SHIPPING warning

As someone who resides in the country I wonder if you could remind and warn your other rural readers of the emergence from hibernation of Snakes Head Inconsiderate People (SHIPs). So called because, if you were to take a bird's eye view of their progress, you would find them at the head of a slow moving convoy of vehicles laboriously snaking its way through the countryside. Whilst living in the countryside has its charms, very few of the roads are straight for very long and in many parts of the country, as here, in the Chilterns, they also undulate. Accordingly, whilst they may be wide enough to safely drive at the specified maximum designated speed limit of 60 mph, overtaking opportunities are few. As a consequence, after a few miles behind a SHIP, frustration can build up encouraging drivers in the convoy to take uncharacteristic risks. I trust that you will feel able to pass on this timely warning via your excellent pages. I understand that SHIPs may be closely related to CLOGs who have frequently been mentioned in your columns.

Asked on 11 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
Yes, time for a gentle reminder to SHIPs to use their mirrors at all times and, if they appear to have become the head of a snake, the law actually compels them to pull over and let faster drivers past.
(R.W. had wanted to call them Snakes Head Inconsiderate Twerps, but I turned that down.)
Tags: driving
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