Zingari Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Maybe its just my opininion , and notwithstanding the recent tradgedy , but over the last few years i really think the standard of driving by HGV drivers has dropped alarmingly . They seem to swap lanes on the motorway , weaving in and out regardless of any evasive actions a car driver needs to take , and drive far too fast on minor roads , etc etc as an idea , perhaps they should be re-tested every 3 years or so
Thracian Posted 12 July 2008 Author Posted 12 July 2008 But there are so many roads that're worst than the Melton road (the 12 "Red Routes" in Lincolnshire for a start, a county which has about 1 dual carriageway). By raging about how the authorities haven't sorted out the Melton road even though it's dangerous there is the implication that all roads that're as dangerous as it should be sorted out too. Hence Stez's point. It is interesting to read quotes from The Sun yesterday who thought the accident so appalling they dedicated all but a full page to it. The "horrific smash" was described as coming on "a sweeping, unlit bend of a notorious, rain-soaked road". Notorious! And for how long has it been notorious? Well, in the words of a resident near the crash site "I've used that road for 30 years and still think it's dangerous". Another resident, Joy Catlin, 47, said: "There are a number of really bad bends on that stretch, there was an accident on one of them only the other day. "It's difficult to drive if you don't know it well because there's an S-bend followed by another and so on. It's a bad stretch of road." Perhaps most condemning was the comment of a Leicestershire county councillor who said: "The A607 is a dangerous road and the fact it's narrow and winding makes it worse." In other words worse than dangerous. What a condemnation. Imagine an official admitting an industrial area he had responsibility for was "dangerous" and that people viewed it as being dangerous or even notorious for 30 years. There is no way it would be tolerated. Yes, I appreciate the councillor wouldn't have any direct responsibility for the road - his comment is merely used to illustrate the concerns of a local county council representative - but I don't doubt the Highways Authority well know of the road's reputation and have done for decades, courtesy of information partly supplied by the county council. But while a businessman would be forced to make his premises safe, the Highways Authority can wait indefinitely and until six young lives are wasted (plus whatever previously), before they tackle the problem properly. They did just the same with the A5 at Hinckley between the M69 junction and the Longshoot. Despite the pleading of locals they pissed about with the issue for years, while lots of people lost their lives, before finally embarking on a major improvement programme. If we spent a fraction of the money we chuck away on arms and armaments and the obscene cost of waging wars in places we don't belong, then all our main roads and communications networks could be state of the art. Including the excuse for roads they have in Lincolnshire. Mind you, the way the tide's coming in and the projected map of Britain for 2035 you might say there soon won't be much left of Lincolnshire to have roads on anyway.
Hullfox Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 d) The artic driver who parked on a main road outside a garage totally obscuring the view of everyone leaving the garage to join the main flow of traffic seemingly because he couldn't be bothered to walk 50 yards back from a lay-by. Sounds as though his parking didn't merit a ticket though unlike the behaviour of some.
Daggers Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Just recently:======== a) The bus driver on the Melton road who pulled out from a lay-by-type bus-stop straight into the path of a lorry causing the truck driver to slam on his brakes and swerve violently onto the offside of the road. b) The artic driver who pulled across two lanes into the fast lane of of motorway without either looking or signalling, so nearly causing an accident. c) Three people - all women - I've seen today using their mobile phones while driving including one who was negotiating a traffic island in the rush hour with one hand and no sodding idea at all. d) The artic driver who parked on a main road outside a garage totally obscuring the view of everyone leaving the garage to join the main flow of traffic seemingly because he couldn't be bothered to walk 50 yards back from a lay-by. And that really is merely a sample. ...and what a great sample. I'm with you on the murderous truck drivers - if they aren't squishing people they're hauling them into their cabs to rape and murder them and I'm OK with a vendetta on the bus drivers as most of them are Polish & drunk...but I think we're going to struggle to get women off the roads. Maybe we drive around Melton really slowly to highlight our collective grievance, holding up all the traffic as a protest about everything?
Thracian Posted 12 July 2008 Author Posted 12 July 2008 ...and what a great sample.I'm with you on the murderous truck drivers - if they aren't squishing people they're hauling them into their cabs to rape and murder them and I'm OK with a vendetta on the bus drivers as most of them are Polish & drunk...but I think we're going to struggle to get women off the roads. Maybe we drive around Melton really slowly to highlight our collective grievance, holding up all the traffic as a protest about everything? Interesting idea except, chances are, the traffic in Melton will be held up already. Even invalid chairs go faster than the traffic in Melton - cos they're on the pavement.
