why do some people have no manners ?

[vardenais]

Just got back from a week away - great time in Wales. I tend to tow at the speed limit but was amazed at how many units came roaring past doing far more than 60. When their units were clear of the front of mine, I flashed them in - NOT ONE said "thank you" Is this the attitude you develop when you have a flash twin axle and a big 4 x 4? or are they just so arrogant that they think they are invincible?

off to carry on emptying the washing out of the caravan now I'm off my soapbox

Aileen

 

[Parksy]

If these drivers don't know what the speed limit for towing is then they probably won't know why you flashed them.

 

[Gareth111278]

I agree with Parksy, Don't worry Aileen none of them wondered why you flashed at them, If they have propper mirrors they don't look in them!

We passed a Shogun + Twin axle unit on our way to Cornwall at easter, lying on its ROOF by the side of the A30 where it goes down to 2 lanes.

I try to tow at 60mph [on motorways] so am in & out of the trucks most of the time, lots of them will give you a flash in & I always flash them in when they pass me on the hills!

Whilst we're on the subjuect of people not knowing what you mean, how many times do you give a following car two quick flashes on the left indicator to show they can overtake and they just sit there??

I also wonder how many of these big 4x4 & twin axle unit's drivers should have taken a B+E test....

cheers Gareth

 

[WatsonJohnG]

When we were being followed by some caravanning friends they informed us that there was a fault on our flashers as when we overtook a lorry and indicated left the right indicator always flashed a couple of times as well !!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I'm just being pedantic, but the Highway Code states that headlight flashers are for warning other drivers of your location. They are not for advising other drivers what to do, eg pull in. When taking an advanced driving course and exam you are advised not to use your headlight flashers inappropriately. Perhaps the inconsiderate drivers without manners are all advanced drivers!!!!

 

[GeorgeandAde]

According to the highway code,flashing your headlights means "I am here"!

But being a lorry driver,it also means something else when youve passed another lorry.....lol

 

[joeby]

I'm just being pedantic, but the Highway Code states that headlight flashers are for warning other drivers of your location. They are not for advising other drivers what to do, eg pull in. When taking an advanced driving course and exam you are advised not to use your headlight flashers inappropriately. Perhaps the inconsiderate drivers without manners are all advanced drivers!!!!

well said woodlands camper

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I'm just being pedantic, but the Highway Code states that headlight flashers are for warning other drivers of your location. They are not for advising other drivers what to do, eg pull in. When taking an advanced driving course and exam you are advised not to use your headlight flashers inappropriately. Perhaps the inconsiderate drivers without manners are all advanced drivers!!!!

And then again perhsps not

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I find it most helpful to get a flash to indicate that its safe to pull in when overtaking

So do lorry drivers or they wouldn't bother

It does a lot to free up the carriageway and reduce the mobile road block when 2 similar speed lorries overtake

A quick right flash on the indicator after indicating left to pull in is a matter of courtesy and shows good will etc

These days you are lucky if indicators are used at all by some less than advanced drivers

 

[Gareth111278]

And then again perhsps not

Woodlands camper,

Have you ever driven a long heavy vehicle , limited to a set top speed?

with traffic behind waiting for you to finish overtaking & pull in a quick flash from the other driver is a huge help!

Gareth.

 

[Gareth111278]

Re- flashing of headlights,

I Understand why the Highway Code had to give only one reason to flash your lights , but in the real world we all know that, Flash-flash, means 'I'm giving way to you' & 'FL-A-A-A-A-SH' means 'I'm coming through'!

In france I've noticed that if you want to pull out into another lane, you signal & do it, the driver in that lane will do nothing unless he's coming so fast it would cause him to have to hit the brakes in which case he'll give you a long flash, often held until he's passed you. Took me ages to stop waiting to be 'let out'!

Gareth

 

[DianneT]

No it is not an attitude you develope with a twin axle and a 4 x 4 We see it happen with single axles and cars too. We have twin and 4 x 4 and my husband never travels over 60 mph and always flashes to other vehicles to help or to thank them with or without the caravan. Why do people always knock twin axles and 4x4's?

 

[JohnnyV]

I don't think you have to be a driver of a 4 x 4 and a flash twin axle van, it is just nice when someone takes the guesswork out of judging when you are clear to pull back in (be they a lorry driver, another caravan, or a solo car)

Yes I drive a 4x4 and have a twin axle - and yes I drive at 60mph on the motorway, and I will always give a flash on my indicators to thank someone that has just said "you are Ok to pull in" - most Lorry Drivers do this after all my 'outfit' is 40' long and its nice to have some help.

I towed 200 miles to Devon on Saturday both 'flashing' and being 'flashed' - but I must admit a lot of the vans that overtook me at 70mph+ didn't acknowledge, & most were single axle, badly loaded, and being pulled by family saloons.

Rant over !

 

[Mel]

We found ourselves behind a lorry with "Please do not flash, I really can mangage, thank you" hand written/painted on the the back. There was also a web address; something like banflashing.com. I can't find the website though.

mel

 

[vardenais]

I wasn't having a go at 4x4s etc but honest, they really are, on the whole, the guilty culprits. However, do agree with Johnny - there were a lot of badly loaded single axles doing far more than the speed limit - often loaded with bikes and kids in the back. I consider myself a "professional driver" as I do around 40 thousand miles a year with my job - very often see entire units upside down on the hard shoulder - what a sad way to end/begin your holiday - all for the sake of a few miles per hour and getting there 15 minutes earlier.

