasonably well.. but he would teach me to use them properly .. and that bloody chant started again !!!  14 mirror checks to go around a bloody roundabout !!!  but it works .. :)

I'm guessing you didn't look in your mirror before entering the roundabout ... or you would have seen the tanker ....  at least you got away with just a fright  :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: tidla on 07 January 2013, 21:43:11
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors

I remember the repetitive chant from my driving instructor many, many years ago .... and when I took my HGV / PCV training the instructor commented that I was one of the few drivers he had met that used mirrors reasonably well.. but he would teach me to use them properly .. and that bloody chant started again !!!  14 mirror checks to go around a bloody roundabout !!!  but it works .. :)

I'm guessing you didn't look in your mirror before entering the roundabout ... or you would have seen the tanker ....  at least you got away with just a fright  :y :y :y :y

The amount of mirrors fitted to new trucks and buses will keep most drivers busy.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 21:59:59
Had allready passed the taker on the dual carriage way, mirrors or not, the tanker was behind me and travelling faster than I was on the roundabout itself, either way, our lass is an ex driving instructer and she called him all sorts for being totally out of order with his driving antics.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: jonny2112 on 07 January 2013, 22:05:07
All's well that ends well though I guess  ;)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 07 January 2013, 22:20:45
Had allready passed the taker on the dual carriage way, mirrors or not, the tanker was behind me and travelling faster than I was on the roundabout itself, either way, our lass is an ex driving instructer and she called him all sorts for being totally out of order with his driving antics.

I've had similar when towing. HGVs generally drive with their foot to the floor & sod anyone else  >:( ....... (I know ther are HGV drivers here, but it's fact )
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Lazydocker on 07 January 2013, 22:25:55
Had allready passed the taker on the dual carriage way, mirrors or not, the tanker was behind me and travelling faster than I was on the roundabout itself, either way, our lass is an ex driving instructer and she called him all sorts for being totally out of order with his driving antics.

I've had similar when towing. HGVs generally drive with their foot to the floor & sod anyone else  >:( ....... (I know ther are HGV drivers here, but it's fact )

Is there any other way to drive? :-\ ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 07 January 2013, 22:31:38
....
Is there any other way to drive? :-\ ::)

Depends on whether you're bullying you way through while carting 40 tons behind you.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: tunnie on 07 January 2013, 22:32:25
With HGV tailgaters who probably do it as they cannot be bothered to turn off cruise (fully understand that)

To pish them off, I wait until a hill, slow to 25 ish then boot it. Means they are fooked for rest of hill  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Entwood on 07 January 2013, 22:37:37
....
Is there any other way to drive? :-\ ::)

Depends on whether you're bullying you way through while carting 40 tons behind you.

I don't read the original post as bullying at all ... I read it as tanker in left lane taking first exit of roundabout at a speed the driver was happy with (and as it didn't tip over I guess it was OK) and the OP in the right lane to take the second exit travelling slower than the tanker.. but moved across too early (1/8th around the roundabout ?? change of lane) so nearly hits the side of the tanker..... mirrors before changing lane was the reason for my earlier comment ...

but I wasn't there so can only go by what is written .. :)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 07 January 2013, 22:43:33
....
Is there any other way to drive? :-\ ::)

Depends on whether you're bullying you way through while carting 40 tons behind you.

I don't read the original post as bullying at all ... I read it as tanker in left lane taking first exit of roundabout at a speed the driver was happy with (and as it didn't tip over I guess it was OK) and the OP in the right lane to take the second exit travelling slower than the tanker.. but moved across too early (1/8th around the roundabout ?? change of lane) so nearly hits the side of the tanker..... mirrors before changing lane was the reason for my earlier comment ...

but I wasn't there so can only go by what is written .. :)

I read it that the HGV was driven with his foot to the floor & showed no regard for other road users & undertook at the junction of the roundabout ................. but as you say - we weren't there  ;)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Vamps on 07 January 2013, 22:49:37
I read it that the op was in the wrong lane, and at the very least should have checked his mirror before moving over, you can never assume..... ::) ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 22:57:00
....
Is there any other way to drive? :-\ ::)

Depends on whether you're bullying you way through while carting 40 tons behind you.

