The Truck Menace Strikes Again ...

[sunny-dave]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-27049165

When will we see some action on the ever growing menace of HGVs on our trunk roads?

The entirely bogus 'war on speed' needs to be replaced by an 'assault on trucks'. Virtually every accident/fatality on our motorways and major dual-carriageways involves (and is usually proved to be caused by) one or more HGVs.

Perhaps if the relevant Government Ministers were forced out of their 'blue-light-convoys' and had to spend a few days driving themselves in a modest family car along the A14 and M6, we'd see some action on the appalling standards of driving and (lack of) consideration for other road users displayed by far too many HGV drivers.

I know that there are, hopefully, more 'good' than 'bad' HGV drivers (although it doesn't seem like that some days) - but something needs to be done before entire sections of the major road network become 'no-go areas' for cars and motorbikes.

And don't just blame 'foreigners' - the worst examples are often in GB plated vehicles.

[gness]

I think we have made it clear we are not tarring all with the same brush.
Their driving though, has deteriorated in the years I have been a motorist and I think the figures show that.
It may be due to pressure from their bosses but doesn't make it comfortable for other road users.

[vulcan42]

Being involved in an accident doesn't necessarily mean caused it.

[sunny-dave]

You'd have to be a *very* unlucky group to just be over-represented, innocent participants in quite that proportion of accidents ...

[douglas9401]

Sounds like your motoring equivalent of stop and search there Dave.

Is it all trucks or just those of a particular colour?

[mushroom25]

the authorities could start by enforcing their own rules.

HGVs are limited to 40mph on single carriageway roads. not enforced.
Tractor/trailer combos not permitted in lane 3 on motorways. not enforced.
HGVs not permitted in the overtaking lane on various 2-lane sections of the M42 and A14. not enforced.

[boxtops]

Agree, mushroom - they're not supposed to be on lane 2 up the hill out of the docks here either, but they're still there.

[mushroom25]

one of the real issues though is that the logistics network in this country is no longer fit for purpose. when built the main distribution depots were spaced for a day's journey, but due to traffic conditions many places are now officially out of reach. the asda near here has no storage area, relying on "just in time" stock delivery; this means if it's been a busy day on the roads, there'll be nothing on the shelves by 6pm. that the system hasn't melted down completely is partly because drivers are encouraged to "have a go" by punitive penalties for being late.

[Frank97]

So every time my local Asda say that the truck is late this morning, they are actually telling the truth. I thought it was just the standard excuse, as it seems to be a very regular one.

[youngmafbog]

It's not just the accidents they are in, I drive a fair bit on motorways and dual carriageways, and the two thing that really get my goat are
1) Lorries approx 10 feet from the car or other lorry in front
2) Lorries overtaking each other with approx 1mph difference so clogging motorways and in particular dual carriageways. This then causes frustration for other drivers who boot it when they get past them. In addition I have seen so many lorries start this maneuver by simply moving into the next lane regardless of other traffic or its speed.

Lorry's need to be banned from peak periods, allowed mainly at night. They should not be allowed in the any lane but the left regardless of how many lanes there are. Taxes should be higher, including on foreigners to pay for the damage they cause to the infrastructure.

Freight should be on rails not rubber.

[mikey4444]

Sunny-dave...I am not sure where you get your assertion that virtually every accident is caused by a HGV vehicle. I drove from Swansea to Penzance yesterday, and time and time again, I saw drivers travelling too fast and too close to the vehicle in front. This happened not just on the Motorway but on smaller roads as well. It frightens me to death when I see a car 10 feet behind me.

I drive about 25,000 miles a year and I see this every single day. More Police in patrol cars is the answer. These drivers need to be dealt with and taken off the road if needed. Its stupid in the extreme.

[mushroom25]

//More Police in patrol cars is the answer. //

it won't happen. since speed is perceived as the real menace/cause of all the ills on the nation's roads, cameras are now the de-facto road patrols. cameras, though, cannot detect bad driving.

[youngmafbog]

The thing is though Mickey, whilst very dangerous for a car to do it when a 40ton truck does it and there is a problem the devastation is terrible and invariably causes death.

Not saying car drivers should not be sorted out, especially you average Audi driving rep but trucks are very dangerous and as I have pointed out also contribute greatly to driver frustration by poor and inconsiderate driving.

[youngmafbog]

That is a very good point Mushroom.

Unfortunately the likes of Brake dont see that.

And even for speeders a dressing down and education by a copper at the side of the road whilst he writes the ticket is also much better than a ticket simply chucked through a letter box.

But it's all about cash and stats I'm afraid not improving road saftey at all.

[mikey4444]

Mushroom and others...speed IS a major cause of accidents. If you have to break suddenly because some idiot in the inside lane pulls out without using an indicator, and there is a car 10 or 20 feet behind you, that is the recipe for an accident. And accidents like this occur every day in Britain, many times over. If you are driving more slowly and keep your distance from the car in front, and an accident that does happen is going to be less serious.

This isn't rocket science you know !

[mushroom25]

//speed IS a major cause of accidents//

so that justifies replacing policemen with cameras?

[Old_Geezer]

You should all get off my roads and let me drive in peace !

[mikey4444]

ymb...trucks and trucking is here to stay. We can't dig up Dr. Beeching and make him put all those cute little railway lines back in place. Personally I would like that, especially if there were lots of steam trains again ! But it isn't going to happen. Period.

People need to slow down and drive more sensibly and considerately. Everybody seems to be in such a bl**dy hurry these days, and I'm afraid that includes me at times. Its daft to say that "virtually all accidents are caused by lorries"

[mikey4444]

OG...LOL !

Its the "Jeremy Clarkson" argument, all over again.

[Old_Geezer]

I think the issue in your example. Mikey, is not speed, it is the "idiot in the inside lane" who manoeuvred without checking it was save to do so.

It's not even the lack of indication that's the issue, which if the manoeuvre is timed properly, ought not be necessary. I occasionally find folk indicating they intend pulling out right in front of me, rather than noting I'm about to overtake and waiting until I pass, and that causes stress. One never knows if they really are as stupid as their indicator implies they are about to be.

[sunny-dave]

It's not 'daft' mikey - just a slight hyperbole for effect - look at the figures and read the pdf report in my links at 23:00 last night.

Two wrongs don't make a right - just because there are idiots in cars doesn't mean we shouldn't go after the much greater danger of idiots in lorries.

And (as YMB says) lets make the freight companies pay a proper economic cost for the damage they are doing, as their juggernauts smash our road network to pieces - perhaps we'd see far fewer trucks on the road if the true cost was met by the right people.