Just done a short trip from Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne to Eight Mile Plains Qld, and return,after meeting with relies.
Wot Cheeses me orf are
1. Overtaking lanes that finish half to 3/4 the way up a long hill.
Now my tug isn't all that fast and does tend to slow somewhat going up steep hills when towing.
When I'm getting to the end of the passing lane,
2 There are usually a couple of late runners that try to pass just as the lane runs out, If I slow to let them in I have to drop right down in gears to get over the hill. If I don't then I move
into the proper lane,you can almost feel the frustration,"Bloody Caravaner"
3.It seems that there are a number of two door tray body vehicles that seem to wait for the last minute to pass. "Oh look there's a car I should be able to pass if I go at high speed "and
see"Just got in in time". This can be a little scary at times, apparently waiting is a no no.
I know I'm not the quickest vehicle on the road but Semi's and I get on with very few problems, But if you get behind a slow moving motor home 70kph is very slow, I pass them at
90kph wait for the semi to pass the motor home then let him know it's clear to pass me . That slow motor home never stopped in any side places to let any one pass.
End of rant
Keep safe out there.
-- Edited by Peterpan on Monday 3rd of July 2017 09:02:49 PM
Let them read the road rules. The overtaking lane gives way to the merging lane.
I always indicate right In The dotted last section of the Merging lane. The number that over take, still over the double lines doing 120km +.
Now I'm not Slow going up Hills with a 200TTD with a few specials within.
100km in the merge lane is not slow IMO with van in tow. The number of times that I have seen the good guys flick the blues and too's on, puts a smile on my dial.
Let them read the road rules. The overtaking lane gives way to the merging lane.
I always indicate right In The dotted last section of the Merging lane. The number that over take, still over the double lines doing 120km +.
Now I'm not Slow going up Hills with a 200TTD with a few specials within.
100km in the merge lane is not slow IMO with van in tow. The number of times that I have seen the good guys flick the blues and too's on, puts a smile on my dial.
They do NOT have ANY Excuse.
Slow down and learn the hard way Dic..... Heads.
I think that I recently read that right of way depends on the dividing line.
I look out for approaching overtakers as I reach the sign warning that the overtaking lane is about to end. If I don't think that they can safely overtake then I merge into the centre lane as soon as I can safely do so, often well before the outside lane ends.
Worse are those who have not been taught how to merge onto a motorway. Instead of accelerating to match the speed of those already on the motorway, they toddle down to the end of the merge lane, and then stop to wait for a gap in the traffic. I've nearly plowed into the back of one who began to accelerate and then, just as I was glancing over my shoulder to check for traffic this galah hits the brakes... It's not just embarrassing, it's bloody dangerous!!
Then there's the ones who want to pass because they can't see past you . Your doing the speed limit . Then take 100's of meters to pass !! Yea ok I let off . But REALLY ! I take the safety side as I'm aware of what could happen ! I often wander is some motorists have any idea ?? Another thing is rounds bouts . Most think right hand rule applies . Your supposed to slow down approaching r about to stop or merge into vehicles on r about . Not vehicles leaving the next intersection !!
Let them read the road rules. The overtaking lane gives way to the merging lane.
I always indicate right In The dotted last section of the Merging lane. The number that over take, still over the double lines doing 120km +.
Now I'm not Slow going up Hills with a 200TTD with a few specials within.
100km in the merge lane is not slow IMO with van in tow. The number of times that I have seen the good guys flick the blues and too's on, puts a smile on my dial.
They do NOT have ANY Excuse.
Slow down and learn the hard way Dic..... Heads.
There are two merging rules in NSW and more then likely other states as well, the stupid thing is if you haven't travelled the road several times you have no idea whether or not you will have to give way until you reach the end of the merging lane!
Tmk the rule is to merge without colliding ., much the same as roundabout . But there's narks out there who just seem to make things difficult. Often pass and don't go any faster ! Just lead dog syndrome. Fujir attitude !!
