tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post7379573285275530799..comments2024-01-01T16:01:35.711+00:00Comments on Dick Puddlecote: Shut The Truck Up!Dick Puddlecotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481866882188932892noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-38322744572143351332013-06-06T22:57:26.646+01:002013-06-06T22:57:26.646+01:00Ban cars from motorways on Sundays, let them take ...Ban cars from motorways on Sundays, let them take nice 1950's style drives along the b-roads and leave the motorways for freight.iggynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-90511338163204814732012-07-01T15:24:30.315+01:002012-07-01T15:24:30.315+01:00Absolutely David. This ridiculous speed limit is ...Absolutely David. This ridiculous speed limit is what causes so many accidents as, quite understandably when on a long stretch of single carriageway A road, other road users do get impatient and some will take risks to get passed. I often see signs on some of these roads saying 'X Accidents in 3 years' followed by 'X Injuries in 3 years' followed by 'X deaths in 3 years'. My immediate thought is, 'and we all know why!'<br /><br />Trucks should be allowed to travel at 50mph on single carriageway A roads; truck drivers are mostly sensible and professional enough to know when 50 would not be appropriate, the same as car drivers are mostly sensible enough to know that even though a country lane may be marked as an NSL road, it is not safe to drive most of them at 60mph!<br /><br />There will always be drivers, truckers or not, that will not always use their common sense, but that will happen whatever the speed limit!Lynladdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-21669764361591491772012-07-01T12:33:46.408+01:002012-07-01T12:33:46.408+01:00What is unbelievable is that new car drivers do no...What is unbelievable is that new car drivers do not have any training, whatsoever, about how to behave around trucks! Nothing in their Hazard Awareness section of their written test, which means they have no understanding at all of how trucks need extra road to get around roundabout or turn left, in particular, but also right. They are left in complete and utter ignorance!<br /><br />Yesterday I got another speeding ticket in the post too! Bloody, arbitrary fixed cameras! It was 3 am, I had had to take a detour due to road closures, so was on a road I did not know with a blurred left kerb due to overhanging trees and hedges and was done for 35 mph in a 30mph! It was a slight, but long downhill incline, dark and wet and I was watching the road, not my speedo. Rightly or wrongly (guess I will find out) I wrote on the back of the form that I was really sorry for watching the road instead of my speedo, but in future I would do my best to correct that! It is no wonder that speed cameras have not saved a single life! 6 bloody points in less than a year - the last one was due to increasing my speed enough (6 mph) to stop a car from overtaking me on a blind bend; I could see over the hedge and knew what was coming - he didn't. So, by preventing a head on collision at 50+ mph (it was a NSL road) I got 3 points and a £60 fine! How can we be professional and drive responsibly when we these arbitrary cameras penalise us for doing so? Increasing my speed on that occasion to 46 instead of sticking to 40 was not dangerous, but it more than likely saved lives!<br /><br />Sorry, know I am on another hobby horse, but seriously, it really does beggar belief, after all, when we had proper policing of our roads they were a darn sight safer!Lynladdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-64017964191114083182012-07-01T00:41:09.625+01:002012-07-01T00:41:09.625+01:00True. I don't think many drivers on the road u...True. I don't think many drivers on the road understand that the stopping distance of a fully-laden artic is bloody huge! Pulling in front by a few yards at 50-60mph really doesn't cut it if they are looking to stay safe from being concertina'd. Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-33726139900243540242012-06-30T20:16:48.931+01:002012-06-30T20:16:48.931+01:00 Late to this party, but you mentioned Italia.