I don't read the original post as bullying at all ... I read it as tanker in left lane taking first exit of roundabout at a speed the driver was happy with (and as it didn't tip over I guess it was OK) and the OP in the right lane to take the second exit travelling slower than the tanker.. but moved across too early (1/8th around the roundabout ?? change of lane) so nearly hits the side of the tanker..... mirrors before changing lane was the reason for my earlier comment ...

but I wasn't there so can only go by what is written .. :)

Should have added if I hadnt made it clear enough.  "He came within a couple of inches of us", I kept with in 5/6 inches of the kerb on the round aboubout, I entered from the fast lane of the roundabout with the intention to leave in the fast lane on the exit, therefore staying in the 2nd lane throughout the manouvre. I didnt venture into his space at all, personanally I feel he was using my space as he was at this point travelling faster than me.

As mentioned all wells that ends well, but could have been a completely different story simply because it seemed the tanker might of wanted to end his shift.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 22:58:39
Begining to wish i hadnt bothered posting this thread......
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 07 January 2013, 23:00:34
I read it that the op was in the wrong lane, and at the very least should have checked his mirror before moving over, you can never assume..... ::) ::)
Wasnt in the wrong lane at all, and didnt move over. on exit of the roundabout I would have had the choice of either lane as I travelled straight accross the roundabout, I stayed in lane 2 through out the whole experiance.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Vamps on 07 January 2013, 23:05:50
I read it that the op was in the wrong lane, and at the very least should have checked his mirror before moving over, you can never assume..... ::) ::)
Wasnt in the wrong lane at all, and didnt move over. on exit of the roundabout I would have had the choice of either lane as I travelled straight accross the roundabout, I stayed in lane 2 through out the whole experiance.
[/highlight]

So what difference did the speed of the truck matter? you entered and exited and remained in lane 2, unless you are saying that he strayed into your lane.... ::) ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 08 January 2013, 00:05:55
I read it that the op was in the wrong lane, and at the very least should have checked his mirror before moving over, you can never assume..... ::) ::)
Wasnt in the wrong lane at all, and didnt move over. on exit of the roundabout I would have had the choice of either lane as I travelled straight accross the roundabout, I stayed in lane 2 through out the whole experiance.
[/highlight]

So what difference did the speed of the truck matter? you entered and exited and remained in lane 2, unless you are saying that he strayed into your lane.... ::) ::)

Yes he strayed into my lane within 2 inches of my car that was allready close to the centre of the roundabout,
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Vamps on 08 January 2013, 00:52:06
I read it that the op was in the wrong lane, and at the very least should have checked his mirror before moving over, you can never assume..... ::) ::)
Wasnt in the wrong lane at all, and didnt move over. on exit of the roundabout I would have had the choice of either lane as I travelled straight accross the roundabout, I stayed in lane 2 through out the whole experiance.
[/highlight]

So what difference did the speed of the truck matter? you entered and exited and remained in lane 2, unless you are saying that he strayed into your lane.... ::) ::)

Yes he strayed into my lane within 2 inches of my car that was allready close to the centre of the roundabout,

Right, that explains it, mind I am always wary of artics on RA's cos of the way they can not help but cut the corner.......... ;) :y :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 01:47:41
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors

I remember the repetitive chant from my driving instructor many, many years ago .... and when I took my HGV / PCV training the instructor commented that I was one of the few drivers he had met that used mirrors reasonably well.. but he would teach me to use them properly .. and that bloody chant started again !!!  14 mirror checks to go around a bloody roundabout !!!  but it works .. :)

