To the driver of the blue lorry

I do a lot of miles each week and see some shocking driving, mobile phones frequently responsible. You see drivers struggling to stay in their lane, speed is inconsistence, appalling lane discipline and it's all because they are distracted. Some people manage to drive responsibly and talk on the phone but a lot don't.
 
Ignoring the comparisons between mobile phone use, smoking, driving one handed etc, I know the road and the mini roundabout the OP is talking about, and I would agree that fullest concentration is needed.
 
I drive with one hand all the time.. On the motorway I have one hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and my other hand in my lap. Having your hands 10 to 2 doesn't make you a good driver, I find it uncomfortable and awkward. I often put my cruise control on and relax at leisurely 60mph. My left hand is free to grab the wheel if needed having your hand on the wheel doesn't make you react quicker in some circumstances as iv clearly seen...

I find defensive and hesitant drivers really dangerous, always slamming their breaks on instead of just taking their foot off the throttle.. Sitting for an age at a round about for a gap then actually pulling right out on somone. Looking for shadows I don't know it's annoying and a dangerous way to drive.

For those who still go 10 to 2 and follow the rules I do hope you still push and pull, check mirrors every 6 seconds, leave the correct gap when waiting behind vehicles.
 
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risky business said:
I find defensive and hesitant drivers really dangerous, always slamming their breaks on instead of just taking their foot off the throttle.. Sitting for an age at a round about for a gap then actually pulling right out on somone. Looking for shadows I don't know it's annoying and a dangerous way to drive.

For those who still go 10 to 2 and follow the rules I do hope you still push and pull, check mirrors every 6 seconds, leave the correct gap when waiting behind vehicles.
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Er, yes? You seem to be insinuating that drivers who hold the wheel at 10 to 2 must be hesitant, defensive drivers who slam on their brakes and dither? I favour good positive driving, actually. I also never tailgate and always drive round blind corners at a speed enabling me to stop within my sightline. Does this make me a cissy?

However, I am never smug about my driving. There is always room for improvement for all of us.
 
risky business said:
I drive with one hand all the time.. On the motorway I have one hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and my other hand in my lap. Having your hands 10 to 2 doesn't make you a good driver, I find it uncomfortable and awkward. I often put my cruise control on and relax at leisurely 60mph. My left hand is free to grab the wheel if needed having your hand on the wheel doesn't make you react quicker in some circumstances as iv clearly seen...

I find defensive and hesitant drivers really dangerous, always slamming their breaks on instead of just taking their foot off the throttle.. Sitting for an age at a round about for a gap then actually pulling right out on somone. Looking for shadows I don't know it's annoying and a dangerous way to drive.

For those who still go 10 to 2 and follow the rules I do hope you still push and pull, check mirrors every 6 seconds, leave the correct gap when waiting behind vehicles.
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6 seconds!! - try 3 or less for me and most advanced drivers

If finding 10 to 2 is uncomfortable then its usually down to the positioning of the seat especially the back rest

One handed at the bottom of the wheel is the least safest way apart from having no hands

Pull push steering is very easy if driver seat position is set correctly and the driver makes use of all the wheel not just part of it

I will probably be wasting my time mentioning these facts to any driver who has a closed mind
 
I don't remember saying those that drive with their hands 10 to 2 where hesitant or defensive? But I do however find those types of driver far more dangerous than anyone who drives with just the one hand.

I find I can drive just fine with my one hand when driving in most situations of course I use two hands for certain matters. I don't push or pull either, don't know anyone who does personally apart from my nan who is the worst driver ever!

I'm not closed minded either? When did I say my way was best and your was rubbish. I think you'll find I didn't just stated how I drive and that those who say they follow the rules follow them to point to avoid looking like a hypocrite.
 
I am as libel as anyone to forget myself and drive one handed. I really try and remind myself to keep two hands on the wheel because it is important. I was really pleased one evening, while driving home along the M20, that I did have a two handed grip. A Polish lorry driver changed lanes and in doing so picked my little jimny up on his front bumper, pushed me along at 70 for over 150M. He then noticed I was there and slammed on his brakes, by now I was facing side wards, he stopped I carried on, I was able to maintain some sort of control and steering, keeping my car upright, although I made a real mess on the central barrier.

To be honest I don't really care what the stupid sod was doing, how well he drove while on the phone, he was driving a lorry/van on the phone that is against the law!!! That is that, he needs to be banned!
OP, I am with you and I am glad your child is safe.

I am horrified that so many people think that using a mobile phone without handsfree is ok.
 
Suki the same thing happened to my friend - lorry driver did exactly the same thing but she had to hand break turn to get free as she could feel the lorry trying to mount the car :( they billed her for the central reservation as the lorry driver gave false details and went back to Poland :(
 
I saw the driver of a fire engine - not on call - going around a roundabout as I was waiting to join it and he was one handed on a mobile - I waggled a finger at him and he smiled and mouthed sorry....
 
Fides said:
Suki the same thing happened to my friend - lorry driver did exactly the same thing but she had to hand break turn to get free as she could feel the lorry trying to mount the car :( they billed her for the central reservation as the lorry driver gave false details and went back to Poland :(
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I was sooooooooooo lucky, the guy gave the correct details and insurance sorted it all out. Bought a lovely new saddle with the compensation!!! :)
 
Tiddlypom said:
I find some of the replies to this thread to be quite alarming, and this is one of them. No, in the minute or so that I was observing this horsebox I did not observe any near misses. But how anyone can think that driving a vehicle in a busy, built up area, across a mini roundabout closely followed by a pedestrian crossing, whilst holding a phone clamped to your ear is safe, beggars belief.

Studies have been done showing that using a mobile phone whilst driving, even in hands free mode, seriously affects reaction time.

Very worrying how many people have still not got this message.
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amazing isn't it, wonder how many feel that drink driving is safe really, i mean you can have both hands on the wheel pissed as a newt so surely it's ok?!
 
asmp said:
Next time, lick your finger and 'write' the number plate on your windscreen (unless of course, your windscreen is immaculately clean!). You should be able to read it when you stop.
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Yes, I've done that a few times. Just breath on the glass to reveal your scribbles.
 
minesadouble said:
Neither is it illegal to chat to a passenger whilst driving. The difference between chatting on your phone and chatting to a passenger being that you will, from time to time, make eye contact with your passenger (thereby taking your eyes from the road).
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I think there's a difference between chatting on a phone (whether hands on or off) and chatting to a passenger. The first is potentially more distracting because the person on the other end of the phone is most likely expecting to have your full attention (even if they know you are driving) and you will be drawn to interact on that basis, while a passenger is much more sensitive to your need to direct attention elsewhere because he/she can see you are busy. Also, I suspect it is the case for many people - it is certainly true for me - that when speaking on the phone a part of your mind is concentrated elsewhere because you are imagining/empathising with someone who is not visible to you. Both of these make talking on the phone potentially hazardous, in my opinion.

catroo said:
I do a lot of miles each week and see some shocking driving, mobile phones frequently responsible. You see drivers struggling to stay in their lane, speed is inconsistence, appalling lane discipline and it's all because they are distracted. Some people manage to drive responsibly and talk on the phone but a lot don't.
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Sorry, but I think using a mobile phone while driving is irresponsible behaviour, even if the driver appears to be in full control. Anything that takes attention away from the road ahead (and behind) unnecessarily should be avoided.
 
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