He... Late to this party, but you mentioned Italia.<br /><br />Heavy trucks are banned over the weekend. What this means, I discovered when driving from Bologna to Florence and beyond.<br /><br />Heavy lorries, nose to back bumper, in convoys a mile long; all trying to get home before midnight.<br /><br />A bit hard work that motorway at the best of times, with steep hills up and down, and some of the bends are a bit tight. If a driver fancied his chances of overtaking the truck in front on a downhill slope, he tried it, and those of us coming up on the outside had to jump on the brakes.<br /><br />With the Italian car drivers and bus drivers being, well, Italian in the outside lane, I confess I have had easier drives. And all because of a deadline - the rest of the week evenings on that road are fine; well, sort of but that ain't the truckers' fault.Jeff Woodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-52388924908070535012012-06-29T21:55:59.677+01:002012-06-29T21:55:59.677+01:00Sorry Dick, been doing nothing but working and sle...Sorry Dick, been doing nothing but working and sleeping! Only got on parade today 'cos I booked a day off!<br /><br />As you are aware, I believe, these cars that literally play Russion Roulette with trucks makes my blood boil!Lynladdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-26586086375711990612012-06-29T21:00:44.082+01:002012-06-29T21:00:44.082+01:00I'm currently doing LGV training and have pass...I'm currently doing LGV training and have passed my Class C test and will be taking the artic course and test at the end of July, but I don't have to do the CPC as I have 'aquired rights' from a pre-1997 driving licence. I will have to do the 35hours training but that's over 5 years. I'm an old git at 54! As you say, it costs a fair bit, but hopefully I'll be in a better position to be gainfully employed! <br /><br />On the subject of trucks on a Sunday, I regularly travel on the M25 and A21 on a Sunday and don't see that many trucks for it to be a problem. Lots of tractors out in the countryside though, but that's to be expected. And last week it was sunny so there were lots of cyclists out, so it was a fair old mix of all types of transport who all seemed to be getting along fine. Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-7189652542305884702012-06-29T18:38:58.053+01:002012-06-29T18:38:58.053+01:00You're a bit late on parade, Lyn, I've bee...You're a bit late on parade, Lyn, I've been expecting you. ;)Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-88441357479568108712012-06-29T17:51:23.686+01:002012-06-29T17:51:23.686+01:00Thanks Mudplugger.
I am a trucker. one of the eve...Thanks Mudplugger.<br /><br />I am a trucker. one of the every growing number of women truckers.<br /><br />All I can say is, if they want the trucks off the motorways on Sundays, then keep all other vehicles off the motorways the rest of the week!<br /><br />The biggest bug bare for us truckers are the cars that cannot manage to travel at more than 50mph (we are mostly restriced to between 50 and 56 mph) on motorways, until a truck pulls out to overtake them, when they then increase their speed to around 60mph so we have to pull back in behind them. They then proceed to slow down again! This can go on until we get to a long enough downhill section and we can let the weight of our load push us over our legal limit of 60mph in order to pass them!<br /><br />Others will increase their speed to stay alongside us, thus preventing us from pulling back in. It is neither safe nor professional for us to slow down whilst in the middle lane to pull in behind them again, but even if we try to, many will do the same, thereby still preventing us from pulling over.<br /><br />Some driver get so pi**ed off that they just indicate and start to pull over anyway, which is what some motorists might consider intimidating - but if they want to act like morons, what are truckers supposed to do?<br /><br />We would love to have the motorways to ourselves during the week, there would be far fewer accidents too as many are caused by cars cutting infront of us and braking!Lynladdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-65413007692975818782012-06-29T12:02:25.148+01:002012-06-29T12:02:25.148+01:00Yea, lorries on Motorways are no real problem. It&...Yea, lorries on Motorways are no real problem. It's where they're limited to 40 mph on single carriageways. davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-80121305642320076182012-06-29T00:53:58.355+01:002012-06-29T00:53:58.355+01:00Funny thing about trucks and cities gone made to p...Funny thing about trucks and cities gone made to promote "green". SF, CA, USA used to contract to have a single fleet of garbage trucks that went out, stopping the same day in the same neighborhoods according to schedule and picking up the trash. Then came recycling, garbage in one, papers, glass and plastics in another. They still used the same schedule but with two trucks per week, one for garbage, one for recyclables. Then came a third bin, this one for table scraps and organics - and along with it came a THIRD set of trucks per week, just to collect the organic compostables. So from one set of trucks, it moved to two sets, now to three sets. They recently installed little orange bins special for discarding batteries and so far