I was northbound on the M5 the other afternoon when I spotted a Nissan Xtrail 4x4 towing a caravan coming up the middle lane to overtake me. I've no idea if this chap wasn't concentrating at the time or if he drives like it all the time because he came back into lane one literally right in front of my lorry causing me to brake. Considering there was close on 70 odd miles of M5 in front of us at that point I couldn't see why he'd want to cut in so close. One day it'll backfire on him & could cause a serious accident.
I've come to expect this activity from some lorry drivers who seem to revel in proving they can judge the exact length of their lorries when they overtake but I wasn't expecting it from a caravanner.
Quote: Originally posted by Basilbrush on 19/11/2012
..I've no idea if this chap wasn't concentrating at the time.....
Could possibly be just that; it has been said that motorway driving (no sharp turns, gradients, etc) can have a mildly hypnotic effect and might have forgotten he's got a caravan on the back end...
Once or twice, when I've looked in my mirror for the first time (literally a few yards after starting) I've blinked in shock at the large vehicle inches away from my rear bumper.... then I remember, and I'm OK for the rest of the trip!!
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
Quote: Originally posted by Basilbrush on 19/11/2012
..I've no idea if this chap wasn't concentrating at the time.....
Could possibly be just that; it has been said that motorway driving (no sharp turns, gradients, etc) can have a mildly hypnotic effect and might have forgotten he's got a caravan on the back end... Once or twice, when I've looked in my mirror for the first time (literally a few yards after starting) I've blinked in shock at the large vehicle inches away from my rear bumper.... then I remember, and I'm OK for the rest of the trip!!
Gram
You could be right Gram but it came as a surprise when he did it I can tell you. I realise none of us are perfect but I hope he'll read this thread, take heed & keep his nice Swift Caravan in one piece
I sympathise as I had near enough the exact same thing occur to me recently, however in my case the driver cut me up to exit onto the M6; I was towing at near enough 60 incidentally (on cruise) and he pulled in with just yards to spare despite the huge space behind me.
Suffice to say the air in my car went slightly blue as I found it hard to comprehend the guys actions, since we were both towing.
I've found the reverse to be generally the norm. Most caravanners travelling miles past me before pulling back to lane one. So much so, in fact, that I wonder if some of them really understand the length of their vehicle, or maybe can't see properly out of the nearside mirror. Still, I guess it's better to err on the side of caution.
Mick.
i was told when learning to drive many years ago,to expect all the other drivers around you are insane and will do the most insane things,the best advice i was ever given.
Quote: Originally posted by mickeyb on 19/11/2012
I've found the reverse to be generally the norm. Most caravanners travelling miles past me before pulling back to lane one. So much so, in fact, that I wonder if some of them really understand the length of their vehicle, or maybe can't see properly out of the nearside mirror. Still, I guess it's better to err on the side of caution.
Mick.
I tend to go way past trucks, usually get flashed in, its not because I don't know the length of my outfit, its because I don't want to pull in, and cause the truck to have to drop back to maintain a safe space between me and it.
It doesn't just have to be a caravan in tow either. There was an incident about 5 years ago that hit the UK headline news whereby a mini bus loaded with school kids over turned on the M6 on the way back from Birmingham International airport from an overseas school trip. It wasn't till about 2 days after the investigation that it was reported that the mini bus was towing a short twin axle box type trailer with the kids luggage on board. From witness statements the mini bus driver had apparently just over taken a lorry, pulled in too soon and the rear end of the trailer just clipped the front offside of the lorry. The mini bus driver was of course exceeding the 60 mph. speed limit along with careless driving but he couldn't be prosecuted as he was killed along with many of the other kids that deadful day. I think only about 2 kids survived the ordeal but it's frightening to say the least and and nothing more than irresponsible driving.
this surely re-iterates the FACT that two towing mirrors should be fitted by law now and used .i'll guarantee this twerp didn't have a nearside towing mirror fitted .
And of course, they obviously dont know our code properly, or they wouldmt pull in untill they are flashed in by the overtaken vehicle, he is the ONLY one who can see you are clear to pull in.
So stable when towing you could forget it was there, and I did and nearly hit the car I passed with the back of the van as I returned far too quickly to lane 1. Not proud of it and glad no one was hurt or damage done but now take a lot more care to stay alert.
Quote: Originally posted by clever on 20/11/2012If only the overtaken vehicle would flash it lights to say you were clear to pull back in, but in my (short) experience many do not bother.
I always flash my lights when a lorry overtakes us, but I find it doesn't always happen the other way around.
I wonder if some lorry drivers just don't like caravans !
thats my experience too. i always flash hgv`s in and rarely get a thanks unless they are from poland or latvia , those guys always seem to thank you.plenty dont even give you the chance to flash them in safely, they are already on the way back in to your lane 3 foot in front of the car !!
same overtaking them , many uk reg`d hgv drivers dont seem to bother flashing vanners in.
Quote: Originally posted by mickeyb on 19/11/2012
I've found the reverse to be generally the norm. Most caravanners travelling miles past me before pulling back to lane one. So much so, in fact, that I wonder if some of them really understand the length of their vehicle, or maybe can't see properly out of the nearside mirror. Still, I guess it's better to err on the side of caution.
Mick.
I generally err on the side of caution! I don't travel miles past, but do count to ten AFTER I had judged it safe to move back in, just to be on the safe side. My little van is only 14ft with the towbar, and only as wide as my car. I don't really need extending side mirrors, but have them anyway.
Quote: Originally posted by the black fox on 20/11/2012
this surely re-iterates the FACT that two towing mirrors should be fitted by law now and used .i'll guarantee this twerp didn't have a nearside towing mirror fitted .
Why would you need one with a luggage trailer as the trailer is probably narrower than the vehicle?
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Topic: Be safe & don`t pull in too early
