pap Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Oh Pap....! All rights to any acceptance of your reasoning disappeared with these 4 words highlighted. You have no opinion, you are the driving anti-Christ, you shall be forever daubed with the word that is an abbreviation for Richard and begins with 'D'....for you the very concept 0f 60mph vs 59mph manoeuvre was conceived and truckers have full right to exercise it in support of all drivers who have been victim to the appalling manners that seem to be instilled in to all BMW drivers on purchase...they're probably even in the handbook ffs! Buy something less wuckfit-associated and restore your standing as a correspondent Did you read the rest of my post? Anyway, driving a Beemer is great fun. Rear wheel drive cheap flash. What's not to like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Prats that dont have fog lights on when it is seriously ****ing foggy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Did you read the rest of my post? Anyway, driving a Beemer is great fun. Rear wheel drive cheap flash. What's not to like? Indeed I did but the opportunity to elaborate on the theme was too tempting to resist :-) For this reason I've ignored your last sentence...too much temptation in one day - I am sated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 (edited) Ive never understood the logic of everybody cramming into the inside lane and leaving the two outside lanes empty. Does anyone really think constantly swapping lanes as they overtake again from the overcrowded inside lane makes any sense? Happily instead most people recognise they should pick the lane according to what speed they want to travel - around 60mph for the inside, 70mph for middle and 80+ for the outside, giving way to anyone who wants to go faster. Hallelujah, brother. Totally agree. I tried to curb my middle lane driving when the new law came in, but I was forever indicating, going into middle lane, overtaking then indicating and going back to first lane - every 10 seconds! If the slow drivers want to take the 1st lane, let me take the middle and the fast lane can be left for the idiots who want to drive at 90mph and who flash their lights from 100 metres back if you go in their lane! Edited 3 February, 2015 by the saint in winchester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coxford_lou Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 When is someone going to invent then implement a futuristic transport system than doesn't need cars. Even talking about cars and roads depresses me. Dirty, miserable, dangerous things. Futuristic transport systems always look fun in films! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouch mask replica Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 F…… tourists who come down to the country in their Teutonic status symbols and then demonstrate their inability to drive unless surrounded by acres of tarmac. They should f… off back to the Autobahns and corporate carparks and learn how to judge the width of their vehicles and the use of reverse gear. Would make my life much easier. Apart from that small gripe, mustn’t grumble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 When is someone going to invent then implement a futuristic transport system than doesn't need cars. Even talking about cars and roads depresses me. Dirty, miserable, dangerous things. Futuristic transport systems always look fun in films! Lounge placement justified! Yeah, it's madness really, given the size of this country. With decent enough investment in the rail network, could get most of the freight off the motorways. The Solent is now crying out for decent mass transport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 When is someone going to invent then implement a futuristic transport system than doesn't need cars. You Mean Like Legs? Like my good friend Sarb, I have more angar with bros parking than driving. They take so long, and park so Dumb! Whereas I have mega parking skills like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Hallelujah, brother. Totally agree. I tried to curb my middle lane driving when the new law came in, but I was forever indicating, going into middle lane, overtaking then indicating and going back to first lane - every 10 seconds! If the slow drivers want to take the 1st lane, let me take the middle and the fast lane can be left for the idiots who want to drive at 90mph and who flash their lights from 100 metres back if you go in their lane! There is no such as a fast lane, just overtaking lanes. Once you've completed your overtake you should move into the left hand lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Cyclists that ignore red lights. Cyclists that ride two abreast and get funny if you beep them. My main gripe is the same as Pap though and the lorry drivers who spend half an hour overtaking. Just make all the b@stards drive in the inside lane and be done with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 (edited) There is no such as a fast lane, just overtaking lanes. Once you've completed your overtake you should move into the left hand lane. That may technically be the law - but doesnt reflect reality thankfully. If people did that in practice then the carrying capacity of the motorways would be dramatically reduced and gridlocked. If it were to happen (unless its 3am and the motorway is quiet) the number of accidents would shoot up because you'd have people changing lane far more often and cars travelling at different speeds in the same lane. Edited 3 February, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Cyclists that ignore red