50mph on the motorway.

[1ten]

A - cars arriving at the merge point of a sliproad at 45mph and expecting traffic to let you on , I can make it to the merge point at 65-70 in a 700cc smart car

Or better still the old lady who drove down the slip road on the M11 yesterday in front of me at 40mph and stopped at the end!!! that made getting onto the motorway a challenge, I‘m glad I was in a fast car and not the van.

 

[JockandRita]

Or better still the old lady who drove down the slip road on the M11 yesterday in front of me at 40mph and stopped at the end!!! that made getting onto the motorway a challenge, I‘m glad I was in a fast car and not the van.

We had an old lady stop in the nearside lane of a fast flowing A3 northbound at Petersfield, to allow another car to join the dual carriageway from the on slip road. A definite twitchy bum moment.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Nigel P]

I was already fact checked by The Ex-Gasman #123

50mph on the motorway.

Van's don't have the same speed limit as cars (unless it is registered as a motorcaravan). It is 50,60,60 for any van. The only vans that can do the same as a car are car derived vans. My vivaro for instance is not much bigger than a car but is limited by law to 50,60,60. You are incorrect...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

And I acknowledged my brain fart in #131

50mph on the motorway.

Van's don't have the same speed limit as cars (unless it is registered as a motorcaravan). It is 50,60,60 for any van. The only vans that can do the same as a car are car derived vans. My vivaro for instance is not much bigger than a car but is limited by law to 50,60,60. You are incorrect...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

No criticism intended, I posted the chart to also help others as the speed limit issue is a common question on speed awareness courses; both in relation to vans/weights/lengths and to the definition of dual carriageways for all vehicle types. It is clear from some other posts that many do not know all the complexities around speed limits; so I thought the definitive text might be useful. Not often you get told you can go faster than you thought!

 

[Ivory55]

No criticism intended, I posted the chart to also help others as the speed limit issue is a common question on speed awareness courses; both in relation to vans/weights/lengths and to the definition of dual carriageways for all vehicle types. It is clear from some other posts that many do not know all the complexities around speed limits; so I thought the definitive text might be useful. Not often you get told you can go faster than you thought!

Do you remember the old days when as long as you wasn’t going faster than the car in front you was ok. Haha

 

[Wack]

Or better still the old lady who drove down the slip road on the M11 yesterday in front of me at 40mph and stopped at the end!!! that made getting onto the motorway a challenge, I‘m glad I was in a fast car and not the van.

M6 north J15 the sliproad to enter NB is a 360 loop and a long sliproad

I was in a van towing a trailer building up speed on the loop , as I approached the straight bit a woman was stationary with an indicator on

She waited for a gap then straight onto the motorway from a standing start , I was amazed there wasn't a crash

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[cmcardle75]

No criticism intended, I posted the chart to also help others as the speed limit issue is a common question on speed awareness courses; both in relation to vans/weights/lengths and to the definition of dual carriageways for all vehicle types. It is clear from some other posts that many do not know all the complexities around speed limits; so I thought the definitive text might be useful. Not often you get told you can go faster than you thought!

Yes, it turns out lots of people think dual carriageway means "two lanes going in the same direction", not "each direction separated by a median or barrier"

 

[sallylillian]

We had an old lady stop in the nearside lane of a fast flowing A3 northbound at Petersfield, to allow another car to join the dual carriageway from the on slip road. A definite twitchy bum moment.

Cheers,

Jock.

When I was doing my C+E practical, motoring along a dual carriageway, passing by a slip road, vehicles overtaking me on the outside lane, a van came down the slip road at some speed miss-judged and braked when he saw my artic. The examiner failed me that time for causing a dangerous manoeuvre by the van!!!! I said surely he was in the wrong, the examiner said I should have slowed!!!

 

[Gromett]

Do you remember the old days when as long as you wasn’t going faster than the car in front you was ok. Haha

That reminds of the t-shirt.

 

[JockandRita]

When I was doing my C+E practical, motoring along a dual carriageway, passing by a slip road, vehicles overtaking me on the outside lane, a van came down the slip road at some speed miss-judged and braked when he saw my artic. The examiner failed me that time for causing a dangerous manoeuvre by the van!!!! I said surely he was in the wrong, the examiner said I should have slowed!!!

I'm all for easing off the accelerator Michael to allow others who are clearly making an effort to join the carriageway correctly, (I'll even flash them on), but I view the drivers both in your situation and mine, to be in the wrong on two accounts, ie, a lack of observation and use of mirrors, and actions which may cause other road users to take evasive action unnecessarily. However, I appreciate that it is just my opinion, and not that of a Driving Instructor/Examiner.

