Motorway Observations

[Bluelagoona]

Totally agree duck... M42 worst motorway in the UK for confusing and everchanging speed limit signs. I'm sure they play with them just to f#ck about and catch people out.
Many drivers caught as the limit drops just as they approach the gantry. supposed to be a 2 minute grace period before the camera activates... bollox !

 

[andyBeaker]

there is nothing smart about smart motorways... we are the only country in the world who thought that getting rid of the hard shoulder is a good idea.
That is why car drivers hog lane 2 and 3 because they are afraid to get stuck behind a broken down vehicle.
I use the m1 , m25 , m6 a lot and I pass in lane 1 loads of cars sitting in lane 2 for mile after mile. they seem happy to tailgate the car in front at 50mph when lane 1 is clear and empty.

The variable speed limits seemed to work well in keeping the traffic moving and I was impressed that the car picked them up as well.

If drivers can’t see far enough down the road to see a broken down vehicle then they shouldn’t be on the road. One of the things (in addition to using shoulder checks) that made me a better car driver from riding a motorised bicycle is the benefit of looking as far ahead as you can. I think we all know that most drivers struggle to look beyond the vehicle in front of them.

 

[Pow-Lo]

I went up and down the M4, M40, A40 and A404 into London on Sunday. I wasn't paying particular attention to trucks but the one thing that sticks out and never ceases to amaze me is how empty Lane 1 is more often than not. A friend of ours retired from Kent dibble after her 30 years was up and she was on traffic. She pulled over some stupid tart on the world's biggest car park (M25) for driving in lane 2 when lane 1 was empty. Thick twat kept responding to our friend that she was fine as she was doing 70; she couldn't get it through her thick skull that lanes 2 and 3 are for overtaking and lane 4 is for BMWs.

 

[derek kelly]

some companies will allow direct billing for drivers others not Derek tell your mate to change agencies, most are desperate for experienced drivers and will pay a premium for english speakers.

I believe he has tried several agencies.

 

[Lee337]

I thought about driving HGV, especially as I'm now unemployed. There's a few local companies that will take on & train new drivers in return for staying with them for 2+ years.

There's a few things against me, my age, I'm 58 so they'weren't keen and secondly, both companies (according to their websites) are not taking on trainee drivers at the moment as they can't book driving tests.

This despite them being desperate for HGV drivers, both 1 & 2.

It seems all the EU drivers have gone home.

 

[Nige F]

What I've noticed is that the lorries seem to be travelling early mornings. The days I do get out on the road are usually early ones and there seems to be a lot on the road around 5am.

I regularly see wagons pulling away from me, I usually tow, a loaded car trailer and a lot seem to be running at nearer 60 at times, more noticeably up on the M74.

I've also noticed how arrogant drivers seem to be, indicating and pulling out when your alongside the trailer, doubtless having not noticed the trailer I'm towing..... Also seen several in Lane 3 of late too..... Standards do seem to have slipped

 

[andyBeaker]

If I was a lorry driver I would be tempted to drive at silly o’clock to avoid traffic but no doubt city restrictions make that difficult at times.

 

[jerryt]

Observation on road surface.

I noticed that in many places the surface in Lane one was brilliant and very quiet.

Why should only HGV drivers get the benefit

Lane one is for every vehicle! All other lanes are for overtaking only! The surface is good because it gets re-surfaced on a regular basis as the heavy trucks wear it out and ruts develop.

 

[jerryt]

If I was a lorry driver I would be tempted to drive at silly o’clock to avoid traffic but no doubt city restrictions make that difficult at times.

I start work at 3am every morning for that very reason, My early starts also help's my company as I can make early bookings! I normally get home at about 1pm so I have the afternoon to relax !

 

[Me!]

a motorised bicycle

No such thing.

 

[Pow-Lo]

Lane one is for every vehicle! All other lanes are for overtaking only! The surface is good because it gets re-surfaced on a regular basis as the heavy trucks wear it out and ruts develop.

No, lane 4 is for BMWs only.

 

[Duck n Dive]

I was going to post an observation about the outer lane apparently being a V. I. P. for certain peeps.
You lot were waaaay ahead of me

 

[andyBeaker]

No, lane 4 is for BMWs only.

And the hard shoulder is for Dacias…….

 

[Bluelagoona]

I thought about driving HGV, especially as I'm now unemployed. There's a few local companies that will take on & train new drivers in return for staying with them for 2+ years.

There's a few things against me, my age, I'm 58 so they'weren't keen and secondly, both companies (according to their websites) are not taking on trainee drivers at the moment as they can't book driving tests.

This despite them being desperate for HGV drivers, both 1 & 2.

It seems all the EU drivers have gone home.

Don't do it Lee.... you will only earn slightly more than a self stacker at Morrisons despite going through a tough medical/ eye test and then waiting months for a driving test and even longer for DVLA to issue your licence. once you have passed be expected to work up to 15 hrs a day twice a week and 11 hrs a day the rest of the week.

 

[derek kelly]

And the hard shoulder is for Dacias…….

Coming to the aid of broken down BMW’s

 

[derek kelly]

Don’t know how gifted you are at diy but a guy I know bought a VW T5 or T4, not sure which for £7000, he spent £3000 kitting it out as a camper, he did a tour of Scotland, when he returned he sold it for £16000

 

[jerryt]

Don’t know how gifted you are at diy but a guy I know bought a VW T5 or T4, not sure which for £7000, he spent £3000 kitting it out as a camper, he did a tour of Scotland, when he returned he sold it for £16000

The wife and me have been looking to buy a camper van! But we cant understand why a £2000 caravan bolted to a £500 20 year old van chassis can be worth £20,000!

 

[derek kelly]

The wife and me have been looking to buy a camper van! But we cant understand why a £2000 caravan bolted to a £500 20 year old van chassis can be worth £20,000!

Because that’s what people are paying, a £65,000 motorhome is now over £80,000

 

[andyBeaker]

Because that’s what people are paying, a £65,000 motorhome is now over £80,000

No, it’s an £80,000 motorhome.

it can’t be both.

 

[derek kelly]

No, it’s an £80,000 motorhome.

it can’t be both.

Pre covid £65,000
Post covid £65,000 probably