Just Not Cricket!

meetoo · Guru

RE: Just Not Cricket!

madaboutled · Guru

Today we traveled the Bruxner H'Way from Casino to Tenterfield, on at least 6 occasions I pulled over when it was safe to left banked up cars/trucks past. At one stage I got a hoon behind me and he was there for less that 3 minutes as we were going UP a steep grade. Well he just couldn't wait, and passed me on a bend with double white lines and no way he could see past me but overtook anyway. As he passed, this P plater sounded his horn whilst waving his fist out the window. Can only imagine what he was saying.

Why is this relevant? Simple, perhaps the driver in the OP's story simply felt there was no place in his opinion to pull over safely. Some people when they get stuck behind someone else just get frustrated too quickly and have no consideration or concept what might be going through the slower drivers mind.

Desert Dweller · Guru

Anyone that tows a large caravan over 100kph is pretty dumb. Like most ''big rigs'' they're probably overweight as well.

Ger08 · Senior Member

G'day DavRo

The original post didn't mention Subaru - however I think this whole issue comes back to common courtesy and respect. If you want to tow at a substantially lower speed than is sign posted and allowed, then do the decent thing and pull over and allow those vehicles behind to get past safely. If your vehicle has issues keeping up to a reasonable speed ie not below 80 and certainly closer to 100 then maybe you should consider getting a more appropriate vehicle and not a Subaru. BTW how is the Pajero Sport - we have one and love it.

dogbox · Guru

madaboutled wrote:

Today we traveled the Bruxner H'Way from Casino to Tenterfield, on at least 6 occasions I pulled over when it was safe to left banked up cars/trucks past. At one stage I got a hoon behind me and he was there for less that 3 minutes as we were going UP a steep grade. Well he just couldn't wait, and passed me on a bend with double white lines and no way he could see past me but overtook anyway. As he passed, this P plater sounded his horn whilst waving his fist out the window. Can only imagine what he was saying.
Why is this relevant? Simple, perhaps the driver in the OP's story simply felt there was no place in his opinion to pull over safely. Some people when they get stuck behind someone else just get frustrated too quickly and have no consideration or concept what might be going through the slower drivers mind.

and here lies the problem some one is always in a hurry an hasn't got time to smell the roses an sit behind a rig travelling at a comfortable/economical speed an will try to get past at the first chance they can even if it is not safe therefore creating a potential deadly hazard putting more than just themselves at risk

meetoo · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
Anyone that tows a large caravan over 100kph is pretty dumb. Like most ''big rigs'' they're probably overweight as well.

You say that most "big rigs" are probably overweight. Why is that? How do you back up that statement?

Cheers, John.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

........ because the 'educational' weigh-ins that have been getting carried out in most states have shown that to be the case.

Might only be less than 100Kg but too many are a cuppla hundred Kg over. cry

When the 'authorities' get serious on these weigh-ins there will be some very upset van owners. hmm

Let's hope the van manufacturers see the light and more accurately determine TARE and realistic ATMs before the proverbial hits the fan.

Cheers - John

Woody n Sue · Guru

Popcorn anyone

The Belmont Bear · Guru

In NSW (and I believe nationaly) the maximum towing speed for rigs with a combinded mass over 4500kg is 100kph so any speed above that would be an offence regardless of the posted speed limit. Sorry ger08 I wasn't implying that the tug in the OP was a Suburu I was only suggesting that if Macka was correct when he quoted the law then Suburu owners had better not tow anything on a highway with a speed limit of 110kph or over or they will find themselves in trouble. As far as the Pajero Sports goes it is quite capable of pulling our 2700kg van but there are probably better tugs around for towing that much weight - when it comes to an all rounder i.e tow vehicle/off road /comfort around town it continues to rank pretty highly in comparison testing against it's competitors. IMHO if you were to reduce the weight being towed by 500kg then I believe it would be pretty hard to beat.

cheers BB

Ger08 · Senior Member

Hi BB

Slightly off topic - but sort of fuel economy are your getting when towing?

C00P · Senior Member

I once had a short-term job where I drove a rental car in every capital city over a period of about 6 weeks. It was interesting to compare the driving styles.

Adelaide- my home state. We simply don't have traffic jams here, so no-one gives an inch to anyone and it's the survival of the biggest.
Melbourne- When you get into the stream of traffic, put your foot down or you'll be run down by the locals. AS long as you are on the speed limit or higher, you'll be fine.
Sydney- Bent, twisty streets that don't meet at right angles and too many cars and one-way streets. Easily the most cooperative traffic because without cooperation, nobody gets anywhere. But when they open a space for you, get into it quickly or cop a mouthful of abuse.
Brisbane- Has the best street signage, probably due to having some big international events there (Commonwealth games, Expo, ). But almost all of the traffic is big, lifted, aggressive-looking 4WD's which can be a bit intimidating in your roller-skate rental...
Hobart- Just a big country town. Shut your eyes and drive through, you won't hit anything.
Perth- Like Adelaide, except there is this huge freeway cutting the CBD in half and you have to drive 10 kms just to get to the next block on the other side.