lights. Cyclists that ride two abreast and get funny if you beep them. My main gripe is the same as Pap though and the lorry drivers who spend half an hour overtaking. Just make all the b@stards drive in the inside lane and be done with it! They get Sunny SOG, because that is the safest and correct way to ride (see Highway Code). This is because when in single file, drivers think its fine to overtake whilst traffic is coming teh over way as if no bikes are there - leaving cyclists no room... I have been overtaken by such arseholes who overtake cars passing cyclists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Indeed I did but the opportunity to elaborate on the theme was too tempting to resist :-) For this reason I've ignored your last sentence...too much temptation in one day - I am sated BMWs are very popular in Northern Ireland. I got my first one there, and really, there aren't many opportunities to unleash the stereotypical traits associated with Beemer drivers. Almost all of the roads are single carriageway, many of them meander all over the place and opportunities to overtake are limited. You'll achieve nothing by full-beaming the driver in front. They've nowhere to go, except contraflow. It's barren ground for the wannabe Beemer bastard over there, skip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 That may technically be the law - but doesnt reflect reality thankfully. If people did that in practice then the carrying capacity of the motorways would be dramatically reduced and gridlocked. If it were to happen (unless its 3am and the motorway is quiet) the number of accidents would shoot up because you'd have people changing lane far more often and cars travelling at different speeds in the same lane. What, as opposed to the current utopian free flowing situation when the outside lane is rammed full (mostly with people cursing those in front for not moving over), the middle lane is half full and the inside lane is barely populated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 (edited) Cyclists that ignore red lights. Cyclists that ride two abreast and get funny if you beep them. My main gripe is the same as Pap though and the lorry drivers who spend half an hour overtaking. Just make all the b@stards drive in the inside lane and be done with it! The highway code allows for riding 2 abreast. Rule 66 never ride more than two abreast Edited 3 February, 2015 by View From The Top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 What, as opposed to the current utopian free flowing situation when the outside lane is rammed full (mostly with people cursing those in front for not moving over), the middle lane is half full and the inside lane is barely populated? Different motorways seem to have different lives of their own. The M27 and M25 is terrible for that but you hardly ever see it on the M23 or M2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 Is anyone else familiar with the M6 Toll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 (edited) They're c*nts M6 Toll, it goes right past My House and one time cos of Traffic I did one junction, like 5 minutes, and yeah it cost me £5.50 or something like that I also hate the Matrix signs on the M6 Normal saying "M6 TOLL IS CLEAR", like really rubbing it in Edited 3 February, 2015 by Bearsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 3 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 3 February, 2015 They're c*nts M6 Toll, it goes right past My House and one time cos of Traffic I did one junction, like 5 minutes, and yeah it cost me £5.50 or something like that I also hate the Matrix signs on the M6 Normal saying "M5 TOLL IS CLEAR", like really rubbing it in You know what a suspicious little bastard I can be, Bear. I find it highly suspicious that for the last year, there have been 50mph roadworks all around the M6 Toll, and specifically, the bit of the M6 you go on if you do not take the toll road. The lead up to the toll road is all 50mph, and by time you get there, the enticement is all too great. Do you carry on crawling along in cramped conditions on the 6, or do you take the Toll, let it rip, and have some reasonable expectation of making it to the South Coast in the next century? I choose the latter. Always. Bastards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 I only use the toll if I'm running late, for example Stoke away in the cup this year. Otherwise I'll happily sit in traffic for an extra 30 minutes convincing myself I've somehow won by avoiding having to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dellboypete Posted 3 February, 2015 Share Posted 3 February, 2015 When is someone going to invent then implement a futuristic transport system than doesn't need cars. Even talking about cars and roads depresses me. Dirty, miserable, dangerous things. Futuristic transport systems always look fun in films! You've clearly not been following the S W Trains thread http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?52605-South-West-Trains :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 (edited) The highway to hell is the M271 at the moment. Edited 4 February, 2015 by SO16_Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 4 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 4 February, 2015 #4 Traffic information signs. Queue ahead, long delays between Junctions 1 and 99, obstacle in road. None of it really tells you how late you're going to be. I think a bit of honesty is in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Going up an icy, winding mountain road in bad weather, only to find it blocked by another foreign lorry driver trying to cross the mountains with summer tyres and no chains.