What's made you grumpy today?

[s130]

And following good advice I've downloaded the latest official Highway Code (August 2019).

When I got to the various speed limits it is clear that nobody read and scrutinised the document before publishing.

Quotes from several entries:

30mph = 48km/h
40mph = 64km/h
50mph = 80km/h
60mph = 96km/h
60mph = 95km/h
60mph = 112km/h
70mph = 112km/k

Did this student pass their attention to understanding and detail?

Can I use the 60mph=112km/h as a legal excuse under the highway code saying I set my speedo to km/h after a recent European trip and driving to the 112km limit on a 60mph road as per the official highway code?

I'm going to save/note this in my book of excuses should I be faced with a 60mph infringement. Meanwhile 48 years of driving and no points on my license ever so God willing I'll not need this little "excuse" me lord

 

[dave]

Somewhere on a dusty shelf, is your old Highway Code, last looked at just before you passed your test. (Assumptions here)
Find it, dust it off and look through it.

Mine looked like this, no fecker seems to use roundabouts like this anymore.
back then everyone use them lanes just like this pic and roundabouts worked better.

 

[varesecrazy]

Mine looked like this, no fecker seems to use roundabouts like this anymore.
back then everyone use them lanes just like this pic and roundabouts worked better.

View attachment 205648

25p Dave..

Back then a 'big car' was a cortina

Youd not fit the modern
'school run 4litre' cars
side by side like that..

 

[StevenRB45]

25p Dave..

Back then a 'big car' was a cortina

Youd not fit the modern
'school run 4litre' cars
side by side like that..

That and there will be set of heavily worn lines stating the left lane is left turn only..and that the right lane is for right turns and straight on, and a bus lane...and traffic lights on half the roundabout but not the other half.

I don't necessarily think driving standards are falling there will have been good and bad drivers. But sheer volume of traffic and absolutely **** poor road design make arriving at a new town/area an exercise in 'best guess" driving and leave little margin for error.

Some of the nonsense from near me this was put in 2 years ago or so.


Why does turning left need it's own lane? Hell you could have a permanently on filter arrow instead unless a pedestrian pressed to cross there is no reason you should be held if turning left. Instead let's have two lanes this way one of which is pointless..and no additional lane coming the other way so right turners who need to wait to cross traffic hold up people going straight on. It only makes sense if there was a filter arrow..but there isn't so both lanes are held by the light.

There's another one at a roundabout nearby, all the buses turn right at the roundabout while the majority of the traffic goes straight on so of course where is the bus lane?


So the buses have to cross traffic..and because everyone goes straight on the queue backs up across both lanes all the down on a busy day so the buses get blocked by people moving to go straight on. In case you're wondering, no there isn't a bus stop to explain why they did this and they even widened the road to do this!

in fact while I'm ranting here's another view of the same rounderbout.. notice the lane markings, it operates differently depending on which direction you arrive from! 3 of 4 entrances are contrary to the Highway Code, yes they are marked but you can see the state of the markings and in the dark and rain they are invisible.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Yes, we've got them up here too - by which I mean daft arrangements at junctions, and people who seem to make decisions that are illogical to say nothing of confused and, sometimes, incompetent drivers.

The latest insanity, which has been in place for a while now, is at the junction of Mcdonald road/Brunswick road and Leith walk. Lieth walk is the major road and is two lanes in both directions with the inside lane being a bus lane at rush hours - so open for use at all other times. I drive down here often and, although occasionally, someone holds up the outside lane making a right turn it's really not a problem. Then suddenly the right lane has "grown" a large right turn only arrow with an arrow, maybe half a dozen car lengths back from that - where the bus lane finishes - directing you to take the left lane to go straight on. If you do so you very quickly then run into the start of the bus lane again so you need to switch back into the outside lane. (luckily I turn left at this junction to go down Mcdonald road so it has little impact on me) The problem is that many people still do not like to drive in the bus lane even when you can do so (when it's not active - and there are blue signs all over the place telling you the times) so they arrive at the junction in the outside lane and, disregarding the right turn only arrow, blast merrily on, at speed, straight through the junction. This then causes problems for those who have obeyed the signs and are trying to merge back into the outside lane. Needless to say aggressive private hire cabs are the worst offenders. I've noticed the last couple of times I've been down that way that nearly everyone is now ignoring the "stupid" new markings and using the lanes as we always have for years.

