Ive speed read the thread because this whole subject makes me yawn. I drive a 44 truck all day everyday, nationally and internationally. The German system works well for cars only. Try driving 200 miles in Germany where in May to September trucks cant overtake on one particular route where you are stuck behind an old Turkish/Polish whatever truck which has seen better days, is fully loaded, and doing 35/40 mph most of the way! Imagine doing that with your boss on the phone wondering why its taking you so long to get through Germany......or anywhere.

The Uk seems to be trialling no overtaking for anything over 7.5 tons around the country at the moment. I guess they are planning to maybe implement this permanantly if the results prove favourable.

I might start a thread about car drivers who want to sit at "truck speed" on the motorway, given that 56 mph shown on a car speedo isnt the same as 56 mph shown on a truck speedo (calibrated) and they get in the way. Then when you pull alongside, they speed up as they dont want to be passed by a truck. Interestingly most of them are Skoda's !!

The trucks passing each other slowly is a problem for everyone, I'll concede that point, but don't blame us truck drivers, blame Europe - they implemented the speed limiters in the first place. Our speed limit as mentioned is 60 mph, but we are limited to 56 mph (90 kmh) to fall in line with Europe. That sucks.

AND... while Im at it, why dont we charge foriegn trucks to use our roads? They come here on cheaper fuel, causing accidents, filling up parking areas so I cant find anywhere to park at night anymore, and they dont have to pay a penny.

I understand that, but it's times when HGVs pull out when you've got no where to other than to brake very hard and let the stupid **** come in front of you

I'll let them out if there's room for me to move, same as any other vehicle, but if there isn't then there's not a lot I can do.

Most people dont let trucks out at all, and in fact speed up to avoid letting them out. If Im on a 3 lane MWay, and im trying to move into lane 2 from 1, car coming up in lane 2 wont let me out but I can see lane 3 is clear, having given them ample time to see my indication and check to see if lane 3 is clear (i can already see this is the case) I move out anyway Ive been called allsorts in sign language. Obviously some truckers will just pull out regardless.

At the end of the day - Im bigger than a car, so if it comes to it - i'll do whatever the **** I need to

Most people dont let trucks out at all, and in fact speed up to avoid letting them out. If Im on a 3 lane MWay, and im trying to move into lane 2 from 1, car coming up in lane 2 wont let me out but I can see lane 3 is clear, having given them ample time to see my indication and check to see if lane 3 is clear (i can already see this is the case) I move out anyway Ive been called allsorts in sign language. Obviously some truckers will just pull out regardless.

Totally agree with Dave about the lack of consideration regarding motorist refusing to move over into a clear lane to allow a lorry to overtake from lane one into lane two, and not cause the aggro that has been mentioned in this thread.

All it takes is having seen the indicator of the lorry come on is for the car driver just to give a quick flash of his or headlights to let the LGV driver know that they have seen his intention to come out, and then for them to go the third or safe lane and overtake the LGV in total safety.

Hardly rocket science...but too confusing for most.

I agree about shooting MLOCers!

For the truckers, if you think you're about to want out, let us know then instead of turning on your indicator exactly when you want to start changing lanes, or else stop greeting about "how car drivers don't let you out"! We're not psychics!!

agree with shifty, the biggest problem on the uk roads is the lack of manners. If people were more courteous and considerate there be less road rage, probably less congestion as there wouldnt be the slamming on with brakes and a nicer smoother journey. There is also the drivers who little road knowledge and those who fail to plan ahead like the middle lane hoggers who wont move over either to let a vehicle in lane 1 in to lane 2 or causing someone in lane one haveing to go to lane 3 to overtake then back to lane one.

I could also add on 4 and 5 line motorways driving down one of these in a truck that lanes one will have the trucks with some in lane two, but where is everyone else in lanes 4 and 5 travelling slower than the lorries in lanes 1 and 2, so how does this get blamed on truckers when most car drivers cant even grasp the concept of lane discipline?