* *This may not really apply to the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Going back to the police cars on the motorway. Always makes me laugh when the OB are doing 65-70 on the motorway and there is a long tail back of cars behind them with the middle lane and outside lane free, chickens scared to overtake. I just fly by doing about 74mph, the OB sit there with a smug grin at all the power they are wielding on the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussexsaint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 For many many years in Britain we have driven on the left of the road - now we have to drive on whats left of the road. The state of the roads themselves has deteriorated rapidly over the last 5 years. Potholes are more like craters. When they 'fix' the roads they put a thin veneer of tarmac down that washes away with the next light misting of rain. I'm not a biker but I should imagine each journey is now like a game of Russian roulette - get a wheel in one of those holes and its goodnight vienna. The other thing that bugs me is the road tax and its link to engine size. There was already a perfectly senisble 'green' tax on people with big engines or those that drove thousands of miles - it was the tax on fuel. If you used more you paid more tax by having to buy more fuel. If you had a tiny engined car that you drove to the shops once a year you paid very little - the perfect solution. yes I have a stupid middle aged crisis car, but I don't do many miles a year - it has had 4 previous owners and ecologically I'm sure it would make more sense to keep it than to scrap it and buy a hybrid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Hallelujah, brother. Totally agree. I tried to curb my middle lane driving when the new law came in, but I was forever indicating, going into middle lane, overtaking then indicating and going back to first lane - every 10 seconds! If the slow drivers want to take the 1st lane, let me take the middle and the fast lane can be left for the idiots who want to drive at 90mph and who flash their lights from 100 metres back if you go in their lane! There is no such as a fast lane, just overtaking lanes. Once you've completed your overtake you should move into the left hand lane. That may technically be the law - but doesnt reflect reality thankfully. If people did that in practice then the carrying capacity of the motorways would be dramatically reduced and gridlocked. If it were to happen (unless its 3am and the motorway is quiet) the number of accidents would shoot up because you'd have people changing lane far more often and cars travelling at different speeds in the same lane. Steady speed in a straight line has to be safer than constantly changing lanes. If I overtake car A on an empty motorway (yeah those were the days) I'll pull back into the left hand lane. But if I can see that within 30 seconds I'll be overtaking another car B AND my speed isn't holding up anyone else I'll stay in the middle lane until I've passed B, if yet another car C is less than 30 seconds ahead I'll stay there and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 (edited) The other thing that bugs me is the road tax and its link to engine size. There was already a perfectly senisble 'green' tax on people with big engines or those that drove thousands of miles - it was the tax on fuel. If you used more you paid more tax by having to buy more fuel. If you had a tiny engined car that you drove to the shops once a year you paid very little - the perfect solution. yes I have a stupid middle aged crisis car, but I don't do many miles a year - it has had 4 previous owners and ecologically I'm sure it would make more sense to keep it than to scrap it and buy a hybrid Agree with that. Ive just sold a 2 litre 1978 Alfa Romeo which cost £230 pa in road tax, despite it only doing about 1,000 miles a year and burning about 150 litres of fuel in that time. My main car is £110 tax and burns about 1,350, almost 10 times the amount. Its about time they brought in road use pricing so you get charged for the amount you use the roads instead of a flat amount. The same with insurance - I had to pay for two policies despite the fact I was the only driver and did less miles in total in the two cars than many drivers do in one. Paying for usage instead of ownership makes much more sense. Edited 4 February, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Steady speed in a straight line has to be safer than constantly changing lanes. If I overtake car A on an empty motorway (yeah those were the days) I'll pull back into the left hand lane. But if I can see that within 30 seconds I'll be overtaking another car B AND my speed isn't holding up anyone else I'll stay in the middle lane until I've passed B, if yet another car C is less than 30 seconds ahead I'll stay there and so on. I don't disagree and drive just like that but there is no such thing a as a fast lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Probably been said before, but I'm too lazy to scroll through. People that get irrationally angry whilst driving. It's utterly bizarre just how worked up people get whilst on the road, people don't act like that walking down the street, why do it in a car? For example, had a man in a Range Rover right up my rear end honking his horn and flashing his lights accompanied with shouting and gesticulating at me on the M1 last summer - whilst stuck in bumper to bumper standstill traffic. He was signalling me to move out of his way, which was both impossible and pointless as the traffic was solid. Utter