[sdeire]

Originally Posted by cargo

Not having a go just pointing out that if it's the DPT I don't think changing lanes is allowed so they couldn't get out of the way and you should have stayed behind them rather than moving back to the driving lane. Doesn't it have those "Stay in Lane" signs?

HGVs aren't allowed to overtake or use the overtaking lane. Cars can, however - that's why it's there.

The Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork doesn't allow any lane changing but that's only a few hundred metres long.

[cargo]

Originally Posted by sdeire

HGVs aren't allowed to overtake or use the overtaking lane. Cars can, however - that's why it's there.

The Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork doesn't allow any lane changing but that's only a few hundred metres long.

Must be the Jack Lynch I'm thinking of. I knew I saw a "Keep in Lane" sign in a tunnel somewhere. (unless it's the big one on the Northern end of the M8 )

[source]

About half an hour ago on the M7, just outside Birdhill, I saw 2 jeeps, one being towed by the other. The one being towed didn't have a single light showing, and the one doing the towing couldn't be seen because the one being towed was blocking its lights.

Talk about dangerous, to top it all off it was moving constantly between the driving lane and the hard shoulder.

[nacimroc]

A few years ago I was driving eastward on N6 in Athlone going around a left hand corner overtaking a lorry when out of nowhere an old women in a yaris appeared going the wrong direction in the overtaking lane. I swerved, just about missed her. Heard later she got done in court and got a small ban. Could have easily killed me and she gets a few months off the road.

About 2 months ago I met a car driving up the slip road off the motorway...the wrong way up sliproad.

I've seen a tractor parked in the driving lane near Kilkenny, a guy driving the wrong way around the roundabout in Waterford etc etc.

Its amazing how bad this country is. I really have to say, the vast majority of near misses I see daily are caused by tractors on motorways.

[Irish and Proud]

Originally Posted by nacimroc

A few years ago I was driving eastward on N6 in Athlone going around a left hand corner overtaking a lorry when out of nowhere an old women in a yaris appeared going the wrong direction in the overtaking lane. I swerved, just about missed her. Heard later she got done in court and got a small ban. Could have easily killed me and she gets a few months off the road.

About 2 months ago I met a car driving up the slip road off the motorway...the wrong way up sliproad.

I've seen a tractor parked in the driving lane near Kilkenny, a guy driving the wrong way around the roundabout in Waterford etc etc.

Its amazing how bad this country is. I really have to say, the vast majority of near misses I see daily are caused by tractors on motorways.

I think the driving test questions will need to get a lot tougher, especially regarding motorways - candidates should have to know all the basic interchange layouts (diamond, dumbbell, rotary, trumpet, 3 level stacks, directional, cloverleaf etc) and how they work. They should also have to know all the rules plus lane discipline inside out as well as observing electronic traffic control signals - something likely to start appearing on the M50 etc. Vehicles should also have to be capable of sustaining at least 80kph which should really be the minimum speed allowed in normal free-flowing conditions on motorways (unless under garda escort).

Regards!

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Irish and Proud

Vehicles should also have to be capable of sustaining at least 80kph which should really be the minimum speed allowed in normal free-flowing conditions on motorways (unless under garda escort).

You do realise that 80km/h is the maximum permitted for HGVs?

[dolanbaker]

I saw the Army convoy on the M6 yesterday as they were moving from Mullingar to Athlone, for some reason they decided to go along at about 30mph.

But quite an impressive sight.

[Auguste Comte]

Originally Posted by Irish and Proud

[B] Vehicles should also have to be capable of sustaining at least 80kph which should really be the minimum speed allowed in normal free-flowing conditions on motorways (unless under garda escort).

Regards!

There is already a rule that a vehicle on a motorway must be capable of doing 50 kph, and are you really suggesting that anybody travelling at less than 80 K's should be done?

[dolanbaker]

Originally Posted by Auguste Comte

There is already a rule that a vehicle on a motorway must be capable of doing 50 kph, and are you really suggesting that anybody travelling at less than 80 K's should be done?

