I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Fri 18 Jul 2008 12:53
I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........ - L'escargot
......... I could see what was going to happen. A car transporter was stationary at the head of the queue at traffic lights, indicating turning right. The car behind was close up to the transporter. I stopped a good car's length behind the other car, simply because I guessed what would happen. As the transporter started off the car followed closely ~ too closely! Because of the long overhang of the transporter behind it's rear axle (probably a full car's length) as the transporter turned the right-hand rear corner moved backwards. The car driver panicked and sounded his horn but was too slow to reverse and the inevitable contact between the two vehicles occurred. I just hope the car driver learned from the experience. I felt quite smug because I'd seen it all before.
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Fri 18 Jul 2008 12:58
I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........ - BobbyG
Wonder how the insurance would sort that one out - which vehicle "hit" the other?
Yes bad driving and awareness from car driver but if I set off at traffic lights following a vehicle I wouldn't take the blame if it suddenly reversed into me!
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Fri 18 Jul 2008 13:38
I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........ - Saltrampen
The other car must have been within a couple of feet or less from the transporter.
As the transporter was moving forwards, I guess it is the other drivers fault. I am sure it says somewhere in the Highway code to allow Large vehicles extra room at junctions etc.
The only possible fault of the lorry driver would be if the end of his vehicle didn't have hazard markings.
What happened next?

Edited by Saltrampen on 18/07/2008 at 13:38

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Fri 18 Jul 2008 14:05
I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........ - L'escargot
What happened next?


The transporter completed the right turn, with the driver apparently unaware of the contact. The car carried straight on, slowly, with the driver presumably wondering why it had happened.
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 08:17
I know I shouldn't have smiled, but ........ - grumpyscot
The same danger is apparent with skip lorries - those wheel things that extend - and bin lorries too
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