I'm guessing you didn't look in your mirror before entering the roundabout ... or you would have seen the tanker ....  at least you got away with just a fright  :y :y :y :y

People could learn alot from driving in such a vehicle as part of the driving test process :-\
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: dbug on 08 January 2013, 02:03:39
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors

I remember the repetitive chant from my driving instructor many, many years ago .... and when I took my HGV / PCV training the instructor commented that I was one of the few drivers he had met that used mirrors reasonably well.. but he would teach me to use them properly .. and that bloody chant started again !!!  14 mirror checks to go around a bloody roundabout !!!  but it works .. :)

I'm guessing you didn't look in your mirror before entering the roundabout ... or you would have seen the tanker ....  at least you got away with just a fright  :y :y :y :y

People could learn alot from driving in such a vehicle as part of the driving test process :-\
Seconded :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: omega3000 on 08 January 2013, 05:44:37
With HGV tailgaters who probably do it as they cannot be bothered to turn off cruise (fully understand that)

To pish them off, I wait until a hill, slow to 25 ish then boot it. Means they are fooked for rest of hill  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

 ;D

I had a job overtaking one yesterday  :-X He was going way over 60  ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: feeutfo on 08 January 2013, 08:59:17
Why do you need a 3.0 if Hgv's are looming up behind you? Get on with it lad! ;)


Hgv's drivers need to do the same, and use their mirrors... Oh wait that's not fair, they do. Then over take ANYWAY!  >:(
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 08 January 2013, 09:42:21
Why do you need a 3.0 if Hgv's are looming up behind you? Get on with it lad! ;)


Hgv's drivers need to do the same, and use their mirrors... Oh wait that's not fair, they do. Then over take ANYWAY!  >:(

this time I agree Chris..
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 08 January 2013, 10:27:04
You shouldn't undertake anyway, whatever vehicle you are driving....  :-\ 
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Lazydocker on 08 January 2013, 12:06:50
You shouldn't undertake anyway, whatever vehicle you are driving....  :-\

He wasn't... He was keeping up with the flow of traffic ;)

But, that said, it sounds like he was pressing on more than needed if he couldn't stay in his lane ::)

People could learn alot from driving in such a vehicle as part of the driving test process :-\

I have said for many years that to get a driving license for a car you should have to do HGV/PSV and/or motorcycle training as well... Both of which require more awareness of the roads and what is going on than in a car :y Not saying they have to pass a test to that standard (although that wouldn't be a bad thing :-X) but at least experience the roads from other perspectives ;)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2013, 12:15:55
You shouldn't undertake anyway, whatever vehicle you are driving....  :-\

He wasn't... He was keeping up with the flow of traffic ;)

But, that said, it sounds like he was pressing on more than needed if he couldn't stay in his lane ::)

People could learn alot from driving in such a vehicle as part of the driving test process :-\

I have said for many years that to get a driving license for a car you should have to do HGV/PSV and/or motorcycle training as well... Both of which require more awareness of the roads and what is going on than in a car :y Not saying they have to pass a test to that standard (although that wouldn't be a bad thing :-X) but at least experience the roads from other perspectives ;)

& make HGV drivers tow a caravan that'll do 60mph all day, up & down dale so that when other HGV drivers pull out at the bottom of a hill they too have to sit behind the barstwerd while they take 4 miles to try to overtake & then decide to pull back in again because they couldn't!  :-X
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Lazydocker on 08 January 2013, 12:27:17
You shouldn't undertake anyway, whatever vehicle you are driving....  :-\

He wasn't... He was keeping up with the flow of traffic ;)

But, that said, it sounds like he was pressing on more than needed if he couldn't stay in his lane ::)

People could learn alot from driving in such a vehicle as part of the driving test process :-\

I have said for many years that to get a driving license for a car you should have to do HGV/PSV and/or motorcycle training as well... Both of which require more awareness of the roads and what is going on than in a car :y Not saying they have to pass a test to that standard (although that wouldn't be a bad thing :-X) but at least experience the roads from other perspectives ;)

