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Quote: Originally posted by daviddaw on 29/10/2007

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I am surprised that supposedly professional drivers still try to defend their actions by claiming that it takes ages to build up speed if they lift off a bit when being overtaken.  It will make no discernable difference to their journey time whatsoever if they lift off a bit to let another truck overtake within a reasonable time frame.  Most truck drivers do not deserve the professional reputation they believe they possess.

*Lights blue touch paper and retires five paces*

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Well said!

It's a shame the truckers don't think of the impact on other drivers journey time. I'm speaking of my daily car driving job rather than when I am caravanning, but it drives me mad on dual carraigeways when spending 10 mins behind a pair of idiots who refuse to drop their speed by 1mph for 30 seconds to let the other past.

I have to agree with Billy on this one - the days of trucks being 'on the wire' is a long forgotten practice. A combination of the Highways Agency's increased presence and also increased technology means that adjusting the limiter is not really an option. Also, the majority of wagons on the road are not 'owner drivers', any fleet manager worth his salt is going to spot the increase in fuel usage and start asking questions sooner rather than later as prices are crippling hauliers.

Those of you that comment on the actions of 'supposedly professional drivers' may do well to remember that this country relies on road freight more than any other in Europe. Drivers timetables are tighter than a ducks behind these days and a few minutes lost on a run can mean the difference between arriving at your destination on time or having to get 20 miles from where you want to be and having to pull up to take a break to ensure that you do not break the rules about your driving hours.

I can understand that it is frustrating on a dual carriageway that you have to wait while trucks pass one another (although ten minutes seems a long time) but the trucks have just as much a right to use the road as anybody else - dont forget that proceeding at 70mph is a maximum speed for a car driver and should only be done so when the conditions safely allow, it is not a target speed that should be undertaken at all times.

I have the answer to your woes! next time you feel you will have to spend ten minutes waiting for two trucks to pass - pull over and enjoy a piece of fruit, or have a cuppa, read a book, have a sandwich, flick through a paper, listen to a CD - just spend ten minutes consuming something - I can pretty much guarantee that at some point, whatever you consume will have had to rely on road freight to get to you! By the time you get back on the road the truck will have passed one another and you can proceed at your chosen speed - happy days! 

Alternatively you could meditate for the ten minutes, this kind of negates my point about trucks supplying our daily wares but you will feel so chilled out you won't care if anybody holds you up!!

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie Ainsdale on 28/10/2007

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Why do you travel between 55mph & 60mph ?

Why cant you travel at one speed or the other. Why do you need to fluctuate ?

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