curteous caravanners

[chelsea1]

We are fairly new to caravanning so we are noticing a lot of new things/experiences. We had the impression before we bought our van that we would have a hard time with lorry driver attitude towards caravanners when towing, but in fact it has been the opposite - every lorry we have overtaken on our travels has "flashed" us in when we were clear of them! We were even more suprised to notice that a lot of caravanners dont flash you in! what do you do??

If its me or my husband driving (towing and not towing) we would always flash in a lorry/van/towing vehicle in front of us to give them an idea they are clear.

Also yesterday coming home on the M5, We were towing our van behind another car towing a trailer tent...this car slowed down doing about 50mph, we were right behind it so had no option but to pull out into the 2nd lane and overtake it...this driver of the car towing the trailer tent then proceeded to put his foot down fast, we were coming up to our junction to come off the M5 and had no option but to keep going, I was helping my husband by seeing he was clear but all I could see in the side mirror was this chap racing us up the inside lane! In the end my husband had not option but to put his foot down and put the indicator flashing so he could begrudgingly let us in.

I was so annoyed at this, he was not doing this speed when we were behind him, we didnt want to overtake him in the 1st place as we were in no hurry to get home, but why on earth do people do this? Its just dangerous and stupid!

 

[mcghee]

Caravanners are statistically the safest drivers on our roads, being involved in only 0.2% of all road accidents. Most are very considerate to other motorists, especially other caravanners, but there's always the exception. My pet hate is drivers who float up the middle lane on motorways and hang around right at the rear corner of your 'van mile after mile oblivious to your intention to pull out. Interestingly, I am also a white van driver (young, male), so statistically I am the safest and most dangerous driver!

 

[stantonks@hotmail.com]

I agree with craig about caravaners been the safest and most considerate drivers on the road. One of the things I do for other motorist If I,m on an A road and I can see a que of traffic building up behind me I look for a layby which gives me clear views in both directions and pull in to allow the traffic to pass.

 

[RogerL]

I always thought that the poor reputation of HGV drivers was undeserved even before I bought a caravan in the '80s. As a caravanner I've found them very helpful and courteous. Once in a blue moon they don't help but it's very rare.

On the other hand the number of fellow caravanners who don't flash when you're clear after overtaking is noticeable as is the number of caravanners who don't acknowledge the flash when they overtake me.

Some car drivers don't like being overtaken by caravanners, they'll either accelerate to match your speed just when you get level or overtake you and then slow down below your own speed.

Chill is the best advice, you're in control of 3-4 tons so be responsible.

Insurance companies have the most accurate statistics on driving standards - they have to pay the bill! The fact that no insurer charges an extra premium for towing indicates to me that their risk goes down considerably, if it went up you can be sure they'd charge us an extra premium.