Have those town road planner ever heard of lorries?

[supersmiley]

For weeks I’ve been meaning to ask u folks about this…cos I can’t work out whether I’m just a crap driver or the town road planners have never heard of lorries…

Been doing this excellent job through me agency…(well today was potentially me last…boo…hoo…)…delivering mainly to a particular chain of furniture stores in town centres…all over…Taking into account that i only passed me test just before xmas…and since had only done one session before which required…driving within your normal 9-5 traffic…on ordinary streets…I’ve got to say…i’ve impressed myself with my driving…especially in these awkward towns …although there are times i’d prefer not to be in some situations…

Back to the problem (let me mention…I’ve been drawing a 45ft tri axle trailer with an 05 Axor unit)…quite often when entering a roundabout…(and a few left turns)…irrelevant of exit direction…the trailer wheels…rub up against the kerb or go over…sometimes i find myself having to go further forward straight towards the roundabout itself…to avoid this…(or railings)…but causes extra stress cos.u have to force cars to severely move over further…from their original chosen path…in some cases cars have to virtually stop…
Quite often i can see where other lorries have just gone over the kerb…but when i was training and did my test…going over kerbs was a big NO-NO…in the event that u hadn’t seen a pedestrian…and u gave them the 40ton deluxe version of flat feet…I’ve seen other lorries make the corner without no problem…(although i wonder if there trailers is a slight bit shorter…this thing is blooming long)

Now this problem has been bugging me for too long…and as we all know when u keep going to new places…(especially when your lost as well…or your minds spinning hoping u don’t go down the wrong road)…these things happen easily…(+ when your a bit tired or not focusing properly)…
So does anyone have any advise or tips on the best method of approach…splitting lanes is tempting but naughty…i do it when needed and same with taking up space from the other lane…or shall i simply just get me baseball bat ready and visit the town planning offices

Ta

If anything though this stress has never…beaten the SuperSmiley Smile…so don’t let anything beat u from Smiling…and saying indicator thanks next time someone flashes u in…the amount of drivers whom don’t do that…well out of order!!! (Especially when u’ve got yourself in a tight spot…and their helping u out!!! Wheeee!!!

[gardun]

Take as much room as you need to make the turn - the highway code states that you should be prepared for large vehicles using more of the road when turning or negotiating roundabouts. If you need to block a lane to make room then do it - without forcing anyone off the road of course

I often straddle two lanes on the approach to a r/bout to stop muppets trying to over or under-take me. Better upset them than flatten them although I sometimes wonder

The one thing both my instructors drummed into me was “Show them how much room you need”. Use body language (eg the position of your truck and the direction you are pointing) to suggest where you are trying to go. Doesn’t always work, but most muppets don’t want to argue with 38+ tonnes

Use your mirrors, advanced planning and positioning, and clear signals (if your truck has indicators - not all seem to ) and go for it (carefully).

If there’s only two choices remember that pedestrians make less mess of the truck but are harder to knock back into shape than cars

That’s how I try to do it - not that I’ve been at it long. No doubt others will have more experience to draw on.

Trust me - I’m not a doctor

[knight]

I take what ever room I think I need ,carefully . I don’t want to damage anyone or anything. But some places just are not designed with trucks in mind. Having said that one Sweet factory I used to go to is at the end of a street which hasn’t changed since it opened over 120 years ago. Only difference is now they park cars on it.