Notices
Non Scooby Related Anything Non-Scooby related

Quick question about Lorry Drivers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 23 November 2004 | 04:49 PM
  #1  
Drunken Bungle Whore's Avatar
Drunken Bungle Whore
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,560
Likes: 0
From: The land of Daisies and Bubbles!
Default Quick question about Lorry Drivers

Without ranting - what bothers you most about the way truckers drive? Do you love/ hate them? Do you understand their signals? (Headlight flashes, thank you's etc)?

I'm running a big session with a bunch of transport managers tomorrow and a bit of quick and dirty info could be handy!

Thanks!

Old 23 November 2004 | 04:52 PM
  #2  
OllyK's Avatar
OllyK
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire
Default

Half the rants you will get about trucks is bourn out of ignorance by normal car drivers. They seem to forget 38 Tonnes of artic does not stop (or accelerate) as quickly as your typical family saloon.

If you want to know anything specific let me know, I used to be a Transport Manager and also have my C+E
Old 23 November 2004 | 04:55 PM
  #3  
stevem2k's Avatar
stevem2k
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 0
From: Kingston ( Surrey, not Jamaica )
Default

Only the dragging .. lane1 @ 65mph , lane2 and 65.0001mph irritates ( and that's only because lane 3 is chock full of bmw's )


Steve
Old 23 November 2004 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
Comper100's Avatar
Comper100
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in a Subaru Legacy Turbo
Default

I have lots of respect for them, lets face it the majority of us are on the road for a shart amount of time compaired to them and the bellends that swarm our roads at the moment they have to face everyday all day!

Oviously there will always be a few *** lorry drivers, but as long as you use your head like not going on the inside of them on a roundabout when there going right etc etc, i find them no probs at all.

Oh and the flashing in bit is quality, love it! Once i was driving a smart car on the motorway when i overtook a foriegn lorry, i moved back in and he bashed all 8 lights on to flash me in

Always like to give then the indicator flashes too!

Oh the only annoying thing is when they spend ages on the motorway overtaking each other, but thats not there fault. The transport peeps need to look into the speed restrictors that they fit i recon!



Yeah no probs at all really.

Comper100

Last edited by Comper100; 23 November 2004 at 04:59 PM.
Old 23 November 2004 | 04:56 PM
  #5  
gsm1's Avatar
gsm1
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: New Jack City
Default

If you've ever experienced lorry drivers on the continent you'll realise how good British ones are!
Old 23 November 2004 | 04:56 PM
  #6  
paulr's Avatar
paulr
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15,623
Likes: 0
From: Lincolnshire
Lightbulb

Muppet agency lorry drivers.
Dont know where to go,what to do,blo0dy useless.

Last edited by paulr; 23 November 2004 at 04:59 PM.
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:02 PM
  #7  
Buckrogers's Avatar
Buckrogers
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 0
Default

Some lorry driver are sh!te. When they are tailgating (sp?) another lorry and then they just pull out to over take because they are going 0.3mph faster than the guy in front.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as the lane they are pulling into is clear and safe to do so. Most of the time they just pull out without looking.

Still a lot of van drivers do this as well.
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:06 PM
  #8  
Brendan Hughes's Avatar
Brendan Hughes
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,313
Likes: 4
From: same time, different place
Default

I was one for 6 mths - a real eye-opener. I think they're a lot better than most drivers on the road TBH.
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:09 PM
  #9  
OllyK's Avatar
OllyK
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire
Default

Originally Posted by Buckrogers
Some lorry driver are sh!te. When they are tailgating (sp?) another lorry and then they just pull out to over take because they are going 0.3mph faster than the guy in front.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as the lane they are pulling into is clear and safe to do so. Most of the time they just pull out without looking.

Still a lot of van drivers do this as well.
..and car drivers. But not many bike riders!! Most bikers make use of the "lifesaver" (look over your shoulder before pulling out), you can (and should) do the same in a car. You can do it to an extent in a truck, but the blind spots on an artic are huge in comparison to a car and you can loose another car in a car's blind spot. A technique often used is to check off the passing cars as they apparoach, go in to the blind spot and then come out the otherside. The problem occurs when you miss one due to some idiot in a car deciding to leave the carriage way at the last moment and cutting in front of you from the 3rd lane
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:11 PM
  #10  
OllyK's Avatar
OllyK
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire
Default

Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
I was one for 6 mths - a real eye-opener. I think they're a lot better than most drivers on the road TBH.
If everybody spent a couple of weeks driving a truck and driving a motor cycle, the standard of driving in this country would be much improved, for those that survived anyway
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:14 PM
  #11  
Brendan Hughes's Avatar
Brendan Hughes
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,313
Likes: 4
From: same time, different place
Default

Olly - I also had a few weeks commuting 25 miles each way across Kent A-roads on a HONDA MELODY (30mph max speed). Your comment about survival is astonishingly accurate
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:21 PM
  #12  
OllyK's Avatar
OllyK
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire
Default

Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
Olly - I also had a few weeks commuting 25 miles each way across Kent A-roads on a HONDA MELODY (30mph max speed). Your comment about survival is astonishingly accurate
It's scary stuff really. In IMO the car driver is the least observant and laziest of the drivers out there. They are also in the greatest numbers.

