Holiday Driving.

[bingoTE50]

I done a bit of holiday driving yesterday from home to Lismore and back . Apart from the woman near the Murwillumbah pulling into traffic on the phone and where the limit is 110 and everyone diving into my lane to avoid her , and , on the return trip near Coomera ,an AU Falcon- Green , presumed stolen , doing about 200 with no lights on at 10.30 pm and eight police vehicles in pursuit about a minute later , twas relaxing drive... not.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Just south of Rocky a day or two back...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151306728759626

Sadly, this is representative of the majority of truck drivers we now see on the highway. The minority are now "the good guys" and any impartial observation will show anyone that "the cowboys" are now in the majority.

They can cry about "give us space" but that also means no overtaking and cutting back in, not tailgating slower vehicles after catching up to them, and backing off and giving us the "space" you tell us you need. If this means you can't storm along at 110-plus (yes you do...) then so be it. Show the safe following distances you allege that you need.


Caravans: either speed up or get out of the way. As a guy I work with who travels in his van a lot says: you've already ruined your fuel economy by slapping a huge van on the back...so you might as well sit on 100kph instead of holding everyone up by doing 80.

This thread is NOT about Truck/Caravan or even Train Drivers. So please don't start bringing your personal Train vs Truck debates here.

And your attitude with the 'speed up or get out of the way' is the kind of mentality that gets people killed.

Seeing as your friend likes sitting his van on the speed limit so doesn't hold anyone up, I guess in NSW he'd be driving at 110 and in the NT rocking along at 130!

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

we clocked up 35 last August, lived together for 2 years before that, 37.5 years in total, she is such a lucky woman -

anything like my goddess and I would say she's a saint to put up with the likes of us!!!!

[prydey]

i guess one of the best character traits we can show on the road is patience.

an old saying 'better late than dead on time'.

does it really matter if you get held up for a few km? or even 100km!! as long as you reach your destination alive, that should be the most important thing.

if you are driving to meet a deadline, allow plenty of time, and then a bit more.

when out on the highway, there are many many people who are no longer in a rush to get somewhere. many drivers are happy to tootle along at their own pace, sometimes 5-10km below the limit. this is their prerogative. it may hold you up for a short period but hardly worth getting irate about.

patience people. drive safely. its not a race or a competition.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

That fits in the "only in 'Murrica" dept.

Hypermilers? WTF's that?

Hypermilers are people who try to get the most distance out of a tank of fuel, they change driving style, tyre pressures, etc to see how far they can go on one tank, lol.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by prydey

i guess one of the best character traits we can show on the road is patience.

an old saying 'better late than dead on time'.

does it really matter if you get held up for a few km? or even 100km!! as long as you reach your destination alive, that should be the most important thing.

if you are driving to meet a deadline, allow plenty of time, and then a bit more.

when out on the highway, there are many many people who are no longer in a rush to get somewhere. many drivers are happy to tootle along at their own pace, sometimes 5-10km below the limit. this is their prerogative. it may hold you up for a short period but hardly worth getting irate about.

patience people. drive safely. its not a race or a competition.

Having personally been behind caravans at 40km/h under the limit it does add considerable time and concentration to a journey. You soon end up with a freight train of vehicles a couple of k's long that are all bumper to bumper. Not good for road safety.

Those complaining about trucks tailgating need to realise how long it takes a truck to overtake. He needs to be close to the leading vehicle to get around it in as short a time as possible. He will also cut back in quicker as you can surely out brake a fully laden truck in your vehicle, or it shouldn't be on the road. When a car cuts in on a truck he is risking being completely flattened if he brakes.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

I disagree with this, I find it very helpful when others on the road who are driving in the opposite direction to the rising/setting sun have their lights on, usually it makes it much easier to see them. It defines them from the usually darkened landscape around them.

I think the guy with 40+ years behind the wheel might have the right idea.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by irish2

Having personally been behind caravans at 40km/h under the limit it does add considerable time and concentration to a journey. You soon end up with a freight train of vehicles a couple of k's long that are all bumper to bumper. Not good for road safety.

sorry, you aren't convincing me that a little patience wouldn't nullify that situation straight away.

how much time would you really lose? lets say you were stuck behind for 100km, doing 40km under the limit (70 in a 110 for example). you'd arrive at your destination roughly 30min later than normal. big deal! seriously. why get irate and take risks with people lives over the sake of 30min, or even 60min!! what significance does that amount of time play when you compare it to someones life!

i also fail to understand why people get right up the bumper of larger slower moving vehicles. not only does it annoy the larger vehicle (can create extra drag) it also severely limits your forward visibility for overtaking opportunities. if you sit 100-200 metes off the back you can see much further up the road, can plan your move better and also have more momentum when you decide to make the move, meaning less time on the wrong side of the road without necessarily breaking the limit. besides i don't care whether you do or don't. its beside the point.

and not to dwell on trucks, but remember, when you are off on your holiday travels, the truckies are on the clock. time is money, so if you want to sit on an indicated 100 on your speedo (probably closer to 95) then no doubt you will find you have a mirror full of grill every now and then as they drive on the limiter which is a gps 100. its nothing personal, they can see much further than you can and they will pass as soon as they are able. and to quote meatloaf - objects in the mirror may appear closer than they are.

