Motorway crashes

[ll_billym]

Hi, I hope I don't offend anyone with this question but it is a genuine one:

What are the circumstances of the most common types of accidents on motoways? i.e. 2 people both going for the middle lane, blowouts, etc.

I do a lot of driving and fortunately I have never seen an accident happen but I want to know what to look out for..

Thanks.

[sddsddean]

People not paying attention eg rubbernecking another accident on the other carriageway.

Driving too fast and too close for the conditions.

Inconsiderate lane discipline

I once saw a TV documentary about the cops on the M1 (you know the sort of thing). There was a nose to tail shunt in lane 3.

Cop :What happened

Driver: The other bloke in front of me stopped suddenly and I had no choice but to swerve into the middle lane

Cop: So you were driving too fast and too close

Driver: No! The other bloke just stopped suddenly.

Cop: So you were driving too fast and too close.

Driver : No!

He wouldn't admit he was in the wrong. This is also a major problem. It is always someone else's fault. I do 100,000 miles a year as an HGV driver. I will admit it now; I am human, I try to be a good driver, but I make mistakes. If only everyone else will admit it.

Most people admit to being bad at decorating, gardening, golf, whatever. See if you can find anyone who says they are not an excellant driver.

[furrycheeky]

I agree with sddsddean, speed combined with inconsiderate driving is the problem. People far too close is the worst, then the people who swap lanes undertake, swap lanes overtake, swap lanes.... etc.

[Gef]

Agree entirely with sddsddean. It's mainly down to drivers who don't concentrate enough (and I include myself in that at times). Unfortunately you just cannot be prepared for the idiot doing 100mph, changing lanes without indicating etc.

[Electrochem]

I wholeheartedly agree with the previous answers. I travel on the M6 Monday to Friday and I'm surprised there aren't more accidents. I try to keep to the inside lane, but you will always get some inconsiderate fool driving slowly in the middle lane who won't let you out to overtake. I recently drove on the M6 on a Sunday and travelled 20 junctions. There was a silver Astra doing just below 70 in the middle lane for about 15 of those junctions. When he got to where he was going to pull off he cut across the inside lane, causing someone to swerve.

Few people indicate properly. It is mirror, signal manoeuvre; not signal, pull out.

In general I find lorry drivers very considerate. I saw a trailer come away from a car in very bad weather last year It was due to the quick thinking of a lorry driver that a serious accident was averted.

I only wish they wouldn't sit in the middle lane trying to overtake each oher.

[sddsddean]

On your last point Electrochem, thats all due to the wonderful(!) EU!

As a speeding HGV is 'obviously' dangerous, they are limited to 90kph (56mph) by the EU. Personally I think this a stupid law as the UK limit for a HGV on the M'way is 60mph and it would be much better if you could limit all vehicles to 30 in a built up area, but there you go. Back to the limiter. As these bits of electronics are calibrated by humans, they don't all quite set at the same speed. Add to this things like loaded trucks slowing up hills then speeding up as the hill flattens off and you get the slow overtake. This subject has been raised numerous times in the various professional magazines, but most drivers seem loath to do what I do. Instead of just sitting there on cruise control, I just flick it off, slow down about 5mph for 30 secs and let the overtaking truck in front of me. Most people seem unable to grasp this simple concept, but that proves again that they all think they are excellant drivers!

[Electrochem]

Thank you for that information sddsdean. I have never professed to be an excellent driver. I was aware that HGVs are fitted with speed limiters and I know how frutrating this must be. I was merely making a point and not having a go at HGV drivers. I wouldn't want their job for anything.

At the end of the day it all comes down to courtesey for other road users. It doesn't cost anything by giving way to someone. For a lot of people it's a case of "this is my space - keep out"

[jake-the-peg]

This is the Department of transport official report for 2004

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_041304.pdf

They don't go into the level of detail like puncture etc. because there are often a number of factors and you often only have conflicting opinions on what caused a crash.

All the same it's pretty interesting

[Toureman]

Hi,

Nobody above has answered your question.

You asked "what are the circumstances of the most common types of accidents on motorways?"

Most accidents happen on the hard shoulders!

It is caused by inattentive drivers and drivers who fall asleep, that is why advice is given to all persons who break down to get out of the vehicle and move over the side barrier and get well away from the motorway!

Accident statistics show this.

Perhaps this is why so many moronic drivers stay in the outside lane whatever speed they are doing.