HGV Nutter?? (1 Viewer)

[davejen]

Went to Carlisle this morning, came off southbound carriageway atM6 J42, as we reached the roundabout a "Currie European artic was coming toward us on our side of the road!!! I gesticulated to the driver that he was wrong, he just gave me a "thumbs up" and then carried on down the sliproad going North!
As soon as poss rang the police to tell them what had happened. Sure enough a few mins later a patrol car came steaming up London Rd to the M6.
Not heard anything on the news, anybody see it? it was about 10 am.
Cheers, Dave

 

[PeteH]

It`l be a Scottish Driver, Practising for when WE get Brexit and THEY have to drive on the right as part of the EU!.

 

[CWH]

Are you sure you saw a driver, not just a passenger? - maybe it was part of this initiative.....

Driverless lorries set for Cumbria trial

Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in CumbriaPhoto: Press Association


Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in Cumbria as part of a government bid to improve to journeys.

According to reports, Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm funding for the initiative in his Budget next week with the M6 near Carlisle being used as a test location.

This proposed scheme would see the vehicles travel in a tightly-packed convoy designed to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag.

Steering, acceleration and braking of the road train will be controlled by a driver in the lead vehicle although the drones will have a driver in each cab as a safety precaution to regain control in the event of an emergency.

There are hopes that the technology could one day improve road safety.<

The DfT could not confirm the location of the test route or timetable and would not speculate on whether the research will receive funding in the Budget, although it said planning for trials was under way.

“New technology has the potential to bring major improvements to journeys and the UK is in a unique position to lead the way for the testing of connected and driverless vehicles. “We are planning trials of HGV platoons – which enable vehicles to move in a group so they use less fuel – and will be in a position to say more in due course.”

– DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT SPOKESPERSON
Last updated Mon 7 Mar 2016

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[MR. FUSION]

Are you sure you saw a driver, not just a passenger? - maybe it was part of this initiative.....

Driverless lorries set for Cumbria trial

Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in CumbriaPhoto: Press Association


Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in Cumbria as part of a government bid to improve to journeys.

According to reports, Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm funding for the initiative in his Budget next week with the M6 near Carlisle being used as a test location.

This proposed scheme would see the vehicles travel in a tightly-packed convoy designed to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag.

Steering, acceleration and braking of the road train will be controlled by a driver in the lead vehicle although the drones will have a driver in each cab as a safety precaution to regain control in the event of an emergency.

There are hopes that the technology could one day improve road safety.<

The DfT could not confirm the location of the test route or timetable and would not speculate on whether the research will receive funding in the Budget, although it said planning for trials was under way.

“New technology has the potential to bring major improvements to journeys and the UK is in a unique position to lead the way for the testing of connected and driverless vehicles. “We are planning trials of HGV platoons – which enable vehicles to move in a group so they use less fuel – and will be in a position to say more in due course.”

– DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT SPOKESPERSON
Last updated Mon 7 Mar 2016

Just goes to show, no job is safe these days. Mind you the bonus will hopefully be a reduced amount of eastern European HGV driving numpties on the roads.

 

[Al-Di]

A lot of Curries are european drivers, most are watching dvd's, same with Coulthards

 

[MR. FUSION]

A lot of Curries are european drivers, most are watching dvd's, same with Coulthards

Same on the autobahns in Germany, saw one watching a video with his feet up on the dashboard presumably on cruise control

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[davejen]

Are you sure you saw a driver, not just a passenger? - maybe it was part of this initiative.....

Driverless lorries set for Cumbria trial

Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in CumbriaPhoto: Press Association


Driverless lorries are set to be tested on a stretch of the M6 in Cumbria as part of a government bid to improve to journeys.

According to reports, Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm funding for the initiative in his Budget next week with the M6 near Carlisle being used as a test location.

This proposed scheme would see the vehicles travel in a tightly-packed convoy designed to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag.

Steering, acceleration and braking of the road train will be controlled by a driver in the lead vehicle although the drones will have a driver in each cab as a safety precaution to regain control in the event of an emergency.

There are hopes that the technology could one day improve road safety.<

The DfT could not confirm the location of the test route or timetable and would not speculate on whether the research will receive funding in the Budget, although it said planning for trials was under way.

“New technology has the potential to bring major improvements to journeys and the UK is in a unique position to lead the way for the testing of connected and driverless vehicles. “We are planning trials of HGV platoons – which enable vehicles to move in a group so they use less fuel – and will be in a position to say more in due course.”

– DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT SPOKESPERSON
Last updated Mon 7 Mar 2016

If this was one of them I think the software needs an update!!
Cheers, Dave

 

[Jaws]

Talking of motorways.. There was an article somewhere the other day that mentioned 'smart motorways' and driving on them required a different skill set..
I have not been able to find any more info though..
Anyone any idea ??