I dont think taking all trucks off the road would make to much difference to be honest except cause shops to run dry. companies like tesco's have deliveries going into their supermarkets 24/7 as they dont carry enough stock to cope with demands for more than a day or two. But then it doesnt matter what we say in this thread like Mr Cheeze pointed out, the EU wont listen to us.

I agree about shooting MLOCers!

For the truckers, if you think you're about to want out, let us know then instead of turning on your indicator exactly when you want to start changing lanes, or else stop greeting about "how car drivers don't let you out"! We're not psychics!!

i will look in my mirrors, indicate as the car passes, leave the indicators going for 3 flashes making sure its clear and indicating my intentions then move out, however some days you can sit there ages with a good dozen or so cars moving pass inches away from the vehicle in front as they so determined to get by. Lets face it letting a lorry out to overtake isnt going to slow you done especially when traffic isnt even anywhere near NSL. i let trucks out not cos i drive one, but i know once its pulled back in again the road will be slightly clearer ahead of me creating space and less hazzards and giving more vision.

Oh forgot to say i also give the indicator left right flash to say thanks too, well to the drivers that let me out and flash me back in and a thanks with my hand too as manners cost nothing and give you a warm feeling when someone acknowledges your courtesy.

I agree, we should adopt the german system which prohibits lorries using all but the inside lane during peak hours or when the electronic roadsigns indicate the restriction. I have driven in germany quiet a bit and it makes a huge difference to traffic flow.

That was the EU country I was refering to when I said it works well. There is no need to ban them from lane 2 outside of peak hours so I guess:

1 anytime

2 outside of peak hours

3/4/5 If there (not for vehicles over 7.5t)

i will look in my mirrors, indicate as the car passes, leave the indicators going for 3 flashes making sure its clear and indicating my intentions then move out, however some days you can sit there ages with a good dozen or so cars moving pass inches away from the vehicle in front as they so determined to get by. Lets face it letting a lorry out to overtake isnt going to slow you done especially when traffic isnt even anywhere near NSL. i let trucks out not cos i drive one, but i know once its pulled back in again the road will be slightly clearer ahead of me creating space and less hazzards and giving more vision.

Oh forgot to say i also give the indicator left right flash to say thanks too, well to the drivers that let me out and flash me back in and a thanks with my hand too as manners cost nothing and give you a warm feeling when someone acknowledges your courtesy.

Agreed totally; it wasn't meant to any one specifically. What I hate are guys who seem to expect me to vanish or swerve in free-flowing traffic, when a little planning would have let me change lanes smoothly instead.

If the details of the situation were right, I probably was the one that let you out, and smiled when you acknowledged the fact.

Having followed two lorries down the M74 for 15 miles as neither would yield (outside lane probably couldn't as 5 miles of cars up his rear) it would help if the vehicle being overtaken would maintain the speed that caused the "requirement" to overtake, after that it could then get back to speed behind the more powerful / lighter truck

A bit of courtesy from one trucker to another would go a long way

harumph

The biggest problem lies with the lack of understanding the normal motorist has regarding an LGV, much more education is needed, a good idea would be having to sit as a passenger in a truck when you do your driving lessons.

A 44T truck takes a long time to build its speed up, so if they have to lift off to allow a car to pass, when they finally pull out they will have lost most of their momentum needed for the overtaking maneuver, they also cannot stop as quick as a small hatchback, yet does that stop the tw@s from overtaking them and then braking hard for their exit on the motorway?

SWMBO used to get really frustrated coming up the A20 from Dover (a long 2 mile? hill) when a truck would pull out to overtake a slower vehicle - that was until she came out in my truck for a week and saw what we have to deal with. She now reads the road much further ahead and if she can see a truck is catching another one, she will now flash him out.

All it needs is for everyone to read the road ahead better and not to be in such a rush to meet their maker, things would then run much smoother.

Overtaking bans do not work (unless you are a car driver) the slower heavier vehicles just clog everything up making entering and exiting the motorways a lottery.