Guest Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 So Thrac, how will the improvements be made to the Melton road if taxes on fuel need to be cut?
Thracian Posted 12 July 2008 Author Posted 12 July 2008 So Thrac, how will the improvements be made to the Melton road if taxes on fuel need to be cut? Taxes on fuel have to be cut and a much more positive stance taken to the leadership of our country if we are to avoid what could otherwise be a major and possibly long-lasting recession. And, as with anything, the Government has to decide where it's spending priorities lie and I cannot see they'll help anything by taxing people off the road and out of jobs, especially when there is so often no credible or affordable, alternative transport available. And, for me, I would far sooner improve our main roads than I would ever waste bllions sustaining wars in far flung places. But that wouldn't be the only money I'd save. I detest waste in any form be it on MP's inflation-busting salaries, their totally indefensible perks or a myriad of other things. Quite apart from making a further contribution to safety, proper commitment to roads, to realistic road safety and to better communication generally would compliment a whole new raft of ideas for injecting some life into our economy. And persevering with major transport lines that are not fit for the job sets a bad example, is indefensible from a human safety point of view and is short sighted in any case.
AoWW Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 I've just driven the 12 miles home from town and witnessed 5 men driving (incompetently) whilst on their mobiles. Didn't spot a woman doing it though. How odd.
Guest Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Taxes on fuel have to be cut and a much more positive stance taken to the leadership of our country if we are to avoid what could otherwise be a major and possibly long-lasting recession.And, as with anything, the Government has to decide where it's spending priorities lie and I cannot see they'll help anything by taxing people off the road and out of jobs, especially when there is so often no credible or affordable, alternative transport available. And, for me, I would far sooner improve our main roads than I would ever waste bllions sustaining wars in far flung places. But that wouldn't be the only money I'd save. I detest waste in any form be it on MP's inflation-busting salaries, their totally indefensible perks or a myriad of other things. Quite apart from making a further contribution to safety, proper commitment to roads, to realistic road safety and to better communication generally would compliment a whole new raft of ideas for injecting some life into our economy. And persevering with major transport lines that are not fit for the job sets a bad example, is indefensible from a human safety point of view and is short sighted in any case. I'm sorry, but why do taxes on fuel have to be cut?
Guest Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 I've just driven the 12 miles home from town and witnessed 5 men driving (incompetently) whilst on their mobiles. Didn't spot a woman doing it though. How odd. If I see anyone on a phone these days, it's usually a neanderthal behind the wheel of a white van, or a neanderthal in a suit in an "executive" car.
Zingari Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 enough already ! i've seen all sorts , (male female , young old , smart scruffy ) talking on mobiles ; eating beefburgers ; preening themselves in the mirror and generally driving irresposibly
stez Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 I don't remember mentioning every road at all. The Melton road is a main road and a notoriously bad one. if thats the only point of argument you have with what i've said, then i'm happy. thanks for the debate. i know it's hard for someone like you to even acknowledge someone 'like me' can have a valid point or (heaven forfend) be right about something.
AoWW Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Slightly off-topic question but one that I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer to... why do Supermarket lorries (seems to be all of them: Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons et al) travel so slowly? Time after time I witness long queues of traffic stuck behind one with, inevitably, people overtaking recklessly due to the frustration of having to follow them for miles. I followed one the other day for over 15 miles before I could safely overtake it. It's average speed was approx 35mph, along a road where a car can easily travel at between 50-60. I realise lorries have speed limiters, but do the supermarket lorries have these set ridiculously low? Just curious....
stez Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Slightly off-topic question but one that I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer to... why do Supermarket lorries (seems to be all of them: Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons et al) travel so slowly? Time after time I witness long queues of traffic stuck behind one with, inevitably, people overtaking recklessly due to the frustration of having to follow them for miles. I followed one the other day for over 15 miles before I could safely overtake it. It's average speed was approx 35mph, along a road where a car can easily travel at between 50-60. I realise lorries have speed limiters, but do the supermarket lorries have these set ridiculously low? Just curious.... it's difficult to drive a lorry, first you have summat like 12 gears, then you can weigh up to 44 tonne , imagine breaking hard on every bend with 44 tonnes pushing you along. the load also matters, if you have a trailer full of eggs, or livestock or whatever, you not going to want to bash it around so much. the drivers round here are usually not to bad at letting you know when it's safe to pass.....if you've not pissed them of by buzzing round the back of there trailer like an over eager child, though
AoWW Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 it's difficult to drive a lorry, first you have summat like 12 gears, then you can weigh up to 44 tonne , imagine breaking hard on every bend with 44 tonnes pushing you along. the load also matters, if you have a trailer full of eggs, or livestock or whatever, you not going to want to bash it around so much. the drivers round here are usually not to bad at letting you know when it's safe to pass.....if you've not pissed them of by buzzing round the back of there trailer like an over eager child, though - I have an HGV license and am used to driving rather large horseboxes, you muppet! The point was, why are supermarket lorries so much worse than others!