idiot. Also, people who get out of their cars and start screaming in the street at each other over basically nothing. Awful people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 The highway code allows for riding 2 abreast. Rule 66 never ride more than two abreast Thanks for that. When I was a kid I was taught not to ride two abreast but appreciate that times change. As you know cyclists (and I do cycle) often wobble and when you get the second one wobbling as you overtake it can be very dangerous. I live in the country and the lanes are full of two abreast cyclists on the weekends. Getting past safely is a nightmare. I am not a boy racer and always look out for cyclists and bikers but some of them do stupid things and if you beep them you get all kinds of cr@p thrown back at you because you happen to be in a car. I don't want to be responsible for knocking anyone off their bikes but cyclists (and bikers) need to be more careful when on the roads. My brother was involved in a fatality with a biker driving into the back of him. It wasn't his fault and he was cleared of any blame but it will haunt him for the rest of his days. No one "owns" the roads but it makes sense if those more vulnerable to more care in what they do. I can tell you I have lost count of the number of cyclists who ignore road signs, especially red lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I don't disagree and drive just like that but there is no such thing a as a fast lane. This is true. The middle and outside lanes are for overtaking. The speed limit for each lane is the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 #4 Traffic information signs. Queue ahead, long delays between Junctions 1 and 99, obstacle in road. None of it really tells you how late you're going to be. I think a bit of honesty is in order. What a complete waste of money these signs are!!! In all the many years they have been installed, I can honestly say they have been of use just ONCE (advised of the A338 into Bournmeouth being closed) They are quick to tell us that there is queue on the M25 etc yet fail to tell us of the impending traffic 2 miles up the road !! Save millions & stick a sign up next to the road saying 'tune in to Radio Solent for the latest traffic reports' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Thanks for that. When I was a kid I was taught not to ride two abreast but appreciate that times change. As you know cyclists (and I do cycle) often wobble and when you get the second one wobbling as you overtake it can be very dangerous. I live in the country and the lanes are full of two abreast cyclists on the weekends. Getting past safely is a nightmare. I am not a boy racer and always look out for cyclists and bikers but some of them do stupid things and if you beep them you get all kinds of cr@p thrown back at you because you happen to be in a car. I don't want to be responsible for knocking anyone off their bikes but cyclists (and bikers) need to be more careful when on the roads. My brother was involved in a fatality with a biker driving into the back of him. It wasn't his fault and he was cleared of any blame but it will haunt him for the rest of his days. No one "owns" the roads but it makes sense if those more vulnerable to more care in what they do. I can tell you I have lost count of the number of cyclists who ignore road signs, especially red lights. I ride more miles a year than I drive and when I ride in a group we ride in pairs but when we know a car is waiting and it's safe to do so, we will go single file. Beep at us and there is no chance of us doing so. Riding in pairs stops drivers making f**king insane overtaking decisions. Keeps the driver and the cyclist safe. I can't comment of jumping red lights as I never do it (bar a bridge in Penkridge whose sensor doesn't pick up bikes so we jump it on the pavement) and I've only seen it done once and he got pelters from the rest of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 What a complete waste of money these signs are!!! In all the many years they have been installed, I can honestly say they have been of use just ONCE (advised of the A338 into Bournmeouth being closed) They are quick to tell us that there is queue on the M25 etc yet fail to tell us of the impending traffic 2 miles up the road !! Save millions & stick a sign up next to the road saying 'tune in to Radio Solent for the latest traffic reports' Makes me smile when they are illuminated saying "Sign Not In Use". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bad Bob Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 (edited) When turning right on a Box junction, i.e. M3 J12 from Leigh Road, people just sit behind the traffic light without entering the box junction because they don't think you can stop in a box junction. I know a few of you are thinking 'well you can't stop in a ****ing box junction', we'll that's just plain wrong if you're turning right. I sit there for ages watching the lights go from green to red and back again waiting for the car in front to finally realise we'll be there all day if he doesn't get in the box. Winds me up a treat! Do not enter a box junction unless your exit is clear. Source: the ol' package from the Transvaal. 