Back in the mid 80s when I was coming to the end of my PSV test, and on the way back to the Centre, I approached a tree covered roundabout, which obscured the view of any traffic approaching from the north. The road was clear to my right so I entered the roundabout, only to have matey come steaming round from behind the trees, clearly not expecting anyone else to be on the roundabout. How he didn't pile into me broadside, I'll never know, but at that stage I genuinely thought I had failed, even though I had no idea he may have already been on the roundabout, before I entered it.
After parking up and answering the examiner's questions as part of the test, he then said, "I am pleased to tell you that you have passed".
When I questioned him about the car on the roundabout, he commented that the car driver was at fault, by going too fast and not exercising due caution that other traffic may already be on the roundabout. Nice one.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Wack]

When I questioned him about the car on the roundabout, he commented that the car driver was at fault, by going too fast and not exercising due caution that other traffic may already be on the roundabout. Nice one.

Cheers,

Jock.

I've lost count of the amount of idiots I've seen in fast hatchbacks entering a roundabout at speed then going round it like they're on a stage rally

I had one hit me about 10 years ago

Dual carriageway approaching a motorway junction with an exit straight on

I'm in the left lane because I'm going straight on

I get to the first exit M6 north , next thing the offside of my front bumper has some dick in an Audi bouncing off it

He'd come up behind me and thought turning left from the RH lane of the dual carriageway was ok

It explained a lot when the first words out of his mouth were " not again"

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[Ivory55]

On some roundabout where it’s signed up what lane to be in people use the lane which is most empty and cut up who ever on the roundabout to get where they want. Prime example hardwick at Kingslynn.

 

[JockandRita]

On some roundabout where it’s signed up what lane to be in people use the lane which is most empty and cut up who ever on the roundabout to get where they want. Prime example hardwick at Kingslynn.

Yep, you need eyes up your ar@e on that roundabout, as half the users don't have a clue what lane they need to be/should be in.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[tacr2man]

I thought the aim with a large HGV was to approach the roundabout at such speed so as to intimidate car drivers already on the roundabout to stop as an act of self preservation , to allow you uninterrupted passage , it seems to work

 

[cmcardle75]

I thought the aim with a large HGV was to approach the roundabout at such speed so as to intimidate car drivers already on the roundabout to stop as an act of self preservation , to allow you uninterrupted passage , it seems to work

As a frequent driver of minibuses driving large trailers, there are certain strategies that result in you being apparently aggressively assertive in narrow road situations. Sometimes pushing in front of an oncoming driver who might technically have right of way saves both of you time, as they won't be able to get past you anyway, so it is better for them to be intimidated into waiting, rather than you having to reverse. If you drive passively, they'll assert their priority, you'll have to reverse 12m+ of bus and trailer several hundred metres and someone will come up behind you anyway and everyone's beeping and swearing for 15 minutes. Better to scare them into waiting for their own good.

 

[Pausim]

As a frequent driver of minibuses driving large trailers, there are certain strategies that result in you being apparently aggressively assertive in narrow road situations. Sometimes pushing in front of an oncoming driver who might technically have right of way saves both of you time, as they won't be able to get past you anyway, so it is better for them to be intimidated into waiting, rather than you having to reverse. If you drive passively, they'll assert their priority, you'll have to reverse 12m+ of bus and trailer several hundred metres and someone will come up behind you anyway and everyone's beeping and swearing for 15 minutes. Better to scare them into waiting for their own good.

I was given similar advice when being assessed for driving a bus for the disabled in a rural area. The instructor/tester said if you think there isn’t room for 2 vehicles, take command of the centre of the road and make it clear that there is no room for the other drivers to try and squeeze through.

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[Backdraft]

Couple of bits of advice from my old instructor,

Being assertive "When you use your indicators, you are telling them what you are about to do, not asking their permission"

Being aggressive "Using the size of your vehicle to intimidate other drivers........... unless you need to do it for their/your own safety!"

 

[jongood]

M6 north J15 the sliproad to enter NB is a 360 loop and a long sliproad

I was in a van towing a trailer building up speed on the loop , as I approached the straight bit a woman was stationary with an indicator on

She waited for a gap then straight onto the motorway from a standing start , I was amazed there wasn't a crash

Why they havent changed that is beyond me, one of the most dangerous accesses on the whole network.there are no houses to affect so it would realtively simple to buil a new northbound sliproad acessing a bit further up.

 

[JON8H]

Totally agree with the 56-60 mph in the motorhome on major roads and maybe a little more when there is something to overtake. This speed reduces the number of lorries overtaking you or you overtaking to a reasonable level. The journey is part of the holiday, at this speed you can enjoy it.

The thought of having to do an emergency stop in a Moho at 70 mph, does give some concerns.

 

[JJ]

50 MPH !

Jeeez...

I rarely go anywhere close to as fast as that.

What's the rush?

We are all heading for death... I choose to take my time getting there and enjoy the smell of the roses and coffee en route.