& make HGV drivers tow a caravan that'll do 60mph all day, up & down dale so that when other HGV drivers pull out at the bottom of a hill they too have to sit behind the barstwerd while they take 4 miles to try to overtake & then decide to pull back in again because they couldn't!  :-X

Didn't say they were perfect ;) ;)

As for caravans doing 60mph all day long... Unfortunately there are too many people who tow caravans with insufficient power/experience and can't maintain a speed on the flat, never mind up hill ::) ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: albitz on 08 January 2013, 12:35:19
Ideally,get freight back on the railways where it belongs. :).............and caravans in one big bonfire,where they belong. :D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 12:53:43
 Andy, next time you go on a reasonably lengthy motorway journey, set your cruise control for 56mph. Count the number of times you pull out to pass something, only to find that you can't.

I think you will be quite surprised...
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 08 January 2013, 13:17:20
You shouldn't undertake anyway, whatever vehicle you are driving....  :-\ 

In this circumstance and due to his size thats correct, He was doing it to intimidate me I think but caught himself out by getting too close.
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Elite Pete on 08 January 2013, 13:24:00
Andy, next time you go on a reasonably lengthy motorway journey, set your cruise control for 56mph. Count the number of times you pull out to pass something, only to find that you can't.

I think you will be quite surprised...

What a load of utter rubbish. Ok I agree you might have to wait a while but lets face it your probably only following another LGV probably doing half a mile an hour slower than you so the wait to overtake is hardly going to make a massive time difference to your journey. IMO a lot of LGV drivers are terrible considering it's their profession, even basics like mirror signal manoeuvre go out the window if they have to lift their foot of the throttle. If it was down to me they would all be forced to stay in the inside lane, after all they should all be doing 56MPH. Just my opinon ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 08 January 2013, 13:29:56
Why do you need a 3.0 if Hgv's are looming up behind you? Get on with it lad! ;)


Hgv's drivers need to do the same, and use their mirrors... Oh wait that's not fair, they do. Then over take ANYWAY!  >:(

In all fairness chris I have a great respect for HGV's as a lot of my mates are profesional drivers, and if they were in front or by the side of me I will allways slow and give them the right of way especially after seeing some idiot taxi try to sneak past an artic on a roundabout whilst the rest of us gave the HGV plenty of space, the result was the HGV swiftly drove across the bonnet of the car (dare I say it even looked like he did it on purpose) but had I have been a witness to the accident I think I would have supported the HGV driver.

In this case chris I thought I was more than clear of the HGV when I slowed for the roundabout but as I swung left he momentarily wouldnt be in my mirrors due to the angle I was at, I put him down to driving too fast and being lucky not to have caused an accident.

Also putting annother notch on lessons learnt (dont under estimate how fast an empty HGV can catch up)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2013, 13:36:08
Andy, next time you go on a reasonably lengthy motorway journey, set your cruise control for 56mph. Count the number of times you pull out to pass something, only to find that you can't.

I think you will be quite surprised...

What a load of utter rubbish. Ok I agree you might have to wait a while but lets face it your probably only following another LGV probably doing half a mile an hour slower than you so the wait to overtake is hardly going to make a massive time difference to your journey. IMO a lot of LGV drivers are terrible considering it's their profession, even basics like mirror signal manoeuvre go out the window if they have to lift their foot of the throttle. If it was down to me they would all be forced to stay in the inside lane, after all they should all be doing 56MPH. Just my opinon ::)

seconded!  :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2013, 13:37:37
....
Also putting annother notch on lessons learnt (dont under estimate how fast an empty HGV can catch up)

or how fast a solo tractor unit can take off at a Traffic Light Grande Prix!  :o ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 13:40:14
Trouble is, although all the trucks are supposed to be limited to 56mph,  the limiters are inconsistant.