174 Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping. Law TSRGD regs 10(1) & 29(2) So what happens if you want to turn right but can't because the road you're turning into is blocked up, is it OK to sit in the box junction and block off other traffic that may have been let go?? Edited 4 February, 2015 by Big Bad Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I ride more miles a year than I drive and when I ride in a group we ride in pairs but when we know a car is waiting and it's safe to do so, we will go single file. Beep at us and there is no chance of us doing so. Riding in pairs stops drivers making f**king insane overtaking decisions. Keeps the driver and the cyclist safe. I can't comment of jumping red lights as I never do it (bar a bridge in Penkridge whose sensor doesn't pick up bikes so we jump it on the pavement) and I've only seen it done once and he got pelters from the rest of us. I rarely beep a cyclist but some of them are all over the road and I will do so as a sign that are cycling dangerously. I appreciate that there are many cyclists who are responsible but there are also those who are a danger to themselves and to other road users. I have been verbally abused by cyclists when I have gone out of my way to make sure I give them plenty of room. Perhaps we should add "lycra rage" to road rage? I used to be a rep in London so spent most of my day on the roads. It scared me the number of cyclists who used to jump red lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 174 Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping. Law TSRGD regs 10(1) & 29(2) Has that rule changed? I thought you could never enter a box junction as well ... guess I don't know my highway code after all. I'm quite surprised by that. Although if you think about it, it does make sense to prevent the exact scenario that TwoPints said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 (edited) ... Edited 4 February, 2015 by sadoldgit duplicate post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I ride more miles a year than I drive and when I ride in a group we ride in pairs but when we know a car is waiting and it's safe to do so, we will go single file. Beep at us and there is no chance of us doing so. Riding in pairs stops drivers making f**king insane overtaking decisions. Keeps the driver and the cyclist safe. I can't comment of jumping red lights as I never do it (bar a bridge in Penkridge whose sensor doesn't pick up bikes so we jump it on the pavement) and I've only seen it done once and he got pelters from the rest of us. It's frustrating for impatient drivers, but as well as rising two abreast, cyclists can also ride anywhere in the lane if the inside is uneven - and which road is smooth these days? Cars have to use the other side of the road to overtake. I do have issues with poor visibility at the moment, so many cyclists with dull clothes and/or dull lights. When I leave the station on my commute home, there are a load of people who cycle, most of them are very good and do all the right things, apart from the odd one who doesn't seem to care he's invisible. Mind you, same with pedestrians. I'm trying to leave the station onto a busy road, cyclists coming from behind on both sides, cars queuing, cars entering from the left and right to get out, then pedestrians with black coats/clothing suddenly emerge once you've worked out what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 174 Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping. Law TSRGD regs 10(1) & 29(2) So what happens if you want to turn right but can't because the road you're turning into is blocked up, is it OK to sit in the box junction and block off other traffic that may have been let go?? Every day's a school day as thought you couldn't stop in a box junction at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 It's frustrating for impatient drivers, but as well as rising two abreast, cyclists can also ride anywhere in the lane if the inside is uneven - and which road is smooth these days? Cars have to use the other side of the road to overtake. I do have issues with poor visibility at the moment, so many cyclists with dull clothes and/or dull lights. When I leave the station on my commute home, there are a load of people who cycle, most of them are very good and do all the right things, apart from the odd one who doesn't seem to care he's invisible. Mind you, same with pedestrians. I'm trying to leave the station onto a busy road, cyclists coming from behind on both sides, cars queuing, cars entering from the left and right to get out, then pedestrians with black coats/clothing suddenly emerge once you've worked out what's going on. DoT guidelines tell cyclist to ride well away from the kerb, certainly out of the iron works. The light issue is one that rankles with me as it sees like an obvious thing to do. My winter commuter bike has a very bight flashing rear light & my front light is brighter than the sun and I wear a bright jacket. My winter road bike has two rear lights plus one on my lid & another searchlight on the front plus reflective strips on jacket, tights and overshoes . I do an awful lot of night riding in the winter and I want to ensure that all drivers can see me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoPints Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 Every day's a school day as thought you couldn't stop in a box junction at all. There's a lot of it about... So it's you lot that **** me off in the mornings is it? We did have this conversation at work recently (as I often rant about it) and most people didn't know this either to be fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoPints Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 174 Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping. Law TSRGD regs 10(1) & 29(2) So what happens if you want to turn right but can't because the road you're turning into is blocked up, is it OK to sit in the box junction and block off other traffic that may have been let go?? No, the