Guest Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Slightly off-topic question but one that I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer to... why do Supermarket lorries (seems to be all of them: Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons et al) travel so slowly? Time after time I witness long queues of traffic stuck behind one with, inevitably, people overtaking recklessly due to the frustration of having to follow them for miles. I followed one the other day for over 15 miles before I could safely overtake it. It's average speed was approx 35mph, along a road where a car can easily travel at between 50-60. I realise lorries have speed limiters, but do the supermarket lorries have these set ridiculously low? Just curious.... The lorry drivers from Croft quarry who use the B4114 between the quarry and Sharnford who really piss me off for driving far too slowly. I have seen many an idiot attempt suicide trying to get round them. They think that they are using a shortcut to the M69, when the road up to M1/M69 is better equipped for them. It's the people living in Sharnford, I feel sorry for.
Zingari Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Slightly off-topic question but one that I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer to... why do Supermarket lorries (seems to be all of them: Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons et al) travel so slowly? Time after time I witness long queues of traffic stuck behind one with, inevitably, people overtaking recklessly due to the frustration of having to follow them for miles. I followed one the other day for over 15 miles before I could safely overtake it. It's average speed was approx 35mph, along a road where a car can easily travel at between 50-60. I realise lorries have speed limiters, but do the supermarket lorries have these set ridiculously low? Just curious.... perhaps they have all got one wonky wheel that seems to want to go where it likes
Alexikokopops Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 Slightly off-topic question but one that I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer to... why do Supermarket lorries (seems to be all of them: Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons et al) travel so slowly? Time after time I witness long queues of traffic stuck behind one with, inevitably, people overtaking recklessly due to the frustration of having to follow them for miles. I followed one the other day for over 15 miles before I could safely overtake it. It's average speed was approx 35mph, along a road where a car can easily travel at between 50-60. I realise lorries have speed limiters, but do the supermarket lorries have these set ridiculously low? Just curious.... The speed limit is 40mph on a regular road for vehicles in excess of 7.5 tonnes. The limiters on these big units are usually set at 85 km/h, or about 55 mph, because the speed limit on a dual carriageway is 50mph and the limit on a motorway is 60mph. So he was just sticking to the speed limit by travelling at an average of 35mph along a singe carriageway. Edit: Just noticed your post saying you have a HGV license and your point is why do supermarket ones drive so much slower. To be honest I haven't noticed any difference in supermarket artics and other artics, they all drive around 40mph in Lincolnshire.
Hullfox Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 I've just driven the 12 miles home from town and witnessed 5 men driving (incompetently) whilst on their mobiles. Didn't spot a woman doing it though. How odd. I should hope that you didn't spot a woman, they should have all been at home making lunch.
Daggers Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 An age I sat in Nuneaton today. A bloody age. I demand the government build a big bridge over it that only I am allowed to access and I want my petrol subsidised too. And I want to be able to park wherever I like. And I don't want to pay car tax anymore.
stez Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 I should hope that you didn't spot a woman, they should have all been at home making lunch. i'm gonna tell mrs hullfox of you!
Hullfox Posted 12 July 2008 Posted 12 July 2008 i'm gonna tell mrs hullfox of you! Ring her after 8, she'll hopefully have finished the ironing by then.
Thracian Posted 13 July 2008 Author Posted 13 July 2008 enough already ! i've seen all sorts , (male female , young old , smart scruffy ) talking on mobiles ; eating beefburgers ; preening themselves in the mirror and generally driving irresposibly That's very diplomatic but it's well known that women have some certain characteristics that separate them from men. a) They can multitask. b) They have selective eyesight and see only what they want to see.
Thracian Posted 13 July 2008 Author Posted 13 July 2008 I'm sorry, but why do taxes on fuel have to be cut? How long have you got?
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