If someone who is driving a vehicle that is capable of being driven safely at 120kmh is dawdling along at under 80kmh on a busy motorway acting as a "mobile chicane" and therefore being a traffic hazard, then YES!

On an empty motorway, not really necessary.

[The Nutty M]

Originally Posted by nacimroc

.... the vast majority of near misses I see daily are caused by tractors on motorways.

Of the near misses you see daily due to tractors,at any time would the lack of awareness and anticipation of other road users have anything to do with these near misses?
As a driver but this eg is mainly as a biker ,if I have a near miss I look at what I'd done or not done to get into the situation.I wouldn't be blaming the person in the car for not looking over their shoulder into their blind spot when they are turning right without an indicator when I was overtaking them.I'd be blaming myself for not looking at their head movement and to not have anticipated their movement in the first place.There is a serious lack of driving skills in this country with a get out of my way mentality.
Peoples interpretation of the laws are good to read,ie there is a minimum speed limit on motorways,no tractors are allowed on the motorway etc.It gives a good insight into how far from reality peoples minds are.
I see loads of stupid driving stuff everyday but everybody see's it too,sometimes the right people see it too and the blue lights come on

[RustyNut]

Originally Posted by dolanbaker

If someone who is driving a vehicle that is capable of being driven safely at 120kmh is dawdling along at under 80kmh on a busy motorway acting as a "mobile chicane" and therefore being a traffic hazard, then YES!

On an empty motorway, not really necessary.

A lot of vehicles are not able to keep up 80 at all times. How is someone a hazard if travelling at 70 for example?

[RustyNut]

Originally Posted by The Nutty M

Of the near misses you see daily due to tractors,at any time would the lack of awareness and anticipation of other road users have anything to do with these near misses?
As a driver but this eg is mainly as a biker ,if I have a near miss I look at what I'd done or not done to get into the situation.I wouldn't be blaming the person in the car for not looking over their shoulder into their blind spot when they are turning right without an indicator when I was overtaking them.I'd be blaming myself for not looking at their head movement and to not have anticipated their movement in the first place.There is a serious lack of driving skills in this country with a get out of my way mentality.
Peoples interpretation of the laws are good to read,ie there is a minimum speed limit on motorways,no tractors are allowed on the motorway etc.It gives a good insight into how far from reality peoples minds are.
I see loads of stupid driving stuff everyday but everybody see's it too,sometimes the right people see it too and the blue lights come on

Here here.
Somebody who sees the big picture, well said sir.

[dolanbaker]

Originally Posted by RustyNut

A lot of vehicles are not able to keep up 80 at all times. How is someone a hazard if travelling at 70 for example?

I did state "vehicles capable of doing 120", if it can't even do 80 and is causing traffic congestion, then it really shouldn't be on the motorway during busy times!

Outsized loads and the like are moved during quieter times for that very reason.

[RustyNut]

Originally Posted by dolanbaker

I did state "vehicles capable of doing 120", if it can't even do 80 and is causing traffic congestion, then it really shouldn't be on the motorway during busy times!

Outsized loads and the like are moved during quieter times for that very reason.

So all trucks should only be allowed on the motorway when?

How does your theory fit With the variable speed limits on the M25 in the uk where they lower the speed limit during heavy traffic which has the effect of reducing journey times?

Or do you just want the road to yourself.

[dolanbaker]

Originally Posted by RustyNut

So all trucks should only be allowed on the motorway when?

How does your theory fit With the variable speed limits on the M25 in the uk where they lower the speed limit during heavy traffic which has the effect of reducing journey times?

Or do you just want the road to yourself.

Trucks do 100 on the motorways (regardless of what the law says).

Variable speed limits are exactly that, variable!

What I am referring to (and you are deliberately ignoring) are drivers who dawdle along causing unnecessary pinch points along a busy motorway.