This was back in about 1998, no doubt things have changed now...

C00P

JocknNik · Senior Member

Me, foamy or frothy? Yep. Sadly I'm only human. Not a devine being like a few here. Incredible how some caravanners here have the gall to lecture on the need to chill out under all circumstances. It is they who are making assumptions. Which of course means they expect not just me but everyone who is held up by a caravanner to just take it on the chin and like it! Such arrogance. Not all of us are living permanently on Nomad Time! Most of us have a life beyond the Jayco.

And comparing the situation between a trucker who is trying to earn a living and will usually go as fast as his rig is physically and safely able at any given time, and a RVer swanning along in La La Land, is absurd. I will always give particular respect to safe truck operators above and over touring caravanners, especially when I'm wearing the RVer's hat. You might see it differently. You paid your road taxes and all that guff. Well, it's chicken feed compared to what professional operators have to cough up, and the pressure they're under.

When the incident happened we were wearing our 'other motorists' hats, not towing a van ourselves. Along with the other dozen or so drivers who were slowed down and unable to pass safely on that particular stretch of road, we had a right to expect we would be able to complete our 250 kay journey back home in reasonable time and before the witching hour. Our choice of home just happens to be a house, not a mobile 'wherever you are right now'. Yes sometimes traffic does get clogged up. But when an individual vanner just can't get along at more than 20 kays under the speed limit, and often a fair bit less, it is he or she who should be seeking an alternate route to a major single lane artery, busy on any fine weekend. Far as I'm concerned, if an operator is reduced to towing that slowly by a poorly balanced rig (underpowering, particularly, if that was their problem) then there is at least a need to make allowances for other road users, not risk the ire of others who might be reduced to performing dangerous acts to get where they are going. We didn't, but others ahead were champing at the bit to get around the rig, but couldn't.

Wanda, yes, it does take all kinds to make a world, and I'm far from perfect. But I DO try to be considerate to other road users. And expect the same in return. And by the way, thanks to those understanding folks who sympathize. 'Nuf Said.

JocknNik · Senior Member

Er, maybe not enough said. I DID say the tug was a Landy. That's WA-speak for a Land Cruiser... :)

-- Edited by JocknNik on Friday 19th of May 2017 01:44:20 AM

Wanda · Guru

Hi Jock

Well said, I was actually agreeing with you all the way!!
Ian

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Strength 02.png

Cheers - John

Bryan · Guru

JocknNik wrote:
Er, maybe not enough said. I DID say the tug was a Landy. That's WA-speak for a Land Cruiser... :)

-- Edited by JocknNik on Friday 19th of May 2017 01:44:20 AM

I thought Landy referred to a Land Rover but it suits both I suppose.

Tony Bev · Guru

I also know that section of road well, (by motor car, and not so much as a traveller), so I agree with the original poster JocknNik

I also think that we may be trying to preach to the church choir here

Unfortunately there are travelling brothers, and also travelling bruvvers
I believe that those who (for whatever reason), do not pull over to allow a train of traffic to pass, when the opportunity arises, are probably not the sort, to come onto this forum

I also agree with those who say, that when there is nothing you can do, when caught behind a slow moving inconsiderate travelling bruvver, then just keep smiling and enjoying life

Perhaps as the travelling bruvver, was coming from the Augusta area, where there are no free camps, which I know of
They may be travellers who use caravan parks

It may pay to advise on the caravan forums, what had happened, for the bruvvers to read about themselves

SouthernComfort · Guru

JocknNik wrote:
...........I guess we joined the line of vehicles behind the rig, about 25 kays south of Margaret River (WA). The whole stretch of road between Karridale and Margaret River township offers very few safe places to pass, with mainly double white lines on the single-lane (each way) run, and oncoming traffic meant no chance at all. The driver of the rig couldn't find it in himself to exceed 80km/hr at any time while we were behind him on this mainly 110 km/hr road and was often down to 50/60 km/hr on hills and rises (towing in 'drive', or high gear?? )
The line-up behind became ever longer. Two excellent sealed-surface parking bays - among others - were passed by us all during the crawl, but the rig driver wasn't prepared to pull in and let the crowd move on. Finally we managed to lose this selfish twit just north of Margaret River, where decent passing lanes commence..........

Just curious Jock, how far did you have to travel behind this guy, 30kms or so?

Desert Dweller · Guru

We drive to the road/weather conditions, terrain & ignore tailgating boguns. They can overtake when they wanna' take their chances. Enjoying our retirement, stress free.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Some of your so called "tailgating bogans" are actually just trying to make a living.

Here is a sample of just common courtesy. It is really easy to just back off a bit or move over to allow other vehicles past.

https://video-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t42.1790-2/18528989_445139945833914_4005171129390989312_n.mp4?efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9zZCJ9&oh=3bc978f0aaf4e4c15fbfe88a1243607f&oe=5920F1D9

It is also a good example of how to communicate with a truck travelling behind you if you have a UHF.

