I'm with FIF on this. Anyone who bombs alongs safe in the knowledge that there will never be a stationary vehicle in the outside lane, will one day get a big surprise.
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Like ostriches, if you don't mind me saying so gentlemen. Heads in the sand. It shouldn't happen therefore it doesn't. If it does, it is the ignorant drivers' fault.
But that doesn't belate the fact that every week or so I observe a very near miss with these hazardous vehicles on the dual carriageways of Devon and Cornwall.
I'd argue that you know as well as I do that the driving of tractors and other very slow-moving vehicles on dual carriageway confounds the expectations of your average (mortal) driver. I say remove this unecessary risk. The timed prevention of slow-moving traffic mentioned in a previous post strikes me as an EXCELLENT idea and compromise.
Whilst running the risk of being patronising, can I suggest you view this from the viewpoint of someone (probably the majority) not connected with agriculture in any way and so not so sympathetic to the plight of the poor farmer?
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" I say remove this unecessary risk. "
Well, now, where do you stop with this removal of uneccessary risk project?
HGV's, PCV's, bicyles, drivers over 70 (or should that be 60, or even 50?), drivers under 20, (or 30 just to be on the safe side), road sweepers, tractors (naturally), milk floats and children from urban streets, Volvos, Citroens, Land Rovers, BMW's, vintage cars, drivers with hats, smokers, sweetie eaters ...
As for confounding expectations, finding a tractor on a Motorway, yes, that would confound expectations. Dual carriageways were designed to allow safer overtaking by not forcing the overtaking vehicle into a lane normally used by oncoming traffic. They were in place long before cars were capable of cruising at 70+ all day. Keep that in mind next time you accelerate with the intention of cruising at 70 on a dual carriageway.
Safe driving, leatherpatches, and watch out for those slow-moving hazards.
H.
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Stranger in a strange land
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" I say remove this unecessary risk. " Well, now, where do you stop with this removal of uneccessary risk project? HGV's, PCV's, bicyles, drivers over 70 (or should that be 60, or even 50?), drivers under 20, (or 30 just to be on the safe side), road sweepers, tractors (naturally), milk floats and children from urban streets, Volvos, Citroens, Land Rovers, BMW's, vintage cars, drivers with hats, smokers, sweetie eaters ...
At last, someone who knows what they are talking about. A sensible idea. I suggest that the rules be made thus
DRivers below the age of 48 and above 50 be banned, Women banned, HGV's banned, PSV's banned, Motorbikes banned, any car other than 03 reg Renault Laguna's banned.
Right who does that leave - oooo me. Happy motoring me!
OH! you expect me to pay all the missing road tax from all the banned drivers! oh dear!
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Sorry, lp - please admit defeat on this one. MM and his team have put a strong and valid case which I support. A dual carriageway is built to be a fast road, but that cannot guarantee that everything on it should move fast - even on a motorway there is no enforced minimum speed (though there is in other countries). As a car driver you have no right to demand that other road users take less convenient routes just to make your life simpler.
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With you Rob and Fif.
It is the anticipation of the unexpected which is the hall mark of a good driver.
Clues are there. Devon/Cornwall like N. Yorks lot of farming in both counties. Now it is the start of corn harvest followed by spuds and as MM says many farmers now HAVE to use roads to get their crops in to base. Not surprising then one is going to encounter a slow mover round that bend.
Bit like going along the road and noting the bins and bags are out awaiting collection. Surprise, surprise the next thing is great whacking refuse truck on the road.
DVD
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Ok, I admit defeat. Because it shouldn't happen, it doesn't.
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Moving over when you have a few cars behind isonly voluntary--not mandatory. Bearing in mind that if the JCB was to do so, he would never reach the site!
Fraid I have to take issue on that.
A few years ago in Devon a JCB driver received points on his licence for Driving Without Due Care. The actual deed committed was failing to pull over to allow a long and growing queue of cars to overtake.
I used to follow a JCB regularly on my way into work. However, I knew exactly when I would overtake him, because he would pull in and allow the traffic to pass.
****Signature? - Ideas on a postcard please anyone!****
Hugo
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Back to square one Hugo.
Same set of circumstances couple of years ago near Harrogate involving a Tractor. Driver sheeted for driving without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road.
Appeared at Harrogate mags and ?
Case dismissed.
DVD
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How about this one from the Highway Code.
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. rather than just hammering along in autopilot mode. (having been rear-ended on a dual carriageway by someone doing 60 when everyone else had stopped).
Martin
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Well, never gueass what - on the way to an evening appointment (not all beer and skittles you know) plodding on dual carriageway in perfect light and weather, mind occupied with things Land Rover when I found myself heading towards a properly lit and driven tractor and trailer at a fair old rate of knots with cars overtaking me had to brake harder than usual....goes to show its usually the idiot in the BMW that's to blame.
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In that one post, PU, you have somehow managed to link all the major issues going on right now in the forum!
Tractors, speed, overtaking, BMWs, and idiots!
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In that one post, PU, you have somehow managed to link all the major issues going on right now in the forum! Tractors, speed, overtaking, BMWs, and idiots!
HF sacrilege!
you forgot diesels! (it's a 530d so I think that counts!)
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Tractors of course are not the only kind of moving agricultural artefact, actually the fastest. Try following a herd of cows or sheep. They are all road users and all have equal rights to use the Queen's Highway. Try being a farmer for a day and you will quickly see the world from an entirely different perspective.
My uncle used to drive flocks of sheep along the Great North Road (A1 now) near Grantham in the 50s and 60s. If you tried it now you'd be run down before you even waved your red warning flag.
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