Why oh why do so many GN caravaners hug the centre line on the road leaving well over a metre of usable road to their left hand side?
The scariest thing is having one of them coming toward you with their off side wheels on or over the white line and as they come almost abreast they drift even further over, or even worse start fish tailing.
I hate to think of the number of time they have scared the living crap out of me, it only takes a minor error of judgement and it's all over red rover.
Watch the LH line not the on coming traffic.
brickies said
08:51 PM Dec 18, 2012
My left hand side mirror is set up so I can see where my caravan wheels are sitting in regard to the side of the road
ozi2 said
09:32 PM Dec 18, 2012
Santa wrote:
Why oh why do so many GN caravaners hug the centre line on the road leaving well over a metre of usable road to their left hand side?
The scariest thing is having one of them coming toward you with their off side wheels on or over the white line and as they come almost abreast they drift even further over, or even worse start fish tailing.
I hate to think of the number of time they have scared the living crap out of me, it only takes a minor error of judgement and it's all over red rover.
Watch the LH line not the on coming traffic.
G'day Santa, how true your comments are. Every centimetre closer to that left line the better I feel. Its not just caravanners either. Its so bloody obvious and yet drivers just dont get it!
Happywanderer said
09:43 PM Dec 18, 2012
Happened to me a couple of times on the way down from Echuca to Geelong. I couldn't believe they didn't realise they were over the white line, I had to move right over to the left to avoid them, as they were still coming.
Gerty Dancer said
10:12 PM Dec 18, 2012
Its been said in other threads, but there really aught to be compulsory driver training before anybody gets a license to tow.
Onedodger said
10:38 PM Dec 18, 2012
We have been caravaning for over 30 years and yes their are a few that hug the center line however in my experience they are a minority.
I/We have the vehicle mirrors adjusted so that one can see where the caravan wheels are traveling and use the Caravan mirrors to see behind.
It is fairly easily done if the vehicle has electric mirrors.
I think that in some circumstances those that are near or over the center line are making the mistake of driving their tug where they usually drive when not towing thus the extra width of the van puts then near or over the line.
And yes a towing course would be ideal for these people.
Having been a 4wd instructor I found that some found it difficult to learn where their vehicles wheels actually traveled. IE. vehicle footprint.
Santa said
11:51 PM Dec 18, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Its been said in other threads, but there really aught to be compulsory driver training before anybody gets a license to tow.
No argument from me there, not only training but testing as well.
Santa said
11:55 PM Dec 18, 2012
Onedodger wrote:
We have been caravaning for over 30 years and yes their are a few that hug the center line however in my experience they are a minority.
It only takes one Dodg!
Pam said
04:08 AM Dec 19, 2012
Perhaps they are trying to avoid the rough pot holey edges that a lot of raods have these days.
Oma said
04:30 AM Dec 19, 2012
Hey it is not only caravanners. My ex farmer husband is one of the worst offenders of not keeping right over to the left line marking. I will never forget when our daughter was following us when we were first taking her down to Gatton to Uni. We had passed a vehicle & then he told her that it was safe for her to pass as well. Her reply was"DAD IF YOU WOULD MOVE TO THE LEFT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE FOR MYSELF" came back over the UHF. I will not let him forget that but still manages to creep to the centre line. I complain & get asked if I want to drive. Would be happy to do that but then I would not be able to take photos as driving, he has a lighter foot than I & therefore gets better economy.
Nomad246 said
04:53 AM Dec 19, 2012
Agreed, but it's not just caravanners. A lot appear to forget the keep left rule.
Gerty, there should be an endorsement on the licence to tow anything over a 750kg trailer, as you say after "compulsory driver training"
I'm all for improving driver skills (for all ages) that make the roads safer.
Cheers
jetj said
05:15 AM Dec 19, 2012
I have a friend who hugs the left side of the road and goes over the little markers giving you a constant thump. Not good on a long trip either.
barrie said
05:33 AM Dec 19, 2012
it's no worse than people in cars hogging the overtaking lanes
Santa said
05:40 AM Dec 19, 2012
I guess if you cant see the problem then your probably part of it.