-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Saturday 20th of May 2017 08:09:37 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Exactly how I operate Geoff. Works well every time. Stress free travelling and the truck drivers get their job done hopefully on time and safe.

Well done driver behind the camera.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Edit.... forgot to say, helps gives the GN traveller a good name too.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 20th of May 2017 10:37:05 AM

The Belmont Bear · Guru

A few weeks ago when travelling between Sofala and Hillend which is a fairly narrow windy road I had the misfortune of getting caught behind a full cattle truck for over 40klms travelling at least 20km below the speed limit. What really annoyed me was that he had seen me approaching and intentionally pulled out in front of me at a T section instead of waiting until I had passed. Then only a few days later I again got stuck behind a beat up old Toyota coaster blowing a lot of blue smoke and probably capable of doing 95kph down hills and along the flats, his speed quickly slowed to half that when climbing anything larger than an anthill. I along with a couple of other vanners followed this guy from Denman all the way back to Jerry Plains because he refused to pull over and let us through although plenty of cars passed him no one towing a van would risk overtaking on that particular section of road. Nothing puts up your fuel consumption more than continually dropping off your speed to a crawl and then having to put your foot down to regain it. Was I happy - absolutely not but in reality the only option I had was to pull over somewhere and wait for awhile and if we hadn't been trying to beat an approaching thunder storm I probably would have.

It's not only caravaners who show contempt for other road users.

JocknNik · Senior Member

Bryan, I think you might be right. But the message got across in the end I suppose. In any case, biggish vehicle towing a middle sized rig. Rockylizard just can't help himself. Don't think he read my second post.

Tony, yep about 25/30 kays. The two sealed parking bays are well south of Margaret River and are roadside, easy access and roomy, well pre posted bays. Still, the vanner couldn't find it in themselves to pull over. That's what really got our backs up. There was also that little problem of a following car which made no attempt to pass when a possibility presented - only once or twice in the episode. That meant a doubly dangerous pass for any following vehicle. Nobody was prepared to try. I wouldn't have. Just enough oncoming traffic to lock things up.

Thanks Wanda. Glad you see most of us are just human who don't have unlimited time in their lives. I'm posting this not to preach to the converted, but in the hope that those who lurk, and there are always lots more than posters, get the message.

Coop, interesting post. Having recently had the chance to sample traffic in Adelaide, we found that things were certainly no worse than in the west, but the often narrow streets could be a challenge. Otherwise, our exposure to bad drivers in three states was minimal. No worse than in the west.

I guess there is only one thing that concerns me about doing the cruet at the caravanner. It's that the driver of the rig may have been an even older fart than me, and possibly mentally can't handle moving his rig at a reasonable speed. Might be time for such a person to re-consider their travelling options. These days, it's a big bad world on the road out there.

-- Edited by JocknNik on Saturday 20th of May 2017 01:19:13 PM

-- Edited by JocknNik on Saturday 20th of May 2017 01:35:25 PM

Dickodownunder · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Exactly how I operate Geoff. Works well every time. Stress free travelling and the truck drivers get their job done hopefully on time and safe.

Well done driver behind the camera.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Edit.... forgot to say, helps gives the GN traveller a good name too.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 20th of May 2017 10:37:05 AM

Hi Doug

Here is an example of almost the opposite situation.

This situation may be caused by impatience on part of the overtaking vehicle but I would guess it to be more to be innattention or just stupidity and lack of judgement.

https://video-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t42.1790-2/18590860_1295436917238608_3946331735293165568_n.mp4?efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9zZCJ9&oh=6cffcecba0ebc8a257e10843f6529b17&oe=59218D28

Mike Harding · Guru

If I'm travelling slowly and am holding people up I pull over to let them pass. It's just basic courtesy isn't it...?

JocknNik · Senior Member

Just as a matter of interest, the two worst instances of dangerous passing I can recall experiencing were: A family man with kids in his vehicle, shot past on a double-white-line small steep rise, soon after we entered Victoria. And some years ago on a mid-western country highway, being passed by a older bloke travelling at speed across a double white line around a blind bend. I was doing 100 km/hr on a 110 k/h road. I consider that guy as suicidal. The other one was a suicidal child abuser.

Bryan · Guru

Jock, I travel down that way to Augusta at least 6 times a year but use Sues Road to get a clear run and bypass all the small towns including Margaret River which is way too busy for me.

JocknNik · Senior Member

Bryan, we actually considered using Sues Rd for the trip home. Wish we had as it turned out. We live up north of Mandurah. Long weekend a few years ago, we got stuck in a major traffic jam from Margaret River north after there was a surfing event there. Moving at about 6 kays an hour. Out with the map book (yep we're luddites aww ) and we took a back road from the highway into Capel, then thru Dardanup and on to SW Highway. Lovely run.. everyone was on the Forrest Hwy.