[2011G6E]

Blanket claims are easy to make when, if people were honest, they would admit that the courteous truckies who drive to the conditions and drop back and keep a good distance between the car in front and themselves when overtaken are getting rare nowadays. It used to be "the bad eggs" that stood out...now it's the good eggs who you notice, the ones doing the right thing. Being "on the clock" doesn't excuse tailgating cars and attempting to bully your way through with a "might is right" attitude.

Caravans...yes, they should be able to sit on the speed limit or very close to it. When we had an old Franklin behind our XC Fairmont, we'd sit on 100kph as often as we could and pull over the moment we got cars starting to line up behind us. Yes, it used to chew a lot of juice, but as I said, you know you've ruined your economy anyway, so what's a bit extra?
As for you "only" get there 30 minutes later if you sit on 70 in a 110 zone following a van, good lord...have you tried sitting on 70 on the highway for any distance? That really is how accidents happen.

Back on topic...one of the biggest problems on the roads are people trying to do too much in too little time. People who only drive on the highways away from the capital cities once or twice a year, and think they can drive 1000km in a day without taking any different preps to if they were driving 100km in a day.
Cars that see too many kilometers and too little service is another worry...on the weekend I was filling up outside Bundaberg and an old Honda Civic (loaded to the roof with presents and gear in the back and with mum, dad, and two kids on board) next to me filling up seemed to have a major rattle under the bonnet somewhere. The guy was looking under the hood, and I had just checked the oil in my Celica. I asked if he needed a hand, and he grunted and said "I'll get my brother to check it in Mackay...". Sure...if you make it that far...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Back on topic...one of the biggest problems on the roads are people trying to do too much in too little time. People who only drive on the highways away from the capital cities once or twice a year, and think they can drive 1000km in a day without taking any different preps to if they were driving 100km in a day.

sounds like me. i do an interstate trip (adelaide to bris) once a year. its about 2000km. my wife prefers not to drive. it takes a day and a half give or take. normally do around 14hrs the first day (last year was about 18!), stop o'night somewhere and end up in bris for lunch the next day. have been doing it for more than 15yrs.

seems like blanket claims are your forte

and if you ask me, the only accidents as a result of being held up doing 70 on the highway for an extended period, are those showing a LACK of patience, not the other way around.

[chizzy86]

Drove up from Canberra to Coffs Harbour in my Skoda TDI and most people on the roads were pretty good, considering the volume of traffic

Except for the stupid old lady in her teal Mazda 121 bubble from Nambucca to Coffs who with all her might to prevent a diesel Terry and I from getting past her. By the time we hit the dual carriage way the guy in the Terri must have slammed it down a couple gears and put his put down judging by the blast of black smoke that came out

[kevino]

The black smoke is a safety feature to prevent people tailgating.
Use it all the time on the Gold Coast Motorway. Some one tailgates me, I drop the cruise back say 3 kms an hour then floor it the big cloud ofdiesel smoke scares em back as their air con picks it up.

[MercurySilver]

did a few local runs yesterday

got the same idiots sitting on 70 in the right lane, left lane clear, driving past 80km speed signs and keep left signs
he must be turning at the next lights
nope
next set?
nope
sometimes you have to wonder

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by kevino

The black smoke is a safety feature to prevent people tailgating.
Use it all the time on the Gold Coast Motorway. Some one tailgates me, I drop the cruise back say 3 kms an hour then floor it the big cloud ofdiesel smoke scares em back as their air con picks it up.

I bet the Skoda doesn't produce a cloud of black smoke lol

[Werd.]

All diesels do lol, wonder if they're ever emission tested anywhere near full throttle?

[Stagg]

I got here safe in Queensland on Sunday evening

Left Geelong at 6:15pm on saturday, got into Burleigh Heads at 6:45pm on sunday. Had a quick sleep break at Taree and there was an awful traffic jam with roadwork happening just north of Port Macquarie. Car is safe though!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Werd.

All diesels do lol, wonder if they're ever emission tested anywhere near full throttle?

There's black smoke and there's a smokescreen lol. I went up to about 160 in the Octavia TDI, below 3500 revs and no smokescreen even with 200 000 ks on the clock! Still about 40 km/h or so in reserve.

That lady in the Mazda is obviously a practitioner of the "stay in front at all costs" school.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by new2ford

That lady in the Mazda is obviously a practitioner of the "stay in front at all costs" school.

Had two of the "stay behind at all costs" for my 7hour round trip across rural Vic to visit the in-laws. Going one way had a VE catch up to me quickly while sitting on cruise .. And sat there probably less than a car length behind for approx 1hour until we hit the Hume, then they found somone else to tailgate. On the way back, another VE did exactly the same thing for about 1hour .. Until they pulled over for food or something. Very annoying on a rough, narrow rural road. Had some young guys catch up to me at one stage in three cars .. They all just pulled up behind, picked a safe passing spot and continued on their way. Their "speeding" was much less annoying .. And I'd suggest far less dangerous ..