I used to be gentlemanly and tried to let as many pass me as possible, even after I had my blinker going for some time, however, after being run off the road once and then nearly forced into a culvert when the Lane ended, because people still wanted to pass as the lanes merged, I now put my blinker on as soon as the 500 metres to go sign appears and if no vehicle is immenently close, I slowly merge right and move across...why be dangerously un-selfish amongst the selfish majority of cars.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 07:57:43 AM
I used to be gentlemanly and tried to let as many pass me as possible, even after I had my blinker going for some time, however, after being run off the road once and then nearly forced into a culvert when the Lane ended, because people still wanted to pass as the lanes merged, I now put my blinker on as soon as the 500 metres to go sign appears and if no vehicle is immenently close, I slowly merge right and move across...why be dangerously un-selfish amongst the selfish majority of cars.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 07:57:43 AM
Yep... That's exactly what I do.
BTW did you people look at the link that I provided in my earlier post.
It gives a clear explanation of the two scenarios (at least in Qld.)
What cheeses me off brings to mind two things that I see too often......
1. People towing caravans and refusing to fit and use towing mirrors (as required by law). Result........unnecessary long lines of traffic which cause impatience and tempt other road users to take unnecessary risks). N.B. Rear cameras do not remove the requirement for towing mirrors. When you see one of these yobbos, you can predict that they will be the ones who never let the traffic behind them clear simply because they can't see what is there!!!!
2. People who tow caravans in convoy (Clubs and certain television shows come to mind), where the drivers are in charge of long vehicle combinations i.e. 7.5 m or longer, and refuse to obey the statutory following distance of min. 60 m.........Result, blockage of traffic progress and unnecessary hinderance of other road users by preventing safe overtaking by closure of traffic gaps.
Every time you hear or read statements by people who say that people who tow caravans should be subject to a dedicated class of drivers licence before being able to hook up, just remember that issues such as the two (above) are the very issues that cause such demands to be made.
I used to be gentlemanly and tried to let as many pass me as possible, even after I had my blinker going for some time, however, after being run off the road once and then nearly forced into a culvert when the Lane ended, because people still wanted to pass as the lanes merged, I now put my blinker on as soon as the 500 metres to go sign appears and if no vehicle is immenently close, I slowly merge right and move across...why be dangerously un-selfish amongst the selfish majority of cars.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 07:57:43 AM
That's exactly what I do. Mr nice guy only ends up being the victim otherwise. The road guarantees to bring out the worst in people, it's a sad indictment on our culture.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 08:52:09 AM
__________________
Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Stay calm for everyone's sake. The road is there to SHARE.
Yes people still don't get it. Everyone has the same right to be on the road, we all pay our Rego's ( well in most cases.)
I do the right thing,That been Road Manners. We lot are mostly retired. With time on our hands we can afford to pull over and have a cupper and a biscuit.
I do like to travel at the speed limit when safe to do so. However at the same time We like to see the view ahead. On long trips if we have a vehicle ahead traveling at the same speed,
I will quite often pull over, take a break and rejoin an open road ahead.
I love nothing more then to be able to cruise on my 100km seeing for miles ahead.
Just remember to keep a level head. If you yourself can't. pull up and let the dickheads go. IMO
I have a rant after yesterday. I'm travelling on a single lane road out in the back blocks. Signs everywhere saying smaller vehicles should pull over to let road trains have the road. Makes sense if you want to keep your windscreen. Came across several vans coming in opposite direction. I would pull over and let them have the whole road.
One though, in spite of asking them to stay on the road insisted on the one wheel off and one wheel on. Into the bargain, they were both waving madly as if they hadn't seen another car for months. They didn't slow down either.
Passed me leaving a shower of rocks. I was lucky only the body of the MH was hit (NOT). They wonder why they have rollovers. The van must have been unstable with one side in the ditch and the driver with only one hand on the wheel.
I also wonder about their eyesight. These must be the ones who are unlucky and hit roos, emus etc. if they couldn't see me off the road, just what can they see? If anyone heard the bad words I never say over the UHF I apologise. I yelled so loud everyone within 100k's must have heard. Certainly, the caravan about 5ks on must have heard he pulled off as soon as he saw me. I had also pulled off. So it became a waiting game to see who would pass who. LOL
The problem of not obeying road rules puts everyone at risk and by reading the posts here I can see one that clearly doesn't understand the rules of merging and another that has no idea of merging or roundabouts. Ignorance is not an excuse for driver bad behavior.
To continue with this, and it could go on forever.