have requested someone from each neighborhood voluntarily bring it in when it gets filled - but what's not to say they won't incorporate a FOURTH set of trucks one day soon, just to go around and collect that. And, with each doubling of the numbers of trucks, that is a doubling of exhaust into the air, doubling of fuel costs, doubling of unionized government workers. It's not to the issue of large size lorries on the highways on Sundays - and for that, in SF, they close down entire streets regardless on Sundays and called it "Healthways", later "Sunday Street Closures" when the propagandizing nature of the original naming of it became to obvious - but it is possible with this movement, that is what someone is getting at, that streets end up closed on Sundays, then Saturdays/Sundays, then various days throughout the week - leaving it full clear open for government fleets of recyclables and other government vehicles to have the streets all to themselves. So maybe "Healthways" on weekends is what they'll propose next, along with that forced exercise programs in those closed streets using government workers and fake-charities of course to keep the citizens occupied those days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-44081211493030779802012-06-28T23:24:51.717+01:002012-06-28T23:24:51.717+01:00I wouldn't ban trucks from motorways on a Sund...I wouldn't ban trucks from motorways on a Sunday. But I would ban them from the A338 which goes from Bournemouth via Salisbury & up to Swindon.<br /><br />And I'd ban caravans too....John Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-91771616786367919932012-06-28T22:23:38.404+01:002012-06-28T22:23:38.404+01:00Yes indeed. The rules on the continent are so dive...Yes indeed. The rules on the continent are so diverse in many ways. For example, Germany and France have special schemes allowing faster speed limits in certain cases (for a state-received fee and inspection of vehicles, of course), plus many other differences. Toll roads too, special exemptions for certain times, even for differing weather conditions. There is no comparison, and we haven't mentioned the diverse penalties applied throughout - we just know that the UK would aim for the top in that respect, don't we?<br /><br />I'm hoping the guy just thought he would pump out something to make headlines and announce his arrival, only to shut the 'truck' up (see what I did there?) once installed.<br /><br />I would at least hope he understood the term "unintended consequences"!Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-71072745049796094732012-06-28T22:21:24.165+01:002012-06-28T22:21:24.165+01:00If R Hayes manages to get his plan implemented tha...If R Hayes manages to get his plan implemented that I bet there will be many unintended consequences as no one knows how businesses will react.SadButMadLadhttp://sadbutmadlad.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-32774673091078437142012-06-28T22:17:17.469+01:002012-06-28T22:17:17.469+01:00Octoday (I do like that idea :) ) would last five...Octoday (I do like that idea :) ) would last five minutes before our public would demand they be allowed to shop then too. Nothing wrong with that, as long as they realise that the bloody shops need supplying! What really gets my goat about this above all else is that I read the same story on another provincial site and some thought it was a great idea, yet would be appalled if they had to pay more as a result (which they would) and would go ballistic if their local services suffered if business rates were reduced (which they should be if it is going to work). Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-6135410284505248062012-06-28T21:57:59.124+01:002012-06-28T21:57:59.124+01:00Good point, Mark, and the same is true of Italy wh...Good point, Mark, and the same is true of Italy where the same applies. <br /><br />This touches on one of the saddest things about our membership of the EU ... we seem to be the only ones who take it deadly seriously. We can expect highways officers enforcing our Sunday ban - if it were to happen - with ruthless efficiency, while our neighbours continue to employ a more relaxed regime much like the mindset we used to have in the 70s and 80s to stupid laws. We, as a country, have completely folded to petty authoritarianism and accept it meekly. Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-89845950287333559352012-06-28T21:52:19.917+01:002012-06-28T21:52:19.917+01:00The shifting of journeys was something I was going...The shifting of journeys was something I was going to touch upon, and it could well happen, but it's more likely that businesses would adapt some other way. There will definitely be busier Monday rush hours but it would probably be a share with loss of products and increased prices as well. <br /><br />Additionally, many drivers are paid more for working Sundays (due to some conditions in Sunday trading legislation) so those extra quids will be forfeited thanks to Hayes if he is successful. I don't think it will make him very popular. Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-216401789492835402012-06-28T21:50:25.441+01:002012-06-28T21:50:25.441+01:00Sounds like the council official who was in charge...Sounds like the council official who was in charge of roads but who didn't drive - no concept of what the subject they are supposed to manage works.<br /><br />I bet he went to Europe for a holiday and found out this rule via some conversation and then didn't fully investigate it but thought "what a brilliant idea that I can make my mark with in my new role". With what Mark says just above it does sound like he hasn't researched it at all.<br /><br />One of those dangerous people - thinks they know everything but doesn't realise that they know very little. Probably exasperated by the fact that he is probably very experienced in his specialist field.SadButMadLadhttp://www.annaraccoon.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-26460475298634372572012-06-28T21:48:05.769+01:002012-06-28T21:48:05.769+01:00Nice sentiments, MP. :)
