chrisgoddard:
The question that should be asked is why can we only do 40mph on the A17 and similar roads. It annoys me that we can only do 40 on ‘A’ roads but at the same time we can do 40 in the middle of some towns where there is a 40 limit surely is more dangerous to do 40 in a town than most ‘A’ roads
As you might have gathered from my signature, I’m all for safety BUT even I have to say that on a LOT of A roads the 40 limit is silly.
My solution - have parliament introduce a bill that allows 50 on major trunk route A roads where it is safe to do so.
All that would be required is a new sign - a pic of a truck with a 50 on the side of it to start a 50 truck limit and the same sign at the end of the limit with a red line through it.
Oh, and make 7.5s (C1) the same speed limits as C & CE on all roads.
roughyed:
Try getting past a 409 First bus as it goes from Oldham to Ashton u lyne town centre at 17mph. Then when it stops at a bus stop, goes in at 45degrees, and leaves it’s rear offside stuck out in the traffic stopping traffic getting passed. morons, bus drivers.
Thats a bit of a generalisation isnt it?
Theres maybe a 100 reasons why the back end is sticking out but normally its some muppet parked (illegally) in the bus stop…
Oh and Im one of those “morons”…
bugger you got that in before me that will be two morons on ere then
I too got the 3 points at Ledenham a few years ago.
As I usually stick to the speed limits, I would like to agree that some Q’s are longer than necessary because the 1st following car won’t overtake. Once the chav 23 cars back goes for it then a few more do too! Also, I would pull over more than I do on routes eg A47 but there are far too few lay-bys on a lot of a roads; when one does come up there often isn’t enough space to pull in due to ill-considered parking by cars/caravans. I wish they would build more parking areas with space for 5 or 6 trucks plus a few cars and the rest-room, with a drive through lane so you could pull off and then stop if you want or just use the slip road to off-on the A road and let people past. The only rest area I think I have seen is down south either A12 or A120 (I think) one either side of the road. Then again, does the government ever do anything to help us drivers?
chrisgoddard:
The question that should be asked is why can we only do 40mph on the A17 and similar roads. It annoys me that we can only do 40 on ‘A’ roads but at the same time we can do 40 in the middle of some towns where there is a 40 limit surely is more dangerous to do 40 in a town than most ‘A’ roads
As you might have gathered from my signature, I’m all for safety BUT even I have to say that on a LOT of A roads the 40 limit is silly.
My solution - have parliament introduce a bill that allows 50 on major trunk route A roads where it is safe to do so.
All that would be required is a new sign - a pic of a truck with a 50 on the side of it to start a 50 truck limit and the same sign at the end of the limit with a red line through it.
Oh, and make 7.5s (C1) the same speed limits as C & CE on all roads.
I agree totally with Rog. Even when I took my test my examiner (yes examiner) said that the speed limit on the A5 between Milton Keynes and Weedon was stupid at 40mph.
roddersdad:
DAF95XF:
roughyed:
Try getting past a 409 First bus as it goes from Oldham to Ashton u lyne town centre at 17mph. Then when it stops at a bus stop, goes in at 45degrees, and leaves it’s rear offside stuck out in the traffic stopping traffic getting passed. morons, bus drivers.
Thats a bit of a generalisation isnt it?
Theres maybe a 100 reasons why the back end is sticking out but normally its some muppet parked (illegally) in the bus stop…
Oh and Im one of those “morons”…
bugger you got that in before me that will be two morons on ere then
I don’t think anyone begrudges drivers the right to do the speed limit of 40mph but what Rich was asking is the same thing that bugs me … you get a truck in front of you doing 40 and then blow me, when you hit a dual carriageway the sod speeds up so no one can get past him… then when you hit the single again, the original queue is still there. That is just plain ridiculous!!! If you have to stick to 40 on a single than stick to 45 on a dual and give us norty boys a chance to go past.
