Quick Question about overtaking lorries on D/C's
Discussion
Particularly when in queues of flowing traffic.
Rather than blindly follow the car in front alongside an HGV, I'll hang back until I know I can accelerate past his blind spot (you may recall that a foreign registered truck recently wiped out one of my cabs).
The last couple of days, I've made a point of tooting the horn a couple of times before passing. But this has had mixed reactions!
A few truckers have waved thanks, and more than a couple have had what can only be described as a massive eppie!! You spot them in the mirror, all red faced and waving their arms about.
From my point of view, if they know I'm there while I get through the danger zone then that's fine by me, but is there another method of drawing attention to yourself while doing this?
On 3 Lane carriageways I tend to give an extra half a lane, or a full lane if I'm in a position not to interrupt any faster traffic, and so it becomes a non-issue. It's only really on d/c's, and specifically where space is limited due to roadworks, traffic cones, or those bloody average speed cameras that turn everyone into sleepy little speed matching drones! Honestly, I think the average speed traps are a pile up waiting to happen, but that's another story kids...
Rather than blindly follow the car in front alongside an HGV, I'll hang back until I know I can accelerate past his blind spot (you may recall that a foreign registered truck recently wiped out one of my cabs).
The last couple of days, I've made a point of tooting the horn a couple of times before passing. But this has had mixed reactions!
A few truckers have waved thanks, and more than a couple have had what can only be described as a massive eppie!! You spot them in the mirror, all red faced and waving their arms about.
From my point of view, if they know I'm there while I get through the danger zone then that's fine by me, but is there another method of drawing attention to yourself while doing this?
On 3 Lane carriageways I tend to give an extra half a lane, or a full lane if I'm in a position not to interrupt any faster traffic, and so it becomes a non-issue. It's only really on d/c's, and specifically where space is limited due to roadworks, traffic cones, or those bloody average speed cameras that turn everyone into sleepy little speed matching drones! Honestly, I think the average speed traps are a pile up waiting to happen, but that's another story kids...
I usually have my headlights on, especially in the silver barge, which tends to make you ever-so-slightly more noticeable. It's a calculated risk, overtaking anything, so rather than using the horn, I'd wait behind until you know you can accelerate straight through and to the next safe gap - do it as quickly as possible.
I'd hold off using the horn, or a long headlamp flash, unless you've previously seen the heavy wandering in his lane, or if it starts to move while you are alongside. In which case, horn, power, and practice your swearing. HTH
I'd hold off using the horn, or a long headlamp flash, unless you've previously seen the heavy wandering in his lane, or if it starts to move while you are alongside. In which case, horn, power, and practice your swearing. HTH
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