Boothie said
05:59 AM Dec 19, 2012
I have actually found that the worst offenders, and, yes I know I am openning a big can of worms and will get canned for saying it, are the truck drivers. I shudder everytime I see a B double coming towards me on a country road and try to keep two cigarette papers between and the gravel! Having had to travel 200km to Melbourne, on the Hume, every month for my wife to get oncology treatment, I have seen some Centre line huggers, been guilty of it myself and will be in the future, particularly when the first hour to hour and a half yawns set in, always pull over, but to see b doubles kiss on the centre line scares the hell out of me! Obviously wakes them up, because they stay away from each other after that!
Baz421 said
07:59 PM Dec 19, 2012
Santa wrote:
I guess if you cant see the problem then your probably part of it.
I think you have hit it on the head, however we have not seen it as much as others allude to, luck I guess. Overtakin lane caravanners are my biggest bugbear,,,, they accellerate in dual lane, why not the opposite and let others pass.
From experience I think the truckie comment was not common, on many roads they don't have more than 300mm either side, and nor do we, so it will be close.
Santa said
02:37 AM Dec 20, 2012
Baz421 wrote:
Overtakin lane caravanners are my biggest bugbear,,,, they accellerate in dual lane, why not the opposite and let others pass.
Buggered if I know, but I agree with you.
Jack Mac said
04:24 AM Dec 20, 2012
When I got my licence over 40 yrs ago there was a rule that "on an unmarked carriageway one should drive as near as practicable to the left hand side of the road" or something similar. I still apply that even on marked roads etc. The extra foot or so of room that I provide for myself by staying as far left as possible, conditions allowing, gives me that bit extra room for the odd lunatic that's coming towards me. Also many large rigs use up the whole of their lane (just the logistics of the size of their rig) and I would prefer to be as far away from them as possible. Also travelling too close to centre lane doesn't give much chance if you blow a tyre at high speed. I just try to put as many things in my favour as i can.
Just my two bob's worth.
Cheers,
Jack
ibbo said
04:43 AM Dec 20, 2012
Pam wrote:
Perhaps they are trying to avoid the rough pot holey edges that a lot of raods have these days.
You have hit the nail on the head Pam.Why else would you move to the center of the roads.
Santa said
05:36 AM Dec 20, 2012
ibbo wrote:
Pam wrote:
Perhaps they are trying to avoid the rough pot holey edges that a lot of raods have these days.
You have hit the nail on the head Pam.Why else would you move to the center of the roads.
So is a head on with another vehicle preferable to hitting a pot hole?
Nomad246 said
06:02 AM Dec 20, 2012
Santa,
you've failed to announce the most important point. By missing the potholes on their side of the road they expect that they get right of way on the other side of the road. A little problem shift of nmp,, the oncoming traffic gets to deal with it and fix the problem or have a collision.
Discourteous, unsafe, belligerant, unskilled, illegal,, all of the above, but the most obvisious thing is f*** you jack I'll do what I want and you can deal with it.
Driving to the conditions? ,,, not at all
My preference is to keep travellers safe, but ,, hard job with the road users that "own the road" and expect other users to compensate for their unsafe driving.
Cheers
and let's keep it safe out there
Santa said
06:12 AM Dec 20, 2012
Nomad246 wrote:
Santa,
you've failed to announce the most important point. By missing the potholes on their side of the road they expect that they get right of way on the other side of the road. A little problem shift of nmp,, the oncoming traffic gets to deal with it and fix the problem or have a collision.
Discourteous, unsafe, belligerant, unskilled, illegal,, all of the above, but the most obvisious thing is f*** you jack I'll do what I want and you can deal with it.
Driving to the conditions? ,,, not at all
My preference is to keep travellers safe, but ,, hard job with the road users that "own the road" and expect other users to compensate for their unsafe driving.
Cheers
and let's keep it safe out there
Well said Nomad, my thoughts exactly, I was trying not to be too direct for fear of offending someone, some times you have to say exactly what you mean to get the message through, even then some will attempt to justify or rationalise their on road behaviour, others simply won't get it.
Nomad246 said
06:39 AM Dec 20, 2012
Santa ,,, unfortunately the facts get in the way of a good story most times.
Tell it like it is is my motto, don't mislead, and you'll often be ridiculed and subjected to torment for doing that.
Fact is road users have no excuse to do the wrong thing,,,, let's all drive on our own side of the road away from the centre line.