They should get better to...Nice sentiments, MP. :)<br /><br />They should get better too, as - via the EU, again - the CPC qualification I hold is also now something drivers themselves have to have. 35 hours training are required on a regular basis to allow them to keep the jobs some of them have had for years. Of course, it's going to cost them a load of dosh.<br /><br />As a result, the industry is losing some of its most experienced older drivers as they throw their hands up and retire. It's not like their current costs and training aren't onerous enough already.<br /><br />Freelance drivers, especially, need Richard Hayes's idea like a bloody hole in the head!Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-30158088350371486112012-06-28T21:47:04.654+01:002012-06-28T21:47:04.654+01:00It's clear we need to reorganise the calendar ...It's clear we need to reorganise the calendar and have an 8 day week. That way trucks could drive on Sundays while we all shopped to buy the stuff they deliver but we could have octoday to relax and be lorry free. That would work!<br />And you are right France basically closes for Sunday - although it's changing fast and picking up all our bad habits. Even some rural supermarkets open on Sundays and of course bread shops always do.Woodsy42noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-75020588981717301082012-06-28T21:43:46.927+01:002012-06-28T21:43:46.927+01:00Yep, and ration cards would help in that respect. ...Yep, and ration cards would help in that respect. I don't know what I was thinking of. :)Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-88698952703589259932012-06-28T21:27:25.371+01:002012-06-28T21:27:25.371+01:00France has had a lorry ban for years. it is widely...France has had a lorry ban for years. it is widely flouted as the drivers view the occasional penalty as an occupational hazard. it is also worth pointing our that France does not operate a 7 day a week consumer society - they shut shop on Sunday and Monday (mostly - sometimes they shut shop on Wednesday afternoons depending on where you are).<br /><br />So he is not exactly comparing like with like.<br /><br />I get irritated when a couple of trucks play leapfrog at 56mph clogging two lanes of the motorway unnecessarily, but intimidated? Nah.Mark Ellottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-27270320008052313992012-06-28T21:15:31.181+01:002012-06-28T21:15:31.181+01:00 I think that you are being too harsh on your dick... I think that you are being too harsh on your dick there - er - Dick<br /><br />Richard Hayes has the right idea. There has never been a better time to put another yoke on business and drive up inflation a bit. Moreover, I'd put him on my Christmas card list for making Saturdays even more unbearable.<br /><br />"Surely it is not too much to ask that we take some of the tension out of the system for one day a week.”<br />Surely it is not too much to ask Richard Hayes to stop breathing for one day a wee.20Rothmansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-44583137146466626162012-06-28T21:06:41.830+01:002012-06-28T21:06:41.830+01:00Unlike you, Dick, I am not a trucker or connected ...Unlike you, Dick, I am not a trucker or connected with the transport industry at all. I am however, a consumer. I consume vast quantities of what the transport industry brings within easy reach, most of which it does almost invisibly.<br /><br />I am however also a driver, with far more than a million miles on the clock to date. I have never once felt intimidated by large vehicles professionally driven, rather I remain truly impressed by the overall standards of road-craft (and certainly close-quarters shuffling) which their drivers manage to display with these load-efficient monsters.<br /><br />I know that whenever I'm out driving on a Sunday afternoon, I'd far rather encounter a hundred professional artics than a single Aunt Maud in her murderously mercurial Micra.<br /><br />Without truckers doing their thing, our whole lives would be emptier, poorer and slower. Keep at it - some of us appreciate you guys.Mudpluggernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-33676206925836739612012-06-28T20:49:31.396+01:002012-06-28T20:49:31.396+01:00Ooh, no, Dick, I cannot agree with you on this one...Ooh, no, Dick, I cannot agree with you on this one. Those nasty big lorry things should be totally banned all together, it's only green, isn't it? We won't starve; there's a nice chap up the street grows cabbages in his allotment, and broad beans, too. The rest we can easily do without, isn't it?Edgarnoreply@blogger.com