Aileen

 

[ShadySadie]

As a twin axle tugger who always answers truckers and other drivers light flash to advise my tail end has cleared them I See plenty of other twin axle caravanners doing the same.

I see most of the so called bad manners from single axle family saloons, too many who want to get past the larger outfits come what may and no matter how big their defecit in pulling power is.

And I've also noticed a new growing caravanning trend for some drivers to place satnavs high on their windscreens in positions that must block some of their veiw. I'm starting to wonder if some bad eyesight and need the screen up close. My satnav gives good imformative audio instructions and only gets the odd glance at times

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

i have a twin axel and a 4 x 4. we tow max on m.way 60mph. we flash indicators singulary etc when we get flashed in. it is a help. we load correctly and always check our nose weight. we tow at approx 85%.

i see lots of outfits over taking us and we guess what speed they are doing. alot of them are nose heavy so the back end of the van is sticking right up, the a frame is right down, along with the cars back wheel arch. Then they put there bikes on a mounted towball bike frame holder thingy just to add a bit more to there nose weight.

then when they get to the site they get there kids bikes off and say go and play till later then bye. go and ride around the site the wrong way in front of outfits and dont forget kids you must always do more than 5mph.

rant over lol

jo

 

[Steve L]

I realy think that these days people of all ages seem to of fallen into the "couldn't give a **** trap.

Even lorry drivers (I've been there got the HGV1)have lost their old tag of "knights of the road".

People are far too soon to condem rather than accept graciously and assistance offered.

I have come across two caravanners in the last couple of months who are merily driving along with their battery locker lids open as they have forgotten to close them and even more worrying, have not taken the care to use their mirrors when turning to scan the side of the van to check it's position.

Trouble is, on both occassions I have moved out to the overtaking position in the road tooted my horn and flashed my lights then pointed to the locker lid. But this is met with either the tower swaying across the road or sticking two fingers up. So I've followed them until they have to stop at traffic lights and then I have to get out and explain in detail what's wrong. Of coarse I get no appology for their rude gestures or even a thanks for telling me.

People flashing lights or blipping indicators is a curtious gesture, wether or not it is legal or not is debateable.

I think we should step back from the rat pack a little and take a look at how people behaved in the sixties. Tipping the hat, holding the door, saying thankyou etc doesn't cost a penny but it does make people smile for a change. These days if people smile, I wonder if they have wind!!

Be happy and helpfull.

ATB TTFN

Steve L.

 

[Steve L]

Sorry folks missed a sentence out after Blipping indicators and flashing of lights. I should of added.

But it is helpfull to all long vehicles and allows them to get back to the nearside lane quicker to allow more traffic to pass.

Doh !!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Steve,

"People flashing lights or blipping indicators is a curtious gesture, wether or not it is legal or not is debateable. "

No debate, flashing lights or tooting the horn have no other legal meaning than to warn others that you are there.

 

[Alex_374373826]

Having driven both lorries and buses, I find the light flashing very useful, so as not to chop the front end off a car.

However, drive a bus and you would be surprised how many cars try to get up the inside, despite indicating to pull over.

They risk it less with a lorry as some feel that they will suffer more damage for some reason.

With a bus there is a lot of reflection and it is hard to see when the mirrors are not heated in the wet. The beauty with a bus is that the whole thing is covered in cameras and when a car does cut you up, you have a witness.

The Highway Code is just that, a code of practice and allowances need to be made eg Stopping distances are worked out for a car, not something weighing up to 44 tonnes.

 

[Rioja]

Strangely I have noticed how many 4x4's I overtake and wonder why they are going so slow as they have bigger engines than mine. Nowadays I never break the speed limit but I am also paying for my fuel since I retired ! As not many 4x4's are company cars I suspect that's why they are driving slowly too .Big usually means thirsty !

 

[paulus_374409736]

The Highway Code is a common set of guidelines for use by all road users, it's purpose is to take the guesswork out of the situations described above. How on earth is somebody supposed to know what you are trying to convey with your lights if everybody has a different way of using them? For example, just from previous replies, if somebody were to turn on their indicators would you think they were asking you to overtake, trying to thank you or maybe they were indicating their intention to change direction?

As for different headlight flashes having different meanings, I've never heard such nonsense!

And another thing, drivers who insist on flashing their headlights at you at night - don't even get me started!!

 

[Allyson]

I always thank people when I have been flashed (using my hazard warning lights) to say I can get in, I return the favour by telling other large vechicles and caravans they can pull over.

When I am on roads and I can see it is all clear in front but perhaps the car doesn't know that behind,I put on my left indicator slow down a bit and pull over slightly to the left giving the car behind a better view of the road for them to overtake.

All this was things my father did when I was younger, and another one is use hazzard lights whilst entering the ferry not to blind the crew directing you, but still making yourself visable!

Allyson

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Alyson

I do most of that and people with common sense usually read the situation and understand that you are trying to be courteous and helpful

As to flashers when boarding a ferry that could be confusing as Brittany Ferries at leats ask vehicles with disabled drivers/passengers to put on 4 flashers to identify them so that they can be sited near to lifts etc.