Why do some vanners drive with their drivers side wheels either on or over the centre line? (Beats me!)
Why does the slow vehicle always speed up when there is a passing lane. It happened to us, we stuck behind this van sitting on 80k,
the sign said overtaking lane in 500 meters, so I started to increase speed so I could pass easily when the opportunity arose.
I'm now doing 90k and not getting any where like passing, 100k he's now pulling away from me. I could be wrong,but I had a feeling that my legal speed limit
towing a van in most Aussie states was 100k so I eased off and let them go.
Just to stir the pot a little, (having driven trucks for most of my life) If I was to drive a rigid vehicle of 3.5 plus ton or more I would have to do a course to obtain the proper credentials.
I would also learn how to load properly, Tarp properly, (gosh I'm old.) rope down the load,(told you I was old) and learn correct braking distances. The same basic principles
plus a few others were taught when going for bigger rigs.
We caravanners have learned the braking systems pretty well, but like the truckie curse luridly when some nob head fills the space you left to stop in, making you hit the
emergency brakes. We are learning the loading of our vans somewhat slowly, and consider a little over won't hurt. Turning left into narrow streets is another of those nasty occurrences
Those of us who have been vanning for some considerable time have adjusted, learnt and beome more proficient at what we do.
Those that by a new van for the first time never towed anything bigger than a 6X4 trailer, have a steep learning curve in front of them. Breaking distances, the weight pushing them
along, what to do when a semi comes up behind them, let alone concentrate when the kids are carrying on.
Dammit this was going to be short.
Got carried away again, sorry folks.
Stay safe on the roads.
-- Edited by Peterpan on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 07:59:04 PM
To continue with this, and it could go on forever.
Why do some vanners drive with their drivers side wheels either on or over the centre line? (Beats me!)
Why does the slow vehicle always speed up when there is a passing lane. It happened to us, we stuck behind this van sitting on 80k,
the sign said overtaking lane in 500 meters, so I started to increase speed so I could pass easily when the opportunity arose.
I'm now doing 90k and not getting any where like passing, 100k he's now pulling away from me. I could be wrong,but I had a feeling that my legal speed limit
towing a van in most Aussie states was 100k so I eased off and let them go.
Just to stir the pot a little, (having driven trucks for most of my life) If I was to drive a rigid vehicle of 3.5 plus ton or more I would have to do a course to obtain the proper credentials.
I would also learn how to load properly, Tarp properly, (gosh I'm old.) rope down the load,(told you I was old) and learn correct braking distances. The same basic principles
plus a few others were taught when going for bigger rigs.
We caravanners have learned the braking systems pretty well, but like the truckie curse luridly when some nob head fills the space you left to stop in, making you hit the
emergency brakes. We are learning the loading of our vans somewhat slowly, and consider a little over won't hurt. Turning left into narrow streets is another of those nasty occurrences
Those of us who have been vanning for some considerable time have adjusted, learnt and beome more proficient at what we do.
Those that by a new van for the first time never towed anything bigger than a 6X4 trailer, have a steep learning curve in front of them. Breaking distances, the weight pushing them
along, what to do when a semi comes up behind them, let alone concentrate when the kids are carrying on.
Dammit this was going to be short.
Got carried away again, sorry folks.
Stay safe on the roads.
-- Edited by Peterpan on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 07:59:04 PM
I have a theory, so I could be wrong
I believe that some people are scared of driving
On the narrow roads they go slower as they do not want to fall in a ditch, or hit oncoming traffic
When they are in the wider overtaking lane area, they must feel safer, and go faster
The most sensible way to merge would be that, the vehicle that is ahead has right of way, but until the laws are changed we must obey them or cause mayhem.
There seems to a rule that if a caravan is in front of a car/ute/what-ever, it MUST be overtaken asap regardless as to what is coming! I was forced to slow down on Friday because a driver refused to give way & let me into the correct single lane heading south of Tnsv. The speed limit was 80Kph, I was doing 80, he was doing over 100!
From past experience & I wish no malice to other members who may drive Toyota Landcruisers, but the majority of trouble I've had in most states have been from drivers of Toyotas. They pass in stupid locations & then cut in or they'll speed up just to pass me & then sit on or slightly less than the speed I'm doing!
I think it's better to stay home!
Warren
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!