JJ

 

[Coolcats]

Running in was when engine machining was pretty basic so stuff had to wear to fit basically. With todays tech and ultra fine machining its not really needed

I have had a lot of new cars changing them at around 9 months and 45,000 miles I found that treat the engine kindly such as warming everything up before driving hard does keep the vehicle in good condition and that also includes keeping the revs down for the first session 1500 miles a bit of mechanical sympathy doesn't go amis even in todays vehicles

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[Pausim]

I found that treat the engine kindly such as warming everything up before driving hard

I understood that gently warming up a diesel engine was not being kind to it. In my boating days I was told to warm up petrol engines but to put a diesel engine under load as soon as possible after starting it. Apparently running cold can cause cylinder glazing.

 

[pappajohn]

Don't think that's a thing any more?

Yep.... Just like the de-coke every 1500 miles.
I suppose reliability prevented high mileage journeys in the 40s and 50s

 

[Paul and Val]

50 MPH !

Jeeez...

I rarely go anywhere close to as fast as that.

What's the rush?

We are all heading for death... I choose to take my time getting there and enjoy the smell of the roses and coffee en route.


JJ

And that JJ, is exactly why we motorhome/camping car drivers have such a terrible reputation with other road users. Totally selfish with no awareness of, and no care towards other drivers.

If you are only capable of driving at 50mph on main roads and dual roads then really? You should not be on the road and you need to hand your licence back and stop blocking other road users as you are a danger, no, an absolute menace to normal drivers. Anybody else on this forum driving at such ridiculously low speeds is in the same category.

I think it fair to say that most motorhome drivers drive at much more reasonable speeds these days. Even with the feeble FIAT engines it is possible and completely safe to drive at faster and more accepted speeds.

If you really must drive so selfishly then PLEASE pull over regularly and often and let drivers past, and before you say that you do, I mean regularly move over not just occasionally.

Discuss!

 

[2657]

And that JJ, is exactly why we motorhome/camping car drivers have such a terrible reputation with other road users. Totally selfish with no awareness of, and no care towards other drivers.

If you are only capable of driving at 50mph on main roads and dual roads then really? You should not be on the road and you need to hand your licence back and stop blocking other road users as you are a danger, no, an absolute menace to normal drivers. Anybody else on this forum driving at such ridiculously low speeds is in the same category.

I think it fair to say that most motorhome drivers drive at much more reasonable speeds these days. Even with the feeble FIAT engines it is possible and completely safe to drive at faster and more accepted speeds.

If you really must drive so selfishly then PLEASE pull over regularly and often and let drivers past, and before you say that you do, I mean regularly move over not just occasionally.

Discuss!

Are you aware that the speed limit for trucks is 50 mph on single carraigeway roads?
50 mph is a perfectly acceptable speed, if someone driving at that speed is causing a danger to you or anyone else then they are driving too fast!!

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

The thought of having to do an emergency stop in a Moho at 70 mph, does give some concerns.

I would expect that most would not stop that quickly or that the driver would be wary of everything in the back emptying forward into the cab.

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[Pausim]

Are you aware that the speed limit for trucks is 50 mph on single carraigeway roads?

I am happy at 50 MPH on single carriageway roads. However on motorways I like to keep up to a speed where the trucks are not forced to overtake me. I do not consider a motorway to be part of the holiday, it is an artery to get vehicles around the country as quickly and safely as possible. I believe that it is not only considerate but safer to cause as little inconvenience as possible to other road users, especially the HGVs that are generally doing about 56 MPH.

 

[busby]

Why do people drive quite new motorhomes at 50 mph on busy motorways? I've travelled 50 miles or so on the M4 the last couple of Friday afternoons and have been surprised how many newish motorhomes I've passed going along at about 50 mph. Slow enough that there is a line of lorries overtaking them. My van is 25 years old but is still happy at 60, I generally trundle along at about 56 so as not to have to overtake too many artics, I would hate to be continually overtaken by them. My works transit will happily do 80mph fully loaded so why so slow? It's hardly because the driver is enjoying the scenery!

Because they can.BUSBY.

 

[busby]

65 mph is enough for my PVC. Noise alone is unacceptable above that and I don’t need to see the fuel gauge needle moving (enough of a shock putting I’ve £90 of fuel in on a 1/4 full tank as it is.

it can be an offence to go too slow if you are causing an obstruction

But 50mph isn't slow.BUSBY.

 

[busby]

M6 north J15 the sliproad to enter NB is a 360 loop and a long sliproad

I was in a van towing a trailer building up speed on the loop , as I approached the straight bit a woman was stationary with an indicator on

She waited for a gap then straight onto the motorway from a standing start , I was amazed there wasn't a crash

That's what happens in Spain,,BUSBY.

 

[Skez]

Motorways and dual carriageways = cruise control a few mph faster than the trucks for me, and being totally aware of traffic in front, behind and alongside me means I inconvenience no-one, have a relaxing drive, get there as quickly as most others and it's relatively fuel efficient and mechanically sympathetic.

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