road you're turning into has to be clear so that when the lights change, you can exit the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bad Bob Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 When turning right on a Box junction, i.e. M3 J12 from Leigh Road, people just sit behind the traffic light without entering the box junction because they don't think you can stop in a box junction. I know a few of you are thinking 'well you can't stop in a ****ing box junction', we'll that's just plain wrong if you're turning right. I sit there for ages watching the lights go from green to red and back again waiting for the car in front to finally realise we'll be there all day if he doesn't get in the box. Winds me up a treat! No, the road you're turning into has to be clear so that when the lights change, you can exit the box. Yeah, I sort of understood that after I re-read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bad Bob Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 DoT guidelines tell cyclist to ride well away from the kerb, certainly out of the iron works. The light issue is one that rankles with me as it sees like an obvious thing to do. My winter commuter bike has a very bight flashing rear light & my front light is brighter than the sun and I wear a bright jacket. My winter road bike has two rear lights plus one on my lid & another searchlight on the front plus reflective strips on jacket, tights and overshoes . I do an awful lot of night riding in the winter and I want to ensure that all drivers can see me. I too cycle to and from work and the light thing really p's me off, I have lights all over and a bright reflective coat. Annoys me no end when you get the MAMILs in their dark gear with one light and really, really expensive bike that they can't/don't ride properly, if you're going to spend a lot of money looking like a cock at least make sure you can be seen. I always hope for a Darwin moment for the kids that cycle on the pavement and then drop on to the road without looking, bit mean I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 DoT guidelines tell cyclist to ride well away from the kerb, certainly out of the iron works. It's not just the iron work, the road surface itself tends to be more potted, and there's all the detritus in the gutter just waiting to ***** it's way through your inner tube. I ride at least a foot away from the edge of the road whenever possible The light issue is one that rankles with me as it sees like an obvious thing to do. My winter commuter bike has a very bight flashing rear light & my front light is brighter than the sun and I wear a bright jacket. My winter road bike has two rear lights plus one on my lid & another searchlight on the front plus reflective strips on jacket, tights and overshoes . I do an awful lot of night riding in the winter and I want to ensure that all drivers can see me. I have 3 rear lights 2 of which are set to flash, ( plus the obligatory reflector ), and the 'searchlight at the front, together with 2 small flashing LEDs. No chance of a 'SMIDSY'. As for other idiot bikers, last week, riding home in the dark, I passed a PCSO in uniform on a bike with no lights and no reflective of any sort - gave him a strong word or two as I went past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 This speed is actually done so ANPR scans the numberplates of passing cars. Good, nothing to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I too cycle to and from work and the light thing really p's me off, I have lights all over and a bright reflective coat. Annoys me no end when you get the MAMILs in their dark gear with one light and really, really expensive bike that they can't/don't ride properly, if you're going to spend a lot of money looking like a cock at least make sure you can be seen. I always hope for a Darwin moment for the kids that cycle on the pavement and then drop on to the road without looking, bit mean I guess. I did a solo 45km tempo ride (30km/ph+ average) last night between Stafford-Stoke-Stafford up the A34 with my full MAMIL gear on & on my full MAMIL winter bike but I was still lit up like a Xmas tree. The club & the lads I ride with have lights way brighter than the cars. I don't get why you wouldn't keep yourself safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Reigned Posted 4 February, 2015 Share Posted 4 February, 2015 I've been a car driver for nearly 25 years and cycle 7 miles each way to Whiteley every day, so feel I can give a reasonably balanced view on the whole 'cars-v-bikes' issue. One observation as a cyclist is that if I'm aware of a motorist driving aggresively/impatiently/too fast/too close, etc, about 7 times out of 10 they'll be driving either an Audi or a BMW. It also drives me mad to see certain cyclists go flying past me or squeezing infront of me when I'm sat on my bike at a red traffic light. There are also plenty of cyclists who not only fail to wear a helmet/suitable clothing or display any lights, but also probably go out of their way to make themselves as invisible as possible by wearing black from head to toe and not even having reflectors fitted to their bikes (which surely come as standard on all bikes?!). On the flip side is does irritate me how some cyclists feel the need to have a full-blown miner's light attached to either their helmet or the front of their bike, which only succeeds in blinding everyone (be they driver, cylist or pedestrian) who has the misfortune to be heading towards them. As you can imagine, I spend most of my cycle to and from work every day cursing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now