 

[cruiser]

Oh dear. Am I glad that I have retired. I do not think I would like to have a driverless HGV behind me.

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[sedge]

So if they travel in 'close formation', what happens when I decide to over take the first one (ie the one at the rear) and then they won't let me back in the inside lane to take my exit some miles further on?

Or indeed want to get on the mway in the first place, are we now supposed to stop and wait till they've all gone past along the mway up each other's arses at the 'junction' off the entrance slip?

 

[DavidG58]

No idea on the practicalities of it all, but we have just bought a new car for Bev that has the most amazing / scary cruise control I have ever used

Radar guided it totally controls the vehicle, right down to a stop at red traffic lights then back up to set speed when the traffic clears (actually just realised it wouldn't recognise the red light, the car in front stopped so we did) very scary to be behind the wheel steering only, it even applies a hold facility on a slope when stopped

Be warned Mercedes amongst others can already do this, but they do then leave a sensible distance between the front of your car and the next thing ahead

possibly still enough for an audi or BM to squeeze into

 

[MR. FUSION]

Talking of motorways.. There was an article somewhere the other day that mentioned 'smart motorways' and driving on them required a different skill set..
I have not been able to find any more info though..
Anyone any idea ??

Looking at the M6 new smart bit around Birmingham, the new skill set might be, if you break down be prepared to leap out of your car into live traffic, and jump up the embankment like an Olympic athlete....... otherwise you are toast.

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[ambulancekidd]

No idea on the practicalities of it all, but we have just bought a new car for Bev that has the most amazing / scary cruise control I have ever used

Radar guided it totally controls the vehicle, right down to a stop at red traffic lights then back up to set speed when the traffic clears (actually just realised it wouldn't recognise the red light, the car in front stopped so we did) very scary to be behind the wheel steering only, it even applies a hold facility on a slope when stopped

Be warned Mercedes amongst others can already do this, but they do then leave a sensible distance between the front of your car and the next thing ahead

possibly still enough for an audi or BM to squeeze into

Yes our Mercedes does this, its called radar guided cruise control. Its a very odd feeling.

 

[Ranger]

No idea on the practicalities of it all, but we have just bought a new car for Bev that has the most amazing / scary cruise control I have ever used

Radar guided it totally controls the vehicle, right down to a stop at red traffic lights then back up to set speed when the traffic clears (actually just realised it wouldn't recognise the red light, the car in front stopped so we did) very scary to be behind the wheel steering only, it even applies a hold facility on a slope when stopped

Be warned Mercedes amongst others can already do this, but they do then leave a sensible distance between the front of your car and the next thing ahead

possibly still enough for an audi or BM to squeeze into

The wife's car does this as well BUT when it brakes behind another vehicle and gets down to 20mph there is a beep and the braking ceases and you are on your own which concentrates the mind the first time it happens.

 

[Ivory55]

So if they travel in 'close formation', what happens when I decide to over take the first one (ie the one at the rear) and then they won't let me back in the inside lane to take my exit some miles further on?

Or indeed want to get on the mway in the first place, are we now supposed to stop and wait till they've all gone past along the mway up each other's arses at the 'junction' off the entrance slip?

The system I have seen that they was trying out in Scandinavia had the trucks about 5 feet apart to reduce drag and increase fuel consumption. So no you're would now be able to cut in between them if it's like that, should think it would have signage on the last truck indicating the length. Not seen it in real life only pictures/ video of their trials.

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[jongood]

So if they travel in 'close formation', what happens when I decide to over take the first one (ie the one at the rear) and then they won't let me back in the inside lane to take my exit some miles further on?

Or indeed want to get on the mway in the first place, are we now supposed to stop and wait till they've all gone past along the mway up each other's arses at the 'junction' off the entrance slip?

You are actually supposed to give way to existing traffic when you enter the Motorway so it really shouldnt matter if its 1 lorry or five.

Same thing exiting really - we will have to adapt our driving to the changing nature of the traffic - some people will have to adapt quite a lot IMHO.

 

[gus-lopez]

The wife's car does this as well BUT when it brakes behind another vehicle and gets down to 20mph there is a beep and the braking ceases and you are on your own which concentrates the mind the first time it happens.

Handy if you are deaf.

The system I have seen that they was trying out in Scandinavia had the trucks about 5 feet apart to reduce drag and increase fuel consumption. So no you're would now be able to cut in between them if it's like that, should think it would have signage on the last truck indicating the length. Not seen it in real life only pictures/ video of their trials.

What happens with the "trucks from same business have to maintain a 100m (?) separation gap ?"
What happens when trucks have to maintain a 150m separation gap, 3 chevrons , through tunnels ? Legal requirement for all vehicles here .
Just a disaster waiting to happen. You'll have the hackers creating carnage by over riding the systems.