With regard to roundabouts I had a bit of an upsetting incident last night (about 17.00 hours so dark). I was going along Ferry road to the Crewe Toll roundabout, a big roundabout with 2 major, 2 lane roads and 3 more busy single lane roads all converging, very, very busy at rush hours. I was approaching in the left lane as I was turning left to go up to the hospital so my manoeuvre was a very simple one to achieve. I dribbled my way up to the roundabout with everyone else and had to wait while several vehicles came round in the inside lane and went across Becky's nose up the road I was going to go on. There was a very short gap to the next car (large SUV type thing) which was in the outside lane on the roundabout with right indicator flashing so I assumed - foolishly it would seem - that it was continuing round to the next exit. I pulled out sharply, as there would soon be following cars I didn't want to inconvenience, and made my left turn only to find headlights right up my back bumper and a horn being blown aggressively, It was that SUV. He/she then sat on my back bumper for the half mile or so to the hospital and then followed me into the hospital road. This continued right up to the car park which I was luckily able to enter without hindrance. The SUV (with windows so dark I couldn't see in) swung round behind me and headed to the exit. I don't mind admitting I felt very intimidated and a bit shaky.

Just to finish on a slightly brighter, and perhaps more interesting, note. There was a post a wee while ago by someone who noticed that their oil pressure warning light seemed to be on. very dimly, at times. Becky, our 2010 Panda Dynamic Eco was bought mainly as transport for Mrs J going round the shops, retail parks, etc because, having driven our 1992 Panda Parade for many many years, she was not so much at ease with our slightly larger and "different" Ibiza Estate and she also didn't want to be the one driving it when someone inflicted a dent/mark on it in one of these locations. Consequently I don't drive Becky so often and especially not in the dark. Mrs J is in Hospital just now so I've been going to visit her in Becky as she's just so easy to squeeze into small parking places. Last night on my return home, I was accosted by my neighbour who was kindly inquiring after Mrs J and asking if there was any help they could render me - we really do have very nice neighbours - I was still sitting in the car and when we'd finished our conversation I had "stuff" (laundry etc) to gather from the floor well on the passenger side. The drivers door blew shut (high winds yesterday) as I was doing this and all the dash display was dark when I went to open the door. Purely by chance I was looking at the instrument display as I opened the door. As you will know this action brings on the orange display (mileage, clock, etc) between the two gauges. However I noticed - and it's very dark by now being around 18.30 hrs - that the oil warning "oil can" sign was very dimly illuminated. So dim that in daylight you wouldn't see it. At first I thought it was light spill behind the display from the main display in the middle. I closed the door and waited for the display lights to go out and, hello, I think the central main display extinguished before the oil can? Ok, open the door again and, hey, the oil can lights up momentarily BEFORE the display! Tried this a few times and the oil can definitely goes out after the centre display and comes back on momentarily before. So, not light spill then. I don't know why it does this and it really is VERY dim, you can't see it in daylight. In all other respects the oil can light works as you would expect. I've been thinking about this overnight. In the "good old days" the oil light circuit was a very simple affair. Battery current, Pos side, was applied through the ignition switch (when on) to one terminal on the bulb and then from the other terminal to the oil light pressure switch on the block from where it could find earth and so back to the battery Neg side. With the ignition on and no oil pressure the light would be lit as the pressure switch would be "made". With the engine running, oil pressure would push against the diaphragm in the pressure switch, break the circuit and the light would go out. I'm wondering though if now, with modern cars running so much "stuff" through Body Control ECUs whether that might be where this "dim light" effect originates? If the switching to the light is being accomplished with a transistor (or other semi conductor?) rather than a simple contact type switch there may be some sort of current leak going on which is allowing this effect?

 

[StevenRB45]

Panda wise have you just hit the dashboard?

Odd question but it used to solve most errant warning lights in my Uno. Other than the battery light, which used to operate as a change up light due to a faulty sender in the alternator..water used to fix that, whenever it rained normal service returned.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Panda wise have you just hit the dashboard?

Odd question but it used to solve most errant warning lights in my Uno. Other than the battery light, which used to operate as a change up light due to a faulty sender in the alternator..water used to fix that, whenever it rained normal service returned.

Tried that last night - always used to work with our old TV! Unfortunately it's made absolutely no difference (and, on reflection, I'm relieved to report that it seems none the worse for it's beating). Sorry Becky, I promise to be more gentle with you in future.

 

[DaveMcT]

However what is supposed to happen when the straight ahead route has two exit lanes often with light bollards to mark the road centreline? I'm probably wrong but as I understand, that means you can use left or right lane around the island to go straight ahead.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've always understood that to be the case Dave. But this would not seem to be supported by the recent upgrade to a large roundabout near us - I transit it on my way out of town to my younger boy's. In fact It's quite confusing.