Speed limiters are however a good thing, otherwise you are pushed into delivery schedules that are impossible to meet whilst driving legally, how many LGV's do you see driving at 40 mph on a single carriageway? not many!

Can anyone name me one other profession that if you do an extra 20 mins overtime, you stand to get a fine! (as you can for going over the drivers hours) likewise how would you feel if you didn't quite get the job done in the office, so you have to sleep in the cramped storeroom with no toilet facilities until the next morning??

The main problem is the rule makers have no actual experience on the transport industry, so seem to think that the rules are OK.

Regarding cars, what are you proposing to do about the cars who belong to the "Middle lane owners club", who, when there are just the two of you on the whole motorway, they just sit in lane two oblivious to everything, and force you from lane one to lane three to overtake?????

Indeed.

The above is far, FAR more of an annoyance than lorry drivers overtaking each other.

If trucks overtaking each other delays you each trip, leave 10 minutes earlier...

Gizmo, that was exactly my point, but with the note that you have to plan yourselves, and not expect cars to swerve or vanish when you try to indicate and go at the same time. I do use the "3 flash chop" sometimes, but not when something's coming up my back at about 4/3 of my speed!

Indeed.

The above is far, FAR more of an annoyance than lorry drivers overtaking each other.

If trucks overtaking each other delays you each trip, leave 10 minutes earlier...

There are already at least 2 calls for having MLOCers shot!

Also, it's not the initial 10 minutes, it's the fact that there are places where losing those 10 minutes mean that you lose another hour in a jam (and leaving 10 minutes earlier isn't always an option). Further on that, yes you can deal with losing 10 mins once, but if it happens 4 or 5 times in a day...

Fully agree Ken, the only time i use the 3 flashes then out* is when there is nothing in the outside lane to stop the car and me both overtaking at the same time.

This works both ways though, when I'm in my car i will indicate into the 3rd lane if i think that me stopping in the middle lane will hamper the trucks progress

* I actually 'drift' right up to my side of the white line first, this warns the approaching vehicle that "I AM COMING OUT, MOVE OVER"

Having followed two lorries down the M74 for 15 miles as neither would yield (outside lane probably couldn't as 5 miles of cars up his rear) it would help if the vehicle being overtaken would maintain the speed that caused the "requirement" to overtake, after that it could then get back to speed behind the more powerful / lighter truck

A bit of courtesy from one trucker to another would go a long way

harumph

Totally agree

I tend to be reosnably understanding & appreciate the problems trucks have. However on the odd occasion that something like this happens to me I drop in front of the lead truck once its overtaken & slowly back it up to about 30-40 mph, neither can pull out because of the long queue passing them. Contraversial I know but it least it reminds the Yorky bar kid that he should have manners also.

Generally I find truckers some of the best drivers on the road & 99.99% have very good manners, I guess its just the odd .01% as always

I love threads like this

There was another somewhere else on Briskoda where the "enemy" were old people.

Just chill out people! :cool::cool:

If you are stuck behind an overtaking truck doing 55mph for 10 miles when you "could" be doing 70mph it will add just 2.4 minutes to your journey. There is nothing you can do about it and ranting and raving will shove up your blood pressure and make you more likely to have an accident - both of which could shorten or end your life - is that a price worth paying for 2.4 minutes?

A wise man once said that to understand somebody else's problems you need to walk a mile in their shoes?

Someone on this thread said the same thing - that we should all spend time as a passenger in a truck - did that throughout my childhood in the school holidays with my old man. Don't drive 'em for a living but I have driven plenty of miles in 3.5te ulw box vans helping mates move house.

I also think that everyone should ride a motorcycle before they drive anything else so they understand how road surfaces change and how vulnerable we all are to the idiots on the road. Yep - done that too - now that is scary:eek:

I love threads like this

There was another somewhere else on Briskoda where the "enemy" were old people.