 

[34127]

No idea on the practicalities of it all, but we have just bought a new car for Bev that has the most amazing / scary cruise control I have ever used

Radar guided it totally controls the vehicle, right down to a stop at red traffic lights then back up to set speed when the traffic clears (actually just realised it wouldn't recognise the red light, the car in front stopped so we did) very scary to be behind the wheel steering only, it even applies a hold facility on a slope when stopped

Be warned Mercedes amongst others can already do this, but they do then leave a sensible distance between the front of your car and the next thing ahead

possibly still enough for an audi or BM to squeeze into

Nissan fitted them a while back to some of their Primera range but I think they dropped the idea.

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[Ivory55]

Handy if you are deaf.



What happens with the "trucks from same business have to maintain a 100m (?) separation gap ?"
What happens when trucks have to maintain a 150m separation gap, 3 chevrons , through tunnels ? Legal requirement for all vehicles here .
Just a disaster waiting to happen. You'll have the hackers creating carnage by over riding the systems.

I only saw the trial I think it was Volvo. The laws etc I have no idea. Think their thinking is about 5 trucks in line leaving a dock for example. The first truck is in control and as they get near the destination the back ones peel off leaving just the front truck on its own. The other method they keep trying to get is a land train, an artic pulling 2 trailers at a time. This is used in Scandinavia already.

 

[CWH]

Couldn't resist, surprised nobody else got in first

 

[shawn&emma]

Couldn't resist, surprised nobody else got in first

Don't tell anyone but it's one of my favourite films of all time. Watched it loads of times and just watched it again over Christmas, how sad am I lol.

Shawn

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[martin2603]

Had a similar experience with one on the M26 some time ago Latvian Reg in Curries colours. Spoke to Curries it transpires that they sub a lot of work to anyone who will run in their livery. Mine was on the phone for half an hour , watching dvd while trying to pass me !!


Not exactly good PR for Curries. Give them a wide berth , along with every other Johnny Foreigner who comes near you!!

 

[PeteH]

Double towing is allowed in Most American States, but is often restricted in Urban Area`s. Piggy backing trucks is another way of moving up to 4 trucks between depots with just 1 or 2 Drivers. And the Australians have had "Land Trains" on transcontinental runs for Many Years. And Of Course we Have:-

 

[Tea Bag]

Couldn't resist, surprised nobody else got in first

Hi.
LOVE the.......... "Black Legs"...... Sneaking out the exhausts now and again.....POWER ON!!! 10/4
Tea Bag

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[MR. FUSION]

Double towing is allowed in Most American States, but is often restricted in Urban Area`s. Piggy backing trucks is another way of moving up to 4 trucks between depots with just 1 or 2 Drivers. And the Australians have had "Land Trains" on transcontinental runs for Many Years. And Of Course we Have:-

Looks like frog1 on his way down to spain for the free winter parking [/QUOTE]

 

[klaatu]

Went to Carlisle this morning, came off southbound carriageway atM6 J42, as we reached the roundabout a "Currie European artic was coming toward us on our side of the road!!!

The same one that's blocked the Forth Road Bridge, perhaps?

 

[CWH]

The same one that's blocked the Forth Road Bridge, perhaps?

Yes I just noticed that too

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

The same one that's blocked the Forth Road Bridge, perhaps?

Yes I just noticed that too

I think he was on the wrong side of the road............


And it would now appear the wrong side of the law as well........

 

[PeteH]

The BBC News at 6pm, appeared to imply that the driver had crossed AFTER the closure sign was put up?. One possible issue, could be the fact that Currie are currently employing a large number of "Non UK" contract drivers, with questionable command of the (UK) language?.

Wrong side of the road?. Hmm, Not sure, they are definitely doing some SERIOUS welding work on the dividing barriers?. You could see the weld arc on the news film!.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

You are actually supposed to give way to existing traffic when you enter the Motorway so it really shouldnt matter if its 1 lorry or five.

Same thing exiting really - we will have to adapt our driving to the changing nature of the traffic - some people will have to adapt quite a lot IMHO.

Where we live in France we are 3 Kms from the N10 between Poitiers and Angouleme,we see 30,000 trucks some days traveling up and down as the main non toll road this side of France to Spain.
Frequently joining this road and with a long slip road where in the car you can reach 90 kph you will not find a safe gap to get between the trucks traveling a metre or so apart.They will not ease off for long enough for you to safely access the road,yes I know they don't need to but,what can you do.Stop dead at the end of the onslip?
I was in the outside lane at Angouleme passing a line of 80 kph trucks so close it IS scary when suddenly a police Gendarme on a motorcycle appeared in my mirror and rebuked me for not forcing my way between the trucks quickly enough.So maybe there is a solution to this problem?
I was an HGV driver all over Europe for many years,glad I am not now,I can see their frustration,mile upon mile of no overtaking for over 3.5 tonnes.
But I can't see an answer,can you?

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