It's the roundabout which intersects the A1 (dual carriageway) and the city bypass A720 (also dual carriageway). The roundabout is under the A1 and is lights controlled. (google maps shows it as it used to be before the upgrade. It's now 3 lanes as you join it from this direction with the left lane leading to the next exit. There are very clever illuminated cat's eyes in the road which light up delineating lanes when the traffic lights change. So as I approach it heading east on the A1, dropping down on the two lane slip road I select the inside (left) lane. As I actually join the roundabout these illuminated lights direct me to choose between the inner or middle lane I select the middle as I'm going on round onto the city bypass (270 degrees). The right lane on the slip road is only directed to the inner lane on the roundabout. Then, traffic lights permitting, we continue and the illuminated cats eyes direct the inner lane to peel off up to the A1 (east - 180 degrees from joining). I'm now in the inner lane as I go under the A1 and it's now only two lanes. Again traffic lights permitting, I can peel off onto the city bypass (south). However here the illuminated cats eyes allow both my lane and the next door one to peel off onto the bypass so if you are in the inside lane and want to go on round the roundabout (which you shouldn't of course) the result would be chaotic. The great saving grace is that each intersection is lights controlled so speeds are generally low.

So I think what many years of driving have taught me is that although on many occasions both people and road markings/signs will inform/drive predictably there are situations where chaos will prevail. My brother in law, a commercial pilot and trainer, used to say to me "Just drive as if everyone else on the road is trying to have an accident with you" Having driven extensively throughout Europe and some of the old Eastern Block countries when I was younger I have driven in situations where chaos would seem to be the norm and it's a pleasant surprise to find a driver behaving legally!

 

[portland_bill]

As there are so many different shapes of roundabout, it is impossible for them to be shown in the Highway Code. There are still a lot of simple crossroads roundabouts, like the illustration, but we tend not to remember these.

So, the Highway Code, for everything, not just roundabouts, states general rules, from which we may have to adapt behaviour according to local situations. Fine for local people, always difficult for visitors. (Try going to unfamiliar areas in a fully liveried driving school car, everyone around expects you to know the local customs, as they all assume you're local. That's pressure. All gone now, now in a plain Fabia, so invisible without the L-plates)

Basic rule for roundabouts, is to treat it like a clock face, arriving from 6 O'clock.
With two lanes on approach, left lane is for all exits up to and including 12 O'clock, right lane for all exits after 12 O'clock. (Occasionally you'll find one where that still applies.)

With three lanes on approach, gets a little more complicated, unless lanes are clearly marked for their exit destinations.
A general rule.
Left lane is often for left turn only, but can be for left turn and up to 12 O'clock.
Middle lane is often ahead only.
Right lane for all beyond 12 O'clock.

Please don't squeak at me. We can all point at many that work differently. If they're not clearly marked, complain to your local traffic department, not me.

If you try to never sit beside another vehicle in a roundabout, it is easy to avoid a collision when they take a different route than expected.

The entry road markings are often less than helpful.
There will often be left turn arrows, ahead arrows, and some double-headed arrows for left and ahead. Rarely do they use right turn arrows, so even a right-turn only lane will enter the roundabout with an ahead arrow. Reason: Afraid cars will turn right against the traffic flow. That's the calibre of people the road managers expect to be using the road you are sharing. Be afraid.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

If you try to never sit beside another vehicle in a roundabout, it is easy to avoid a collision when they take a different route than expected.

The entry road markings are often less than helpful.
There will often be left turn arrows, ahead arrows, and some double-headed arrows for left and ahead. Rarely do they use right turn arrows, so even a right-turn only lane will enter the roundabout with an ahead arrow. Reason: Afraid cars will turn right against the traffic flow. That's the calibre of people the road managers expect to be using the road you are sharing. Be afraid.

I think this is one of the best pieces of advice to everyone PB, especially don't hang about just off their rear 3/4 where many cars have a blind spot. I would add to always leave adequate thinking/action time to the vehicle in front. Often quite difficult to achieve in town traffic as some aggressive person invariably uses up your safety zone by "jumping" into it. Out on the open road I find "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" works very well, especially on the motorway. - I would recommend anyone who hasn't to try it, you'll be astonished at how much room you should be leaving to the car in front at 70 mph. You'd better believe it though. I've had a couple of occasions when I've come upon a major incident on dual carriageways, when, although maintaining the sort of separation the above rule gives you, I've only just managed to come to a halt without rear ending the accident. It's a truly terrifying thing to experience!

Unfortunately once you get down south into the area of the likes of Birmingham/Manchester and the top end of the M5 everything goes out the window! with people driving fast and aggressively with insane separation - the sort of distances that would be just about acceptable in town at 20 or 30 mph.

I'm horrified by your statement about the right turn arrow possibly encouraging some people to turn into the traffic flow (go the wrong way) at roundabouts. However when I think about it I've seen some pretty unbelievable maneuvers being attempted over the years.

