I think it should be a lkegal requirement for the overall width to be displayed on the inside of the driver's sun visor for all vehicles, both in imperial measurements and in metric.   The 6ft 6ins width restrictions on motorway roadworks are unknowingly being ignored by drivers of the larger SUV's and MPV's (An Audi Q7 is 7ft 1in wide for example) as well as the LWB Ford Transits, Mercedes Sprinters and all that ilk who probably do know they are over-width but just don't care.

Here, at the A329M junction with the M4, we have had a spate of accidents caused by over-width vehicles not being able to stay within the allotted narrow lanes at the road works.

 

Let's forget about "Average Speed Cameras" for a change and start conmcentrating on bringing the real causes of accidents to book!   It's only a small fine, but it might start educating drivers that they need to pay attention!

Edited 15 December, 201411 yr by bealine

Are there Diversion Routes set up for these PLG Vehicles to use when the roadworks are too narrow for them to proceed when the driver become aware that the vehicle they are driving is wider than is allowed through the road works.

 

What is the H&S on working beside live lanes, not within 1 Meter?

 

I see that being ignored on a daily basis.

I've never seen roadworks with a max width. Is this common?

Tbf to them, i couldnt tell you how wide my fabia is, or how wide the transporter is, or how wide a transit it. I know they get wider in that order, and i know what gaps i can fit through, but I dont know how wide they are.

Compared to the German roadworks our narrow lanes are very generous. When are trundling along next to the trucks over there in a rhd car you appreciate British roadworks.

Compared to the German roadworks our narrow lanes are very generous. When are trundling along next to the trucks over there in a rhd car you appreciate British roadworks.

Been there and collected a few T shirts...it's a bit white knuckle at times.

I've never seen roadworks with a max width. Is this common?

 

Yes, UK wide.

 

Compared to the German roadworks our narrow lanes are very generous. When are trundling along next to the trucks over there in a rhd car you appreciate British roadworks.

Been there and collected a few T shirts...it's a bit white knuckle at times.

 

Proper use of space especially fun when entering and exiting contraflow sections when they snake! The temp barrier on one side with wing mirror overhanding it and an inch or 2 from other wing mirror touching the vehicle next to you. The width of the lanes in themselves force greater concentration and more likely to see drivers observing the enforced speed limit. In the UK people just don't car as the only difference is a speed sign and 2.6billion cones. Driving offences committed in and around road works in Germany and you get punished fiercely as the risk to life of workers is taken into it (as it should be in the UK too IMO) 

Ive never noticed that haha

On roadworks near us at the moment there's lane width restrictions. The left hand lane (which is currently the hard shoulder being brought into use) is wider than the right hand lane. They do this so that HGVs and other wider vehicles can use that lane where the space is available for them, and the right hand lane is much narrower so that only cars can use it.

The 6ft 6ins width restrictions are very common - there is usually one lane reserved for over-width vehicles (up to 8ft 2ins).

As a rule of thumb, normal family cars and car derived vans fit the 6ft 6ins gauge, purpose built vans (Ford Transit and above) and light trucks do not.   Vehicles towing any form of trailer are prohibited from using a width restricted lane.

Eventually, the signs will go over to metric.

Lets stick with metric then.

 

So a Audi Q7 is 1983 mm wide, (6ft 6")

 but to the mirror tips it is 2177 mm wide.

 

Is it the Mirrors that are causing causing accidents,

because the cars wheels and body fit OK in the restricted width of 2 meters.

 

As to Light Commercials, you often see Luton Van Drivers that seem to have little spatial awareness.

The same with people towing Trailers or Caravans.

http://smarthire.co.uk/vehicle-dimensions.htm

Edited 16 December, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

If you tried to go through a garage doorway which is 2mtrs wide, would you make it? If not and you hit the mirrors, then the left hand lane is where you should be. Absolute width is what's important, not the width something is if you ignore bits that stick out further than the width restriction.

Then post #1 is a great idea,  

clearly marked vehicle width where the driver can see.  Total width, & Hight Restriction.

 

& also clearly marked Speed Limit for that vehicle as well, on various carriageway types,

Also Big Stickers again on the rear to show the vehicles maximum allowed speed limit.

I think hire companies do a lot of stuff like that, so that the driver of an unfamiliar vehicle has a better idea of what the requirements are. The biggest issue really is people don't really care about it. They're more concerned about not getting caught when they do something which is wrong. Like the average speed cameras near me. If you come onto the roadworks on the dual carriageway at my closest junction, you then have 2 miles or so until the first camera. People take that as meaning you can drive like an idiot for 2 miles before slowing down to 50mph.

Here's an idea. The SPECs cameras could be linked to a manufacturers database which listed the vehicles width, and if a vehicle is in the wrong lane then they get a fine through the post. That sort of education would work.

The DVLA can not sort out the DATA BASE for current vehicles with VED etc,

but now ANPR can recognise Disabled Tax Class vehicles etc for Toll Bridges.

 

There are Fixed Cameras & Average Speed Cameras that recognise the Vehicles Taxation Class & Max Speed Limits,

there was one i knew of that was being piloted that could tell if it was a solo vehicle or towing.

so the Manufacturers Official Width should be no problem, its just that the UK has so many differing systems.

 

If you go on the A77 in Scotland the amazing thing is how 'some' HGV's seem to not need to go within the NSL for their vehicles,

and i have no idea how they have no issues with the Tacho.

Edited 16 December, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

I see a solution, does q7 have electric folding mirrors at the push of a button. Use that and then likely within the limit.

Ps, I hope people's sarcasm sensors are switched on.