Cheers
hako said
07:05 AM Dec 20, 2012
The biggest problem I've seen regarding hugging the centre line is that on a sweeping corner when you have no real idea just how close the oncoming car/van is to the centre line....add to that their side mirrors sticking 2 foot over the unbroken line.
ibbo said
02:27 PM Dec 20, 2012
Santa wrote:
ibbo wrote:
Pam wrote:
Perhaps they are trying to avoid the rough pot holey edges that a lot of raods have these days.
You have hit the nail on the head Pam.Why else would you move to the center of the roads.
Only a thick head would move to the centre if another vehicle was coming towards you.
So is a head on with another vehicle preferable to hitting a pot hole?
jack biggles said
08:53 PM Dec 20, 2012
I prefer the roads with no line markings on them, actually better still the roads with no bitumen on them & i drive all over the shop too.....move over, im comin thru
seriously those highways are scarey places
03_troopy said
03:16 AM Dec 21, 2012
Jack Mac wrote:
When I got my licence over 40 yrs ago there was a rule that "on an unmarked carriageway one should drive as near as practicable to the left hand side of the road" or something similar. I still apply that even on marked roads etc. The extra foot or so of room that I provide for myself by staying as far left as possible, conditions allowing, gives me that bit extra room for the odd lunatic that's coming towards me. Also many large rigs use up the whole of their lane (just the logistics of the size of their rig) and I would prefer to be as far away from them as possible. Also travelling too close to centre lane doesn't give much chance if you blow a tyre at high speed. I just try to put as many things in my favour as i can.
Just my two bob's worth.
Cheers,
Jack
I do remember the same thing Jack, even on marked carriageways. I remember the driving instructor (yes i went to one and if you'd seen how my dad drove you'd understand why) always reminding me to "keep as near to the left as you are able to" I think he did that while he had a bit of a nap too.. Another thing I hate is drivers that pull off onto the gravel at every approaching car and shower you with stones. Even where there is ample room for both to pass safely, it's as though they are scared by the oncomming traffic. And it's not a case of following the preceding car too close, as you need to double your 3 second rule every time a car approaches from the opposite direction.
Harr0 said
05:10 AM Dec 22, 2012
Well i'd say fix your seat so you can see over the wheel ,stop chatting on the phone, and keep left ,ive been travelled Australia for 40 years and vans keep poping over my side. just saying but left is good in my book.
Sue - Steve Gazel said
07:41 AM Dec 23, 2012
Centre line huggers yes and lets have our selves a convoy, I also hate it when you see a van with 20 cars in tow, yes slow going up the hill and then flat out over the other side, all you need to do is slow down at the top of the hill pull over a little and let them pass. It's not that hard, just think if it was you behind. We make it a rule if there are more than 3 cars behind and there been there more than 5 minutes we slow up and move to the left as safe as possible and let them pass, easy. You get a wave of thanks, not the one finger salute.
Regards
S & S
Happywanderer said
05:53 PM Dec 23, 2012
Coming back to Echuca from Geelong on Friday just north of Anakie on those winding hills I was following a semi when another one came in the opposite direction on a sweeping bend. I thought Wow that was close and immediately I heard on my UHF one of the truckies having a go at the other about keeping to your side of the road and finishing with You're a ****** idiot.
Why oh why do so many GN caravaners hug the centre line on the road leaving well over a metre of usable road to their left hand side?
The scariest thing is having one of them coming toward you with their off side wheels on or over the white line and as they come almost abreast they drift even further over, or even worse start fish tailing.
I hate to think of the number of time they have scared the living crap out of me, it only takes a minor error of judgement and it's all over red rover.
Watch the LH line not the on coming traffic.
G'day Santa, how true your comments are. Every centimetre closer to that left line the better I feel. Its not just caravanners either. Its so bloody obvious and yet drivers just dont get it!
We have been caravaning for over 30 years and yes their are a few that hug the center line however in my experience they are a minority.
I/We have the vehicle mirrors adjusted so that one can see where the caravan wheels are traveling and use the Caravan mirrors to see behind.
It is fairly easily done if the vehicle has electric mirrors.
I think that in some circumstances those that are near or over the center line are making the mistake of driving their tug where they usually drive when not towing thus the extra width of the van puts then near or over the line.
And yes a towing course would be ideal for these people.
Having been a 4wd instructor I found that some found it difficult to learn where their vehicles wheels actually traveled. IE. vehicle footprint.