Watching how close many pass mopeds and push bikes is terrifying, the way the cut in front of other vehicles, don't signal and are generally in their own little world, scare the cr@p out of me. It's no wonder that the Road Safety stats in this country are so poor. High standards of driving are no longer being promoted, driving skill is being dumbed down to a simple "don't speed and you'll be OK" message, and IMO it's wrong and it's killing people.

The IAM test should be madatory within 2 years of passing your basic test and there should be an additional test for motorways. Promoting driving skill is the way to improve road safety.
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:32 PM
  #13  
BOB.T's Avatar
BOB.T
Scooby Senior
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,810
Likes: 0
From: Radiator Springs
Default

Diesel spills
Old 23 November 2004 | 05:41 PM
  #14  
Drunken Bungle Whore's Avatar
Drunken Bungle Whore
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,560
Likes: 0
From: The land of Daisies and Bubbles!
Default

Thanks for this guys - appreciate it! Have TRL (Transport Research Labs) coming along tomorrow to do their 'Fear of God' presentation. Last time I saw it I drove everywhere at 30mph for about a week!


Not one to do just before lunch.......
Old 23 November 2004 | 06:28 PM
  #15  
farmer1's Avatar
farmer1
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Default

Was following a car today on mike bike which indicated properly for every turning roundabout, lane change etc with plenty of warning. Made me feel very comfortable and safe and it was nice not having to second guess what random moves a car was going to make.

Just a shame 99% of other car drivers aren't the same.

What always gets me is that if I look ahead and the traffic lights are red etc and slow down to let a car out of a junction the cars behind me drive right up my **** whilst getting annoyed. It would be so much nicer if drivers looked down the road rather then staring at my number plate.
Old 23 November 2004 | 06:34 PM
  #16  
Chip's Avatar
Chip
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 11,758
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff. Wales
Default

Originally Posted by stevem2k
Only the dragging .. lane1 @ 65mph , lane2 and 65.0001mph irritates ( and that's only because lane 3 is chock full of bmw's )


Steve
Excusing your sheer ignorance of the facts, trucks in the UK are limited to 56mph and are not allowed in the 3rd lane of any motorway in the UK.

Chip.
Old 23 November 2004 | 06:35 PM
  #17  
Chip's Avatar
Chip
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 11,758
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff. Wales
Default

Originally Posted by OllyK
If everybody spent a couple of weeks driving a truck and driving a motor cycle, the standard of driving in this country would be much improved, for those that survived anyway
Very true Olly, the standard of driving in the UK by car drivers especially is appalling.

Chip
Old 23 November 2004 | 06:38 PM
  #18  
Buckrogers's Avatar
Buckrogers
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by OllyK
..and car drivers.
I could not agree more!



Maybe, something to do with the fact the only time you are allowed on a Motorway is once you have passed your test?

Perhaps they should have a "part 2" driving test. Once you have passed the normal test, further instruction followed by another test on Motorway driving?
Old 23 November 2004 | 06:57 PM
  #19  
Chip's Avatar
Chip
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 11,758
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff. Wales
Default

I think the driving test should at least be to the standard of the IAM test or maybe the HGV test. That way you'll be taught to drive and not taught purely to pass a test.

Chip
Old 23 November 2004 | 07:05 PM
  #20  
Hoppy's Avatar
Hoppy
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,275
Likes: 0
From: Where age and treachery reins over youthful exuberance
Default

Why can't trucks be fitted with an over-ride for the 56mph speed limiter, which would allow them to do 60mph for maybe 20 minutes a day? It would save thousands of hours of time, and many lives.

But apart from that, truckers are cool I used to tow a trailer and racing kart behind a camper van which put me permanently in the 50-60mph bracket. It's a whole new way of driving and truckers always helpful and courteous.

It's the over-taking on dual carriageways, side-by-side for miles that does your head in, causes accidents, road rage, and general frustration for everyone (including the truckers).

