Snake on M5

[Niall_McIntosh]

From today’s Daily Mail. Speed appears to be a major factor.

Heart-stopping moment driver loses control of his wobbling caravan

Dashcam footage, taken by lorry driver Lee Flower, shows a truck travelling down the M5 when a red car towing a caravan comes speeding down the motorway.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Buckman]

On another forum I watched that a couple of weeks ago as not sure why they think it happened 2 - 3 days ago. Evesham is nowhere near the M5? However really scary for both drivers and lucky no one was injured.

 

[otherclive]

On another forum I watched that a couple of weeks ago as not sure why they think it happened 2 - 3 days ago. Evesham is nowhere near the M5? However really scary for both drivers and lucky no one was injured.

Thought Evesham was only around 10 miles from the M5 so in a national paper that’s not that far.

 

[Buckman]

Thought Evesham was only around 10 miles from the M5 so in a national paper that’s not that far.

Probably closer to 16 miles however either Worcester or Tewkesbury would have been a lot closer. On checking the event occurred about two or more weeks ago and was posted on FB so we can forgive the DM. No wonder no one believes what newspapers print! LOL!

 

[borderbilly]

Overtaking 1 HGV is bad enough, but to go for the double? A prime contender for the Darwin award.

 

[RogerL]

Overtaking 1 HGV is bad enough, but to go for the double? A prime contender for the Darwin award.

So what do you do when there's a line of HGVs nose-to-tail at 56 mph and a clear overtaking lane.

On the evidence of the video, speed was the issue.

 

[Johnb]

Overtaking 1 HGV is bad enough, but to go for the double? A prime contender for the Darwin award.

I beg to differ!

I travel faster than lorries most of the time and consequently regularly overtake them.
Sometimes it may be far more than 2.

A properly maintained and loaded car and caravan, acknowledgement of any prevailing weather issues to allow for, never overtaking on a steep downhill section of road and, I suppose, driver awareness, all make the overtake safe and straightforward.

As for driving at 50mph (presumably speedo indicated) as suggested by one comment, a real speed of around 47mph, simply clogs up the motorway making driving more difficult for those who wish to, and can safely, maintain a real speed of 60mph, to do so

And of course a caravan at 47 mph in the inside lane simply forces HGVs to overtake and monopolise the central lane on a 3 lane motorway, which sometimes make overtaking when when towing a very long wait - the "3 mile" lorry overtake we have all experienced!