No argument from me there, not only training but testing as well.
It only takes one Dodg!
Agreed, but it's not just caravanners. A lot appear to forget the keep left rule.
Gerty, there should be an endorsement on the licence to tow anything over a 750kg trailer, as you say after "compulsory driver training"
I'm all for improving driver skills (for all ages) that make the roads safer.
Cheers
I have a friend who hugs the left side of the road and goes over the little markers giving you a constant thump. Not good on a long trip either.
I guess if you cant see the problem then your probably part of it.
I have actually found that the worst offenders, and, yes I know I am openning a big can of worms and will get canned for saying it, are the truck drivers. I shudder everytime I see a B double coming towards me on a country road and try to keep two cigarette papers between and the gravel! Having had to travel 200km to Melbourne, on the Hume, every month for my wife to get oncology treatment, I have seen some Centre line huggers, been guilty of it myself and will be in the future, particularly when the first hour to hour and a half yawns set in, always pull over, but to see b doubles kiss on the centre line scares the hell out of me! Obviously wakes them up, because they stay away from each other after that!
I think you have hit it on the head, however we have not seen it as much as others allude to, luck I guess. Overtakin lane caravanners are my biggest bugbear,,,, they accellerate in dual lane, why not the opposite and let others pass.
From experience I think the truckie comment was not common, on many roads they don't have more than 300mm either side, and nor do we, so it will be close.
Buggered if I know, but I agree with you.
When I got my licence over 40 yrs ago there was a rule that "on an unmarked carriageway one should drive as near as practicable to the left hand side of the road" or something similar. I still apply that even on marked roads etc. The extra foot or so of room that I provide for myself by staying as far left as possible, conditions allowing, gives me that bit extra room for the odd lunatic that's coming towards me. Also many large rigs use up the whole of their lane (just the logistics of the size of their rig) and I would prefer to be as far away from them as possible. Also travelling too close to centre lane doesn't give much chance if you blow a tyre at high speed. I just try to put as many things in my favour as i can.
Just my two bob's worth.
Cheers,
Jack
So is a head on with another vehicle preferable to hitting a pot hole?
Santa,
you've failed to announce the most important point. By missing the potholes on their side of the road they expect that they get right of way on the other side of the road. A little problem shift of nmp,, the oncoming traffic gets to deal with it and fix the problem or have a collision.
Discourteous, unsafe, belligerant, unskilled, illegal,, all of the above, but the most obvisious thing is f*** you jack I'll do what I want and you can deal with it.
Driving to the conditions? ,,, not at all
My preference is to keep travellers safe, but ,, hard job with the road users that "own the road" and expect other users to compensate for their unsafe driving.
Cheers
and let's keep it safe out there
Well said Nomad, my thoughts exactly, I was trying not to be too direct for fear of offending someone, some times you have to say exactly what you mean to get the message through, even then some will attempt to justify or rationalise their on road behaviour, others simply won't get it.
Santa ,,, unfortunately the facts get in the way of a good story most times.
Tell it like it is is my motto, don't mislead, and you'll often be ridiculed and subjected to torment for doing that.
Fact is road users have no excuse to do the wrong thing,,,, let's all drive on our own side of the road away from the centre line.
Cheers
I do remember the same thing Jack, even on marked carriageways. I remember the driving instructor (yes i went to one and if you'd seen how my dad drove you'd understand why) always reminding me to "keep as near to the left as you are able to" I think he did that while he had a bit of a nap too.. Another thing I hate is drivers that pull off onto the gravel at every approaching car and shower you with stones. Even where there is ample room for both to pass safely, it's as though they are scared by the oncomming traffic. And it's not a case of following the preceding car too close, as you need to double your 3 second rule every time a car approaches from the opposite direction.
Centre line huggers yes and lets have our selves a convoy, I also hate it when you see a van with 20 cars in tow, yes slow going up the hill and then flat out over the other side, all you need to do is slow down at the top of the hill pull over a little and let them pass. It's not that hard, just think if it was you behind. We make it a rule if there are more than 3 cars behind and there been there more than 5 minutes we slow up and move to the left as safe as possible and let them pass, easy. You get a wave of thanks, not the one finger salute.
Regards
S & S
I thought Wow that was close and immediately I heard on my UHF one of the truckies having a go at the other about keeping to your side of the road and finishing with You're a ****** idiot.