That was posted not long back, cowboy & proud of it.

Gday...

Certainly putting himself and others in jeopardy. Some think they are invincible. He certainly was aptly described in video.   

However, even though they do not have to, perhaps both van drivers (the one with camera and the one in front) should have been carefully watching their mirrors as they approached the end of the overtaking lane for whackers like this bloke who try to force their way through and backed off so they reduced the potential for danger to themselves and let the whacker have the road to himself if he wanted to "pull the trigger". These instances happen all too frequently ... and it is not just truckies who push the limit at the end of overtaking lanes.

The essence of Defensive Driving is just that ... being fully aware of your surroundings and other road users (in 360degrees) and taking what precautions may be necessary to reduce the potential for any danger.

And this video has certainly done the rounds ... this must be the 80th time I have seen it ... on forums and in email. Bad news travels for ever.

Cheers - John

[edit: geez - wish I could spell - all fixed ]

-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 25th of June 2013 07:53:36 AM

Gday...

No apology needed weedy ... bad  news gotta keep gitten shared

Cheers - John

Both Les and myself have met drivers like this too, some truckers and some cars. They totally believe the road is for their use only, and that everyone should bow down to them, or give way at least.

Les would have been the truck driver blasting hell out of him, I would have and have done, got the number plate and the company they work for and gave it to the police and/or their company. The guy seriously needs retraining.

Thank you for that weedy, I have never seen it.

I had not seen it either thanks for posting it, To help when emerging from left hand lane a rear view camera makes it much safer and you can see what is happening behind you all the time.

Hope the cops got him

David

If I'm told by another driver to "get off the road", my question is: "Whose road?"

There is enough stress in everyday life without adding to it by being a roadhog. If someone wants to get past, for whatever reason, they I move over, if it's at all possible. I expect others to do the same for me.

I also expect people to move quickly through traffic lights, especially when they change infrequently. I hate being caught at the lights just because some inconsiderate snail didn't give a damn about the drivers behind him.

Then you have those people who drive three abreast, oblivious to the drivers on their bumpers. Personally I find speedsters to be the least problematic drivers on the road. At least they're attentive, plus they get out of way.

rockylizard wrote:

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Gday...

Firstly, There can be no disagreement the driver of the low-loader did the wrong thing. He arrived too late to complete his overtaking manoeuvre and became a danger himself and all the other road users.

However, let's also look at the video as a "Defensive Driving" training video. One of those "What not to do" type of training videos.

Video begins showing a slow moving van ahead of a line of patiently waiting (?) cars and our "video man". Eventually, the group get to an Overtaking Lane. Dutifully all the vehicles between "video man" and the leading 'slow moving' van pull out and safely overtake. Additionally a couple of vehicles from behind "video man" overtake "video man".

Surely by this point, 14.33.13 on video, or earlier, "video man" would have been checking his mirror and would have known there was a big truck behind him. In fact he should have known this for some time, given the procession prior to the overtaking lane. "Video man" has a CB, and obviously knows how to use it, but he did not contact the truck behind him at any time to advise a) I can see you, b) overtaking lane ahead, c) I will maintain speed (or slow a bit) and stay left so you can come around. Now THAT would have probably meant there would not have been an incident to put up online.

That notwithstanding, "video man" at this point (14.33.13) now moves right up behind the 'slow moving' van, leaving no room for anyone who made an error of judgement, any scope to pull back in before the overtaking lane ended. Another small, but significant contributor to the 'incident'.

The front 'slow moving' van as well was not watching his mirror, or could not see behind the "video man's" tug and rig because it was so close, and did not slow to minimise the impending 'incident'. He did 'stay left' for as long as he could, but he did not slow.

As I said, this video is a lesson to us all on why, how, we should all adopt defensive driving techniques in our driving. We are always going to encounter 'idiots', but sometimes, like ourselves, someone makes a small mistake, a small loss of concentration, a poor judgement. We need to be prepared to take defensive actions to minimise the potential of such actions and be prepared.

The most critical part of defensive driving is the ability to "read the traffic". One must be fully aware, at all times, of their surroundings and contribute to a safe flow of traffic. One must always hope, and it is often a forlorn hope, that should we, ourselves, make one of those 'lapses' mentioned above, other drivers are 'driving defensively' as well.

In conclusion, apologies to referring in each case above that the driver is "he". The only driver we know is of male gender is "video man" - any of the others may have been a woman. I just didn't want to do the he/she thing.

Anyway - cheers - and happy travelling, stay vigilant, alert and 'read the traffic' - John

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 Well written Rocky.Always beware of overtaking vehicles,especially those who wait until the last few meters before moving into the right hand lane to overtake you.

herbie wrote:

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Drivers can be booked for driving under the posted speed limit. just need to go into some of the blogs regarding this,to see how often this is happening to people.

It can been seen as stopping the flowing traffic.

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Gday...

One would hope you are not suggesting that vans should be towed at the posted speed limits rather than at a speed that ensures the stability of the van and at a speed that remains within the performance limits of the towing vehicle with such a load? Perhaps, even to remain within the abilities of the driver.

I would suggest those that have been booked for "driving under the posted speed limit" were actually creating a danger to other road users by travelling at such a slow speed they were hindering, rather than "stopping" the flowing traffic.

Mirrors are mandated on all vehicles. However, unfortunately it is not mandated they are used by the driver. It is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure they travel without causing a hindrance to other road users. If travelling below a posted speed limit causes a build-up of following traffic, it is therefore the responsibility of that driver to take action to relieve that situation. Pullover at a safe place and allow the "hindered" traffic to pass for instance.

As I stated previously, "The most critical part of defensive driving is the ability to "read the traffic" which means ensuring traffic flow is maintained - no matter what speed you are travelling at. I very much doubt any driver has been booked for being considerate to other road users - only for being inconsiderate.

Cheers - and more happy travelling and staying safe - John