The point of my suggestion was simply to highlight the fact that whilst a car should easily maintain 56mph using cruise control, a truck might not :-\

Also limiters only control the speed thst a driver can push the vehicle to. Down hill, such as where the M40 drops into Oxfordshire, even a modest truck will reach 65+ left to its own devices. Given the variations of weight and power, it is of little surprise that  a faster truck at the bottom of the slope might well be the slowest one at the top.

If people didn't try to pass slower vehicles, we would all end up doing 40 everywhere, waiting for the person sat in the middle lane to die of boredom ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Elite Pete on 08 January 2013, 13:43:16
Trouble is, although all the trucks are supposed to be limited to 56mph,  the limiters are inconsistant.

The point of my suggestion was simply to highlight the fact that whilst a car should easily maintain 56mph using cruise control, a truck might not :-\

Also limiters only control the speed thst a driver can push the vehicle to. Down hill, such as where the M40 drops into Oxfordshire, even a modest truck will reach 65+ left to its own devices. Given the variations of weight and power, it is of little surprise that  a faster truck at the bottom of the slope might well be the slowest one at the top.

If people didn't try to pass slower vehicles, we would all end up doing 40 everywhere, waiting for the person sat in the middle lane to die of boredom ::)

Which is what happens when and LGV is overtaking another LGV clogging the middle overtaking lane for miles at a time ::) ;D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 13:46:14
Alot of the time true Pete, but every so often, that truck at the front is sat behind a car, just wishing it could use the outside lane to go round it ;D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 08 January 2013, 13:47:32
It should be the law that an HGV being overtaken backs off a bit to allow the overtaking vehicle past.  It's not always the fault of the overtaking truck..  ::)
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: STMO123 on 08 January 2013, 13:47:48
Trouble is, although all the trucks are supposed to be limited to 56mph,  the limiters are inconsistant.

The point of my suggestion was simply to highlight the fact that whilst a car should easily maintain 56mph using cruise control, a truck might not :-\

Also limiters only control the speed thst a driver can push the vehicle to. Down hill, such as where the M40 drops into Oxfordshire, even a modest truck will reach 65+ left to its own devices. Given the variations of weight and power, it is of little surprise that  a faster truck at the bottom of the slope might well be the slowest one at the top.

If people didn't try to pass slower vehicles, we would all end up doing 40 everywhere, waiting for the person sat in the middle lane to die of boredom ::)

Which is what happens when and LGV is overtaking another LGV clogging the middle overtaking lane for miles at a time ::) ;D
I'm afraid that's game, set and match, Al. ;D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 13:54:28
In the nicest possible way, not long now, eh  :P
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 13:56:03
It should be the law that an HGV being overtaken backs off a bit to allow the overtaking vehicle past.  It's not always the fault of the overtaking truck..  ::)
Be alot less of a problem if trucks weren't limited...

Although, sensibly, there should then be a power to weight ratio of say 13bhp per tonne of GVW to be able to use lane 2 and say 40 bhp per tonne to use lanes 3and 4. That way all the underpowered supermarket trollies stay in lane one out of the way, and the rest of us can just get on with it :y
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 08 January 2013, 13:59:52
No chance of that Al as limiters have to be on more and more vehicles.  7.5 tonners now, white vans tomorrow, motorbikes.....  :(
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 January 2013, 14:01:28
No chance of that Al as limiters have to be on more and more vehicles.  7.5 tonners now, white vans tomorrow, motorbikes.....  :(

However, once we leave the EU... ;D
Title: Re: Nearly got the Elite written off tonight.
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 08 January 2013, 14:06:39
No chance of that Al as limiters have to be on more and more vehicles.  7.5 tonners now, white vans tomorrow, motorbikes.....  :(

Dont mind limiters at all, the one on my Elite apparently kicks at 155MPH, sadly there are no roads or tracks legal or suitable to test it.  ::)