I left Boston last Wednesday morning at 0620 and got stuck behind one of Dairy Crest’s little troopers and was behind the ■■■■■■■ all the way to Peterborough!!! It took me a sodding hour!!
Nothing unusal in a hour from Boston to Peterborough - I do it most weekdays with trainees! Usually negotiating several tractors. We try not hold up traffic, but inevitably get some, most of which sits happily behind - well they must be happy otherwise they would overtake!
Occasionally we get an irrate car driver who obviously doesn’t know the speed limits for trucks and indicates with the use of his/her horn and hands, his lack of knowledge and understanding of large vehicles!
The 40mph speed limit is ridiculous and I believe some government department/quango/advisers are doing some research about it. Equally I was given to understand that no political party was of a mind to increase the limit - maybe sense is begining to find its way through the politicians heads - oh no, i’m dreaming again!
i just stay at 40 no matter how big the tailback is.
What a rediculous attitude to have as a ‘professional’ HGV driver!
I only drive a Sprinter van nowadays but I must agree with alot of the posts here.
40 mph can and is very dangerous in many situations.
Car and truck drivers need more education on how and where to overtake and to leave a big enough gap between vehicles to allow others to ‘leapfrog’ if they so wish (dont speed up to close the gap in front of you)
Pull over to let others by if necessary.
If your going to obay the Law, then ALL of it applys, ie 50 on duel carriageways as well as 40 on singles
i just stay at 40 no matter how big the tailback is.
What a rediculous attitude to have as a ‘professional’ HGV driver!
I only drive a Sprinter van nowadays but I must agree with alot of the posts here.
40 mph can and is very dangerous in many situations.
Car and truck drivers need more education on how and where to overtake and to leave a big enough gap between vehicles to allow others to ‘leapfrog’ if they so wish (dont speed up to close the gap in front of you)
Pull over to let others by if necessary.
If your going to obay the Law, then ALL of it applys, ie 50 on duel carriageways as well as 40 on singles
Consideration is cheap but a life is expensive!
thing is mate if i pull over for 10 cars, the time i get that 30 tons behind me going again there is another 7 behind me. and tell you the truth im restricted to 40 by law and it says in the highway code any large slow moving vechicle pull over when you have a tailback behind you - well im not a slow moving vechicle that is the speed set by the law - what causes the problems is people dont know how to safely overtake.
when your pulling 30 tons plus with a pishy axor 1843 model - then tell me that you would pull over or you only have an hour’s driving time left to find somewhere to park up for the night id like to see you pull over then.
next time i see a sprinter in the tailback behind me i’ll be thinking of you
cos im not pulling over
i just stay at 40 no matter how big the tailback is.
merc0447:
What a rediculous attitude to have as a ‘professional’ HGV driver!
I was about to blast you for suggesting that LGV drivers break the speed limit to accomodate you BUT…
… Then I realised you were ‘asking’ them to pull over which from your perspective seems the obvious thing to do BUT…
merc0447:
I only drive a Sprinter van nowadays but I must agree with alot of the posts here.
40 mph can and is very dangerous in many situations.
Car and truck drivers need more education on how and where to overtake and to leave a big enough gap between vehicles to allow others to ‘leapfrog’ if they so wish (dont speed up to close the gap in front of you)
Pull over to let others by if necessary.
If your going to obay the Law, then ALL of it applys, ie 50 on duel carriageways as well as 40 on singles
Consideration is cheap but a life is expensive!
… as you can see, there are other factors to consider…
zebadee:
thing is mate if i pull over for 10 cars, the time i get that 30 tons behind me going again there is another 7 behind me. and tell you the truth im restricted to 40 by law and it says in the highway code any large slow moving vechicle pull over when you have a tailback behind you - well im not a slow moving vechicle that is the speed set by the law - what causes the problems is people dont know how to safely overtake.
when your pulling 30 tons plus with a pishy axor 1843 model - then tell me that you would pull over or you only have an hour’s driving time left to find somewhere to park up for the night id like to see you pull over then.
next time i see a sprinter in the tailback behind me i’ll be thinking of you
cos im not pulling over
… I think we had this discussion within the last 12 months on this site and I think it ended up with -
If it is reasonable and practical to pull over then OK but it is not a legal requirement to do so.