I think impatience is a very big factor in a lot of situations. For instance last night, on my way home, in the dark, from visiting Mrs J in the hospital, I was in the right hand of two lanes at traffic lights. The left lane had a filter light and the lead car was a driving school car with a big "L" in a pyramid mounted on the roof - you would see it from way back in that lane. The pupil must have been early on in the instructional process because the engine was stalled repeatedly with the car only moving forward about 4 or 5 feet each time. One person started blowing their horn at about the 3rd attempt shortly followed by a multiple cacophony of horn blowing. I could see the instructor calmly reassuring his increasingly distressed pupil but progress was not being made by the time my light went green and I drove on. How counter productive was that? If everyone had just accepted that this learner needed a bit of time and sat quietly the likely hood would be that progress would have been soon resumed, even missing a cycle of the lights is not exactly going to bring on the end of the world!

 

[DaveMcT]

The big problem around my way with small islands (not mini roundabouts) is drivers in the left lane thinking they can just straighten the circle. There is plenty of space to join alongside them (when you are going right)but many get really upset - you are using "their" lane when in fact they are the ones wandering out of line.
I wonder if this is why some islands (as described by Jock) are having the exits restricted to one lane. If so that's very much a retrograde step as drivers should be forced to follow the road markings rather than making the roads less efficient.

 

[s130]

There are solutions for taming bad drivers:

1) https://tanks-alot.co.uk/product/fv-armoured-personnel-carrier-am-gkn-sankey/

2)https://tanks-alot.co.uk/product/daimler-ferret-armoured-scout-car-mk-1/

These would be the aggressive approach.

You can also legally buy (well you used to be able to) by ex police vehicles, especially the classics, with the full livery and even Police on the sides. Same goes for fire engines, ambulances etc.

Would just add you need to check the current rules and regs for yourself.

There are strict rules attached like radios have to be removed, blues & twos can not be used except when stationary at classic car shows, etc. Also you can not wear any uniform that could be mistaken for a police officer whilst on public roads, etc.

Also there is nothing illegal about Battenburg marking your own vehicle.

Here is an example that would make people think twice before messing with you:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/volvo/ex-police-volvo-marked-security-patrol-vehicle-full-battenberg-livery-full-lightbar-and-light-set-up/1334282021

 

[DaveMcT]

There is an up his own ar*e motorcyclist regularly on the M5 south of Bristol with a bike decked out like a police patrol and a "Polite" vest. He trundles along in the middle lane seriously aggravating the queues behind. I cannot believe that what he does is legal but he's never been stopped. I took great delight in cutting in front of him to get to the "slow" lane.

Impersonating the police is illegal by the way. I would expect all wording and blue lights to be removed from an old patrol car to make it road legal.

 

[portland_bill]

Back in the early eighties, in Dorset, there was a motorcyclist with his bike made to look like a police bike. Due to his behaviour, he was prosecuted, and found guilty of impersonating a police officer.

 

[s130]

Impersonating the police is illegal by the way. I would expect all wording and blue lights to be removed from an old patrol car to make it road legal.

Yes impersonating is. As for Blue Lights they have to be covered or removed on public roads. One exception is a classic fire engine BEING DRIVEN BY currently serving fireman entitled to drive.

 

[DaveMcT]

Back in the early eighties, in Dorset, there was a motorcyclist with his bike made to look like a police bike. Due to his behaviour, he was prosecuted, and found guilty of impersonating a police officer.

Back in the 1980s, a Smart Alec workmate recieved a "word in his ear" about his police style bike. The orange and silver dayglo stripes came off PDQ. The BMW bloke on the M5 really should be visited by the boys in blue. He's a menace.

 

[StevenRB45]

Was passing a line of cars on the opposite side of a curved road on my commute in a line of traffic, car in the line moves someone swerves round him with his line of site blocked by the curve.

Unfortunately I'm using the lane he's swerved into to travel in the opposite direction. Smash the brake pedal into the floor, but I'm on a steep downhill, it's damp and covered in winter mess so instant ABS activation. His current path ends in my front bumper so last ditch swerve towards the kerb and somehow I miss both him and the kerb and carry on.

The 2 on the other side of the road stopped no idea if the one who swerved out choose a side to side instead of a head on as they both stopped.. possibly just to shout at each other maybe he steered into the previously parked car to avoid me. Didn't stop to ask as the transit behind me had nearly rear ended me during the incident.

However good christ I was glad I'd had my coffee this morning, certainly got the heart going. Doesn't happen often as I drive defensively but one of those where you don't have time to use horn e.t.c.

 

[DaveMcT]

The horn indicates annoyance at perceived bad driving nothing more. If you actually have time to use the horn you could have avoided the accident - as you did and didn't .

 

[StevenRB45]

Indeed if you have the time to register the need to sound the horn you've got time to spare.

I'd love to say my finely honed driving instincts saved the day. However more than likely it's years of playing Forza and GTA on the xbox and making split second decisions at a simulated 200mph to spot a gap and aim for it.

Brakes certainly didn't help, nothing worse than when you want feel the G force of the brakes pushing you forward and all you get is a pedal full of ABS vibration. Although on an older car it would have been a full lock up and no directional control.