Thread: Proof the lunatics are running the UK today

Originally Posted by Morden

Most HGV drivers in the UK drive well. That's the result of the training, testing and monitoring that has been introduced over the past few decades. I remember the outcry from HGV drivers when the tachometer was introduced. They called it the 'spy in the cab'. Undoubtedly, that and other measures have saved many lives on the road.

However, there is still the selfish and reckless element. My car was once almost crushed up against the armco by an HGV the driver of which thought that no-one should use the outside lane approaching a lane restriction. He committed an illegal act by entering that lane himself. The trouble is, other road users aren't able to recognise the cowboys until they pull out without adequate warning.

Whether or not the law applicable to cyclists is adequate is irrelevant. They will always be vulnerable and its up to other road users to take care when passing them.

How about when an HGV has slowed down to walking speed to negotiate an acute left hand turn, should the cyclist not take care when overtaking the wagon on the inside as this is were many of the accidents happen , the HGV driver is very well aware of scenarios like this through his practical and written training , what training does the cyclists have to be made aware that they are undertaking a highly dangerous act by trying to pass approaching the turn? .

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Most HGV drivers in the UK drive well. That's the result of the training, testing and monitoring that has been introduced over the past few decades. I remember the outcry from HGV drivers when the tachometer was introduced. They called it the 'spy in the cab'. Undoubtedly, that and other measures have saved many lives on the road.

However, there is still the selfish and reckless element. My car was once almost crushed up against the armco by an HGV the driver of which thought that no-one should use the outside lane approaching a lane restriction. He committed an illegal act by entering that lane himself. The trouble is, other road users aren't able to recognise the cowboys until they pull out without adequate warning.

Whether or not the law applicable to cyclists is adequate is irrelevant. They will always be vulnerable and its up to other road users to take care when passing them.

How about when an HGV has slowed down to walking speed to negotiate an acute left hand turn, should the cyclist not take care when overtaking the wagon on the inside as this is were many of the accidents happen , the HGV driver is very well aware of scenarios like this through his practical and written training , what training does the cyclists have to be made aware that they are undertaking a highly dangerous act by trying to pass approaching the turn? .

The cyclist should also take care, of course.

When I was young I took a government sponsored cyclist proficiency course and I see no reason why such a course should not be available today. I also think that cyclists should wear helmets and have third party insurance, However, large vehicles are much more dangerous than bicycles and the drivers have a more onerous responsibility to other road users.

It's no use HGV drivers claiming that they are always is the right and cyclists are in the wrong when there's an accident. Some of the posts from HGV drivers show a degree of anger on the subject that is rather worrying. Let's hope that they don't get so angry whilst driving.

Originally Posted by Morden

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Most HGV drivers in the UK drive well. That's the result of the training, testing and monitoring that has been introduced over the past few decades. I remember the outcry from HGV drivers when the tachometer was introduced. They called it the 'spy in the cab'. Undoubtedly, that and other measures have saved many lives on the road.

However, there is still the selfish and reckless element. My car was once almost crushed up against the armco by an HGV the driver of which thought that no-one should use the outside lane approaching a lane restriction. He committed an illegal act by entering that lane himself. The trouble is, other road users aren't able to recognise the cowboys until they pull out without adequate warning.

Whether or not the law applicable to cyclists is adequate is irrelevant. They will always be vulnerable and its up to other road users to take care when passing them.

How about when an HGV has slowed down to walking speed to negotiate an acute left hand turn, should the cyclist not take care when overtaking the wagon on the inside as this is were many of the accidents happen , the HGV driver is very well aware of scenarios like this through his practical and written training , what training does the cyclists have to be made aware that they are undertaking a highly dangerous act by trying to pass approaching the turn? .

The cyclist should also take care, of course.

When I was young I took a government sponsored cyclist proficiency course and I see no reason why such a course should not be available today. I also think that cyclists should wear helmets and have third party insurance, However, large vehicles are much more dangerous than bicycles and the drivers have a more onerous responsibility to other road users.

It's no use HGV drivers claiming that they are always is the right and cyclists are in the wrong when there's an accident. Some of the posts from HGV drivers show a degree of anger on the subject that is rather worrying. Let's hope that they don't get so angry whilst driving.

Who ever said that HGV drivers are always in the right?, no one is infallible , all I am saying is that HGV drivers are far better trained on road awareness and knowledge of the highway code ,they have to be otherwise they would not pass their driving test which any one who has had to through the "meat grinder" of the test to receive your HGV Class 1 will tell you .