Rog, there was no way I was suggesting that any driver break the speed limit - ever
As an ex-fireman, HO approved Class 1 Advanced driver, HGV Class 1 driver of many years experience in UK and Europe, I have seen to many ‘accidents’ and the consequences of speeding or reckless driving in the inappropriate place to last me a life time thank you.
I was suggesting that Merc0447 has the wrong attitude to other road users and seems happy to cause un-necessary problems for them whilst carrying out his ‘professional’ responsibilities!
It is just such attitudes that can cause the very frustration that will lead to another road user doing something foolish and putting themselves as well as others in unnecessary danger. I’ve no doubt he drives to close to the vehicle in front and deliberatly keeps his trailer out on the white line so anyone behind can’t even see past to get a chance to overtake!
yes zabadee assume the worst - its amazing how many people pull out the old advanced driver pi*h to get their point across - i have regular driving assessments as i work for a blue chip(oh the pain) and they have no problems with my driving abilities.
but although i cant speak for everyone - i would think id be in the majority in regards to pulling over question - not many would do it laden.
but i get people behind with a 2 mile straight road in front with no oncoming traffic and they still wont overtake me -.
too many passing points dont get used which means i have to pull over GTF
the law should be 50 but then you will still get mr high and mighty fireman still wanting you to pull over - real world mate half a million trucks,countless caravans, tractors,cyclists,sunday drivers do you want them all to pull over if their causing a tail back.
i have regular driving assessments as i work for a blue chip(oh the pain) and they have no problems with my driving abilities.
I dont think I ever questioned your driving ability - anyone can be a steering wheel attendant. I did however question your attitude!
but i get people behind with a 2 mile straight road in front with no oncoming traffic and they still wont overtake me -.
I totally agree with this statement and it pee’s me off to, especially when there isn’t quite enough space for me to get past the whole ■■■■ queue!
the law should be 50
I think I agreed to this in my first post!
mr high and mighty fireman
Speak to anyone who knows me (Rikki, Lucy, Daveydriver, Animal and plenty others on here) and they might disagree with you there!
I am however, a highly qualified and experienced driver of all types of vehicle and I do have respect for other road users!
Your ‘rant’ only goes to exacerbate your total disregard for other road users IMHO! So, we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this topic Mr Merc!
Going back slightly.I have seen trucks with a sticker on the back , saying something to the effect “That this lorry is restricted to 40mph it’s the law”
Going back to overtaking. When youngsters learn to drive it is very rare they will get a chance to overtake anything more than a milk float, cyclist, Roadsweeper or tractor… Therefore when they pass they have no idea of what to do.
So they make it up and hope for the best, get gung ho and start overtaking dangerously or sit back and do nothing.
The only overtaking usually done is on a DC, where of course it is relatively easy.
Overtaking 50 foot trucks on A roads can be a daunting experience, one that without considerable thought and planning will get you to your final destination quicker than you thought .
chippy:
Going back to overtaking. When youngsters learn to drive it is very rare they will get a chance to overtake anything more than a milk float, cyclist, Roadsweeper or tractor… Therefore when they pass they have no idea of what to do.
Excellent point - perhaps it ought to be part of basic B training.
The overtake does not have to be completed to practise it - the driver can close up to 1 second behind and offset to the right then, without increasing speed, move into the oncoming lane then move back in behind followed by easing off back to the 2 second gap.
surely is more dangerous to do 40 in a town than most ‘A’ roads
that will be two morons on ere then 
Usually negotiating several tractors. We try not hold up traffic, but inevitably get some, most of which sits happily behind - well they must be happy otherwise they would overtake!