[new2ford]

The worst place to have someone pushing your tail is in a heavy fog. The trick is to let them pass - then you can use them as a pathfinder!

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Had two of the "stay behind at all costs" for my 7hour round trip across rural Vic to visit the in-laws. Going one way had a VE catch up to me quickly while sitting on cruise .. And sat there probably less than a car length behind for approx 1hour until we hit the Hume, then they found somone else to tailgate. On the way back, another VE did exactly the same thing for about 1hour .. Until they pulled over for food or something. Very annoying on a rough, narrow rural road. Had some young guys catch up to me at one stage in three cars .. They all just pulled up behind, picked a safe passing spot and continued on their way. Their "speeding" was much less annoying .. And I'd suggest far less dangerous ..

P i s s ed and speeding driver in a VE killed a cabbie in Geelong yesterday, once again the vehicle of choice for idiots.

[hawkgirl]

as a past tower of horse floats, i'd like to remind caravanners, and towing vehicles in general, to remember that there are other vehicles behind you, and it is good manners to pull left where appropriate & let the faster vehicles past you.

have just done an up/down trip to toronto over xmas- boxing day..... the ineptitude of some drivers is truly scary

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by lilmattie

Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

People tend to notice you easier.

I do this most of the time. Every now and then I still have people tell me I have my lights on during the day, like I am unaware that they are on.
I don't even explain it anymore, just reply with "I know"

[Franco Cozzo]

Did 500km on the Hume highway in Vic today seeing family.

Saw a LOT of cops pulling over people speeding, but not doing anything about the caravans sitting in the right lane.

That road can be faster than 110km for sure, between broadford and wangaratta its in excellent condition. Why pull people over for 10km over?

[GREGL]

[QUOTE=prydey;4562330]sounds like me. i do an interstate trip (adelaide to bris) once a year. its about 2000km. my wife prefers not to drive. it takes a day and a half give or take. normally do around 14hrs the first day (last year was about 18!), stop o'night somewhere and end up in bris for lunch the next day. have been doing it for more than 15yrs.

seems like blanket claims are your forte

and if you ask me, the only accidents as a result of being held up doing 70 on the highway for an extended period, are those showing a LACK of patience, not the other way around.[/QUOT
Maybe if you were consistent with your opinions it would it be easier for people to agree with you. You begin by saying "please don't hold up the traffic" and end with " who cares if there doing 40 below the speed limit".
Personally I don't care if they are doing 40 under as long as they stick to it! Nothing worse than someone speeding up and slowing down constantly, frustration isn't the word when you come across one of these wombats. They should be put in the same category as the fatal four.

[Stagg]

Well just got back from Gold Coast, did a 19 hour stint only stopping for petrol and I am well rooted, going to have a sleep now.

Since it was my first road trip that was also overnight, I made the rookie mistake of not thinking about Kangaroos on the Pacific highway at night. About 2:30 this morning jumbo skippy tried to make love to my radiator:



Stayed with the poor guy on the sice of the road, trip computer said it was 6 degrees outside brrr.. took about 10 minutes for poor skippy to pass on :(

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Stagg

Well just got back from Gold Coast, did a 19 hour stint only stopping for petrol and I am well rooted, going to have a sleep now.

The Pacific ? that's taking the scenic (long) way to get there

Originally Posted by Stagg

Since it was my first road trip that was also overnight, I made the rookie mistake of not thinking about Kangaroos on the Pacific highway at night. About 2:30 this morning jumbo skippy tried to make love to my radiator:


Stayed with the poor guy on the sice of the road, trip computer said it was 6 degrees outside brrr.. took about 10 minutes for poor skippy to pass on :(

I managed to get one as well but mine didn't last as long as yours...although it was big enough to dent the middle crossmember on the Bullbar.

I'd hate to think what your AU would look like if you got this one !

[Stagg]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

The Pacific ? that's taking the scenic (long) way to get there


I managed to get one as well but mine didn't last as long as yours...although it was big enough to dent the middle crossmember on the Bullbar.

I'd hate to think what your AU would look like if you got this one !


image

Woah that's brutal!!

Geez was is the Kangaroo Terminator or something??

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Stagg

Woah that's brutal!!

Geez was is the Kangaroo Terminator or something??

More like Kangaroo Terminated

[Hawkeye84]

Did the Sydney to Brisbane route on Thursday and got here safely.
But I'll tell you what, the number of people driving at 80 in a 100 zone and then speeding up to 120 when overtaking lanes are present is just insane and dangerous. I don't get the logic!

Also the traffic jam we experienced in Kempsey was insane (expected as it's the holiday season), read in the papers later that the traffic was stretched to 23km. Luckily we found a place the to stay overnight.

I'm hoping the trip home would be a better one

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye84

I'm hoping the trip home would be a better one

Take the New England, it's a nicer drive, not as many tourists at this time of the year and it wont take you much longer.
(we used to do Syd/Bris in 12 hours back in the 'good ole days' )