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Most HGV drivers in the UK drive well. That's the result of the training, testing and monitoring that has been introduced over the past few decades. I remember the outcry from HGV drivers when the tachometer was introduced. They called it the 'spy in the cab'. Undoubtedly, that and other measures have saved many lives on the road.

However, there is still the selfish and reckless element. My car was once almost crushed up against the armco by an HGV the driver of which thought that no-one should use the outside lane approaching a lane restriction. He committed an illegal act by entering that lane himself. The trouble is, other road users aren't able to recognise the cowboys until they pull out without adequate warning.

Whether or not the law applicable to cyclists is adequate is irrelevant. They will always be vulnerable and its up to other road users to take care when passing them.

How about when an HGV has slowed down to walking speed to negotiate an acute left hand turn, should the cyclist not take care when overtaking the wagon on the inside as this is were many of the accidents happen , the HGV driver is very well aware of scenarios like this through his practical and written training , what training does the cyclists have to be made aware that they are undertaking a highly dangerous act by trying to pass approaching the turn? .

The cyclist should also take care, of course.

When I was young I took a government sponsored cyclist proficiency course and I see no reason why such a course should not be available today. I also think that cyclists should wear helmets and have third party insurance, However, large vehicles are much more dangerous than bicycles and the drivers have a more onerous responsibility to other road users.

It's no use HGV drivers claiming that they are always is the right and cyclists are in the wrong when there's an accident. Some of the posts from HGV drivers show a degree of anger on the subject that is rather worrying. Let's hope that they don't get so angry whilst driving.

Who ever said that HGV drivers are always in the right?, no one is infallible , all I am saying is that HGV drivers are far better trained on road awareness and knowledge of the highway code ,they have to be otherwise they would not pass their driving test which any one who has had to through the "meat grinder" of the test to receive your HGV Class 1 will tell you .

The real test is how they drive rather than what they are taught. A small minority are selfish and dangerous.

When I was working I had access to accident statistics. On average, an HGV would be involved in one accident each year. The average for a car was around 15% for mature drivers and up to 50% for young drivers. Perhaps the ratio for cyclists is much lower.

Originally Posted by Morden

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by Morden

Most HGV drivers in the UK drive well. That's the result of the training, testing and monitoring that has been introduced over the past few decades. I remember the outcry from HGV drivers when the tachometer was introduced. They called it the 'spy in the cab'. Undoubtedly, that and other measures have saved many lives on the road.

However, there is still the selfish and reckless element. My car was once almost crushed up against the armco by an HGV the driver of which thought that no-one should use the outside lane approaching a lane restriction. He committed an illegal act by entering that lane himself. The trouble is, other road users aren't able to recognise the cowboys until they pull out without adequate warning.

Whether or not the law applicable to cyclists is adequate is irrelevant. They will always be vulnerable and its up to other road users to take care when passing them.

How about when an HGV has slowed down to walking speed to negotiate an acute left hand turn, should the cyclist not take care when overtaking the wagon on the inside as this is were many of the accidents happen , the HGV driver is very well aware of scenarios like this through his practical and written training , what training does the cyclists have to be made aware that they are undertaking a highly dangerous act by trying to pass approaching the turn? .

The cyclist should also take care, of course.

When I was young I took a government sponsored cyclist proficiency course and I see no reason why such a course should not be available today. I also think that cyclists should wear helmets and have third party insurance, However, large vehicles are much more dangerous than bicycles and the drivers have a more onerous responsibility to other road users.

It's no use HGV drivers claiming that they are always is the right and cyclists are in the wrong when there's an accident. Some of the posts from HGV drivers show a degree of anger on the subject that is rather worrying. Let's hope that they don't get so angry whilst driving.

Who ever said that HGV drivers are always in the right?, no one is infallible , all I am saying is that HGV drivers are far better trained on road awareness and knowledge of the highway code ,they have to be otherwise they would not pass their driving test which any one who has had to through the "meat grinder" of the test to receive your HGV Class 1 will tell you .

The real test is how they drive rather than what they are taught. A small minority are selfish and dangerous.

When I was working I had access to accident statistics. On average, an HGV would be involved in one accident each year. The average for a car was around 15% for mature drivers and up to 50% for young drivers. Perhaps the ratio for cyclists is much lower.

This is quite an interesting link, the safety tips for cyclists are quite revealing (I suggest you and others read them) as its quite obvious the guys in the Video I produced have never read them , anyway why should they ? all you need is the dough to buy a cycle and Britains roads are your Oyster , of course there are many bad drivers no one is disputing that at all , but a Cyclist should take extra care as they are so vulnerable .Cycling near lorries | Cycling | Transport for London I think if the cyclists stuck to the safety tips there would be a lot more alive today .