Richard.
Old 23 November 2004 | 07:11 PM
  #21  
CC's Avatar
CC
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Default

aren't the uk's driving standards better than most in europe, i think that we have less crashes, fatalities etc than most other countries.

from my own experience we're better than the french and especially the turks...every other car i seen in istanbul had battle scars on it.
Old 23 November 2004 | 07:19 PM
  #22  
Carl2's Avatar
Carl2
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: North Yorks.
Default

Originally Posted by Hoppy
Why can't trucks be fitted with an over-ride for the 56mph speed limiter, which would allow them to do 60mph for maybe 20 minutes a day?
Richard.
They can be, they are called Irish (Southern) trucks although I don't think they have a limiter at all

Like someone said or hinted at above, the biggest problem with lorry drivers is......car drivers. Most of them have no appreciation of the manouvering capabilities of a lorry, speed limits or blind spots. This can lead to all sorts of problems that the car driver can cause, which the lorry driver has to deal with and everyone else blames the lorry driver. Like the little old lady that sits in front of the lorry at 35mph on an A road and everyone blames the lorry driver for going so slow when he can do nothing about it. Or the idiots that have to overtake and pull into the lorrys braking space, especially near junctions and wonder why they almost get rear ended, flashed, horned etc. I only drive a small lorry, it's left hand drive and I can lose a whole car sitting by my right hand side and I have 3 mirrors covering that area.
Old 23 November 2004 | 07:26 PM
  #23  
CTR's Avatar
CTR
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Default

I have a question about lorry drivers, how come Asda, Waitrose and Tesco trucks all drive down the A428(NSL road) at 35 mph, when all other trucks seem to be able to manage 50 mph(BTW I have no complaints about them driving at this speed). And no there is absolutely nothing in front of them. Do some drive slowly to be annoying t0ssers?
Old 23 November 2004 | 07:32 PM
  #24  
farmer1's Avatar
farmer1
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CTR
I have a question about lorry drivers, how come Asda, Waitrose and Tesco trucks all drive down the A428(NSL road) at 35 mph, when all other trucks seem to be able to manage 50 mph(BTW I have no complaints about them driving at this speed). And no there is absolutely nothing in front of them. Do some drive slowly to be annoying t0ssers?
Perhaps they do not have as tight schedules which allows them to drive at what they consider to be a safe speed for the conditions.
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:03 PM
  #25  
ukdave's Avatar
ukdave
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: Land of Reflection
Default

Originally Posted by CTR
I have a question about lorry drivers, how come Asda, Waitrose and Tesco trucks all drive down the A428(NSL road) at 35 mph, when all other trucks seem to be able to manage 50 mph(BTW I have no complaints about them driving at this speed). And no there is absolutely nothing in front of them. Do some drive slowly to be annoying t0ssers?
Theyre paid by the hour not the mile lol what would you do?
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:19 PM
  #26  
S.B.'s Avatar
S.B.
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,313
Likes: 0
From: At Tescos Filling Up With 99 Octane!!!
Talking

Originally Posted by CTR
I have a question about lorry drivers, how come Asda, Waitrose and Tesco trucks all drive down the A428(NSL road) at 35 mph, when all other trucks seem to be able to manage 50 mph(BTW I have no complaints about them driving at this speed). And no there is absolutely nothing in front of them. Do some drive slowly to be annoying t0ssers?
Is it a single or dual lane road?
A lot of these companies monitor the drivers fuel consumption thats also why most lorries on the motorway can overtake them as well
And also the quicker they get back to the depot the more work they will have to do
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:19 PM
  #27  
Vegescoob's Avatar
Vegescoob
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,249
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Chip
I think the driving test should at least be to the standard of the IAM test or maybe the HGV test. That way you'll be taught to drive and not taught purely to pass a test.

Chip
EXACTLY.
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:29 PM
  #28  
Vegas 531's Avatar
Vegas 531
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

I guess a pet hate of lorry's (and vehicles of the large variety) is the if the indicator is one its okay to pull out never mind what traffic is along side it at the time!
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:37 PM
  #29  
andypugh2000's Avatar
andypugh2000
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 0
From: Founder of surreyscoobies.co.uk
Default

Originally Posted by CTR
I have a question about lorry drivers, how come Asda, Waitrose and Tesco trucks all drive down the A428(NSL road) at 35 mph, when all other trucks seem to be able to manage 50 mph(BTW I have no complaints about them driving at this speed). And no there is absolutely nothing in front of them. Do some drive slowly to be annoying t0ssers?
These guys get to their destination and usually have a hell of a lot of hanging around to do waiting for their booking in slot so they are in no rush to get there if you know what I mean, I was a lorry driver for ten years and the community spirit at cafe's and truck stops is better than any scooby meet ive ever been to

andy
Old 23 November 2004 | 08:45 PM
  #30  
CTR's Avatar
CTR
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Default

Fair points Its a single carriageway road, and their depot is somewhere off the A428, not sure where exactly. Theres plenty of mobile food places they could stop(Wish they would)


Quick Reply: Quick question about Lorry Drivers



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:10 AM.