I see a solution, does q7 have electric folding mirrors at the push of a button. Use that and then likely within the limit.

Ps, I hope people's sarcasm sensors are switched on.

Meh. Might aswel. Most of em dont use the mirrors anyway . Haha

I think hire companies do a lot of stuff like that, so that the driver of an unfamiliar vehicle has a better idea of what the requirements are. The biggest issue really is people don't really care about it. They're more concerned about not getting caught when they do something which is wrong. Like the average speed cameras near me. If you come onto the roadworks on the dual carriageway at my closest junction, you then have 2 miles or so until the first camera. People take that as meaning you can drive like an idiot for 2 miles before slowing down to 50mph.

Here's an idea. The SPECs cameras could be linked to a manufacturers database which listed the vehicles width, and if a vehicle is in the wrong lane then they get a fine through the post. That sort of education would work.

 

However, if the max width, max height, max speed and fuel type was clearly displayed on the sun visor, there would be no excuse for being unaware if they were caught.   No doubt they would still try something on "I forgot" or "I didn't know what the sign meant guv"

Have you driven many Eastern Build 4x4s,  and US Vehicles.

 

By the time you have read the Warnings & Advice,

it is time to knock off and go home.

 

Off the Topic of width, but on the topic of Professional Drivers & Speed Limits.

I asked the Senior Police Officer in Tayside why the Camera Safety Mobile Camera Vehicles where exceeding their Maximum allowed 

Speed by vehicle type.

First the excuse was they were being Delivered & Transportation Drivers would getting a talking to.

As it was they were on Duty at some times they were speeding,

& they have no tracker fitted, & some Drivers were not aware of the restricted speed by vehicle type.

Lets stick with metric then.

 

So a Audi Q7 is 1983 mm wide, (6ft 6")

 but to the mirror tips it is 2177 mm wide.

 

Is it the Mirrors that are causing causing accidents,

because the cars wheels and body fit OK in the restricted width of 2 meters.

 

As to Light Commercials, you often see Luton Van Drivers that seem to have little spatial awareness.

The same with people towing Trailers or Caravans.

http://smarthire.co.uk/vehicle-dimensions.htm

 

Imagine the scene then, hypothetically you and your Audi Q7 are travelling at the permitted 50mph in Lane 3 adjacent to the men working fixing the central barrier because you believe your 6ft 6ins sans mirror makes you legal.   A "Left Hooker" European articulated truck occupies Lane 1, but his offside wheels keep touching the temporary green lane marking studs ('cos he's not a very good driver and he's a bit tired) pushing the occupant of Lane 2, a White Van slightly over the 6ft 6 ins permitted width, causing him to stray into the green studs to your left.   You edge slightly to the right thinking that your car has plenty of room in Lane 3 when your offside mirror catches the elbow of a road worker  and catapults him over the crash barrier into the path of the oncoming traffic on the opposite carriageway.

This sort of thing happens.   In the 1970's when we never bothered putting enforceable speed limits at roadworks (except in contraflows and no one enforced them anyway), being a "navvy" was the most hazardous job in Britain with an extremely high mortality rate.   Casualty figures, whilst better, are still high in comparison with most other occupations which is the reason speed limits, width restrictions, height restrictions etc need to be enforced with an iron discipline.   The Germans have it right - do anything wrong and a Green/White VW Passat, BMW or Porsche will soon close in on you! 

Edited 16 December, 201411 yr by bealine

 

Surely if the driver has seen the signs, they should know whether they're in the right lane or not ? If they can't judge the width of the their vehicle, maybe they shouldn't be driving it ?

Beanline,

Best leave the images & imaginations with you.

 

No Motorways North of Perth in the UK, and when i am south of Perth i go with the flow.

& where i see a Q7 i automatically give them a wide berth.

 

I often hear in my home town & on the road in other towns HGV drivers on the CB joking about taking wing mirrors off badly parked vehicles.

I have actually listened and then watched a HGV or 3 trying to get the hit in.

Surely if the driver has seen the signs, they should know whether they're in the right lane or not ? If they can't judge the width of the their vehicle, maybe they shouldn't be driving it ?

 

That depends on

 

1. The driver seeing the signs.

2. The driver knowing the width of his vehicle.

3. The driver obeying the signs and selecting the correct lane.

 

I'm not sure that happens an awful lot.

1 & 2 is basic stuff. The third one can be enforced against as mentioned above.  I don't get this "I didn't see the sign babble". If you've not seen it, you're not looking hard enough, or at all in some cases.

You learn something new everyday.

 

I was in the inside lane on the 50mph restricted roadworks on the southbound carriageway of the A1 near Catterick last week.

 

From behind in the width-resricted lane 2 comes barelling an articulated HGV sat on his limiter doing a steady 56mph tailgating and bullying other cars to pull back into lane 1.

 

I did think he was quite close when he shot past i.e. in my lane, his nearside wheels were completely covering the white line lane divider.

 

Is this not allowed?

Edited 16 December, 201411 yr by silver1011

You learn something new everyday.

 

I was in the inside lane on the 50mph restricted roadworks on the southbound carriageway of the A1 near Catterick last week.

 

From behind in the width-resricted lane 2 comes barelling an articulated HGV sat on his limiter doing a steady 56mph tailgating and bullying other cars to pull back into lane 1.

 

I did think he was quite close when he shot past i.e. in my lane, his nearside wheels were completely covering the white line lane divider.

 

Is this not allowed?

You went right past my house!!

And (depending on whereabouts in the roadworks) he was both speeding and in the wrong lane.