Just chill out people! :cool::cool:

If you are stuck behind an overtaking truck doing 55mph for 10 miles when you "could" be doing 70mph it will add just 2.4 minutes to your journey. There is nothing you can do about it and ranting and raving will shove up your blood pressure and make you more likely to have an accident - both of which could shorten or end your life - is that a price worth paying for 2.4 minutes?

A wise man once said that to understand somebody else's problems you need to walk a mile in their shoes?

Someone on this thread said the same thing - that we should all spend time as a passenger in a truck - did that throughout my childhood in the school holidays with my old man. Don't drive 'em for a living but I have driven plenty of miles in 3.5te ulw box vans helping mates move house.

I also think that everyone should ride a motorcycle before they drive anything else so they understand how road surfaces change and how vulnerable we all are to the idiots on the road. Yep - done that too - now that is scary:eek:

Agreed, Its just the odd trucker who takes the p**s & deserves a reminder.

Re Bikes I agree, I did 7 years on Bikes & learnt a lot, lost a few M8's as well, Its a hard apprentiship to driving. The other lesson I learnt, It might not be your fault but it still Kin hurts !

AND... while Im at it, why dont we charge foriegn trucks to use our roads? They come here on cheaper fuel, causing accidents, filling up parking areas so I cant find anywhere to park at night anymore, and they dont have to pay a penny.

Yes please.

Buy a Motorway Tax disk if you are over 7.5t and if you're based in the UK give tax breaks of equivalent value as on something essential to them.

Really gets me seeing non UK lorried doing runs from one part of the UK to another and then back for some companies. A 44 tonner will damage the road and that's not a problem *if* it is paid for. However a lot of it isn't paid for. Plus the loading rules elsewhere are not the same as here so they take more weight per axle causing more damage and still pay nowt.

I agree, we should adopt the german system which prohibits lorries using all but the inside lane during peak hours or when the electronic roadsigns indicate the restriction. I have driven in germany quiet a bit and it makes a huge difference to traffic flow.

I love German roads, especially the variable limits in the south (Munich and surrounding).

However the variable wont work unless like there heavily policed with adjusting camera's on every gantry and high fines.

Then off peak, and quiet roads, pump the limit up a little

If you are stuck behind an overtaking truck doing 55mph for 10 miles when you "could" be doing 70mph it will add just 2.4 minutes to your journey. There is nothing you can do about it and ranting and raving will shove up your blood pressure and make you more likely to have an accident - both of which could shorten or end your life - is that a price worth paying for 2.4 minutes?

Hmmm, how many of us drive at the legal 70mph limit I wonder? :rubchin:

And anyway, I'd rather spend those 2.4 minutes with my family than looking at the rear end of a truck for ten miles!

Some interesting points of view and ideas .......................... most of which are wrong of course! :P

Hmmm, how many of us drive at the legal 70mph limit I wonder? :rubchin:

Architects of your own downfall !!- if you (sorry, we) didn't drive so fast you wouldn't catch up with so many f***in' trucks :P:P

And anyway, I'd rather spend those 2.4 minutes with my family than looking at the rear end of a truck for ten miles!

Yes, it's always nice when the family come to visit in hospital

How many times have you seen people sat behind a truck even though its safe to move into the outer lane of a motorway to overtake them.

If you see me in my truck,and i look like im gonna try to overtake,i would move outta my way cause im bigger and heavier and can cause a lot more damage than you.so if i move out you better move out

If you see me in my truck,and i look like im gonna try to overtake,i would move outta my way cause im bigger and heavier and can cause a lot more damage than you.so if i move out you better move out

yea:thumbup:

remember the rules of the road,MIGHT IS RIGHT:P

i'm bigger so i'll do what i want,if you don't like it lump it;)

There are a minority of drivers who will not let the passing truck past,so they sit while one passes the other these drivers want shooting,but they are a minority,most will back it down a touch to aid the flow of traffic but as usual its a minority who ruin things for the majority:thumbdwn: