I really think that they should reintroduce "the birch" for offences such as littering, not clearing up dog mess and anti-social behaviour. It would be easily administered and swiftly dealt with.

1882Clarets1882 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:39 pm

Middle lane plodders on the motorway. An increasing blight on already conjested roads. Seeing someone trundling along in the central lane, sometimes no cars 500 yards ahead , no cars 500 yards behind, so no over taking due and they'll be completely oblivious to the requirement to be in the nearside lane and avoid everybody else having to go out the outside lane then come back into the middle lane, where they seem to be glued , then the nearside lane "where they bloody should be ! " Which is what I usually shout as I complete the manoeuvre. Extremely annoying.

Rant over.

People in the middle lane who seem oblivious to the fact that someone in the inside lane wants to pull out to overtake a slower moving vehicle. Often the same people that don't like middle lane plodders!

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:43 am

I hate this. It’s even worse on the newer 4 lane Smart Motorways where they sit in the third lane at 65 mph as I pass in the first lane at 70 mph - is that still undertaking? Genuine question as I don’t know how a traffic policeman would see it. I’d probably be the one pulled over for undertaking wouldn’t I…

Unfortunately, yeah I think you would. As for "smart" motorways, from my experience , by their nature they create an environment whereby drivers acting from a safety point of view think, " if a car breaks down in the 1st lane with nowhere to go I could end up swerving out dangerously into the 2nd or 3rd lane to avoid hitting him. So I'd better stay in the 2nd lane to be on the safe side. Thus rendering the 1st lane pretty much an unofficial hard shoulder anyway.

I listened to a guy who was a safety specialist and he said that even in perfect weather conditions and assuming optimum human and system speeds, the minimum response time from a vehicle breaking down and the on-road warning signs being activated is 20 seconds. 20 seconds even in perfect weather is a long time . Travelling at 70 miles an hour 20 seconds can be and has been fatal.

Apologies for getting all serious! Anyway, imagine the drive from Lancashire to Ipswich today. How many middle lane plodders would you have had to roll your eyes at !? Not worth the grief ! Lol

Is brown sauce simply branston pickle without the lumps?

If parents were annoyed at you crying, why would they give you something to cry for if you didn't stop?

1882Clarets1882 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:56 pm

I do the same while saying ," if you can't be arsed coming into this lane, then I can't be arsed going all the way out there to simply come back to where I started from. Nob".

Which puts both you and Nonaynever near the of my hate list.....

Surely the worst of the lot are people who sit in the right hand lane.

keith1879 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:15 pm

Which puts both you and Nonaynever near the of my hate list.....

Surely the worst of the lot are people who sit in the right hand lane.

I'd find out if he owns a Ferrari or a Porsche or something similar first before adding anybody to any list, because If you can't match it it doesn't matter where he sits it's unlikely you are overtaking him in any lane.

keith1879 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:15 pm

Which puts both you and Nonaynever near the of my hate list.....

Surely the worst of the lot are people who sit in the right hand lane.

Steady on Keith "hate" is a bit harsh isn't it old boy !? I know it's wrong , I do , but I'll only do it when the middle lane plodder is doing it in the middle of a traffic oasis so to speak. With no other cars front or rear for a good few hundred yards. Sometimes I've gone all the way out to the outside lane then back again to the nearside with no other cars in front of me for sometime half a mile , but sometimes their oblivious to where they should be and the penny still doesn't drop.

People in the outside lane would need to spend far less time there if other drivers had better lane discipline and remembered that unless you're overtaking you should be in the nearside lane.

Correct me if im wrong but aren't many of the autobahns in Germany just 2 lanes and they manage to have no speed limit. Something we can only dream of here.

Love you ! X

1882Clarets1882 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 28, 2023 10:45 am

Unfortunately, yeah I think you would. As for "smart" motorways, from my experience , by their nature they create an environment whereby drivers acting from a safety point of view think, " if a car breaks down in the 1st lane with nowhere to go I could end up swerving out dangerously into the 2nd or 3rd lane to avoid hitting him. So I'd better stay in the 2nd lane to be on the safe side. Thus rendering the 1st lane pretty much an unofficial hard shoulder anyway.

I listened to a guy who was a safety specialist and he said that even in perfect weather conditions and assuming optimum human and system speeds, the minimum response time from a vehicle breaking down and the on-road warning signs being activated is 20 seconds. 20 seconds even in perfect weather is a long time . Travelling at 70 miles an hour 20 seconds can be and has been fatal.

Apologies for getting all serious! Anyway, imagine the drive from Lancashire to Ipswich today. How many middle lane plodders would you have had to roll your eyes at !? Not worth the grief ! Lol

Smart motorways-speed limits implemented when there is congestion. Would also add, a car in trouble would not just come to a sudden stop 30/40 m ahead of you, so it gives following drivers( if they are truly paying attention) plenty of time to take evasive action. It’s more than likely some ‘fairyhead’in the same lane following traffic not paying attention that is the problem. Fortunately nowerdays, I have no daily need of using a motorway or getting to work/ meeting by a certain time .

atlantalad wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:06 pm

Smart motorways-speed limits implemented when there is congestion. Would also add, a car in trouble would not just come to a sudden stop 30/40 m ahead of you, so it gives following drivers( if they are truly paying attention) plenty of time to take evasive action. It’s more than likely some ‘fairyhead’in the same lane following traffic not paying attention that is the problem. Fortunately nowerdays, I have no daily need of using a motorway or getting to work/ meeting by a certain time .

Good morning Atlantalad, hope you're well. I take your point about a car " not coming to a sudden stop" on board. However, I witnessed a situation where a car had broken down in the first lane. Two cars were approaching from a corner so could only see it late. They'd only just entered the motorway from the last entry slip so were unaware of it. The first car left it relatively late to move to the second lane to safety. He managed it by a car in the 2nd lane breaking to allow him in. Unfortunately the 2nd car in the 1st lane then had nowhere to go as the 2nd lane, to his right , was full of cars . He was forced to remain in the 1st lane slam his breaks on , and only just managed to avoid a serious collision by the skin of his teeth. Crazy and very scary.

Why were Ford Cortinas always purple and Escorts yellow?

Whilst on a motoring theme.
Does anybody else keep an eye on their mpg?
I noticed during covid my mpg average dropped from 55 to about 48. I haven’t changed my driving style at all and we make the same trips most weeks. We changed the car recently for the same model but, supposedly, with a better engine and it is still around 48. The conspiracy theorist in me is thinking they have reduced the additives they put in the petrol and it is not as good.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:26 pm

Why do some people take so long to set off when the traffic lights turn green?
Don't they care that other people behind them want to get through the lights before they turn red again?

Well if you would all just be a little more progressive and get yourselves an electric car, this would not be as a big a problem. Much quicker off the line!

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:02 pm

Why were Ford Cortinas always purple and Escorts yellow?

Yeah you're right my 1967 Mk2 Cortina was Purple (it was a complete and utter shed ) ... never had an Escort though ...

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:44 am

Whilst on a motoring theme.
Does anybody else keep an eye on their mpg?
I noticed during covid my mpg average dropped from 55 to about 48. I haven’t changed my driving style at all and we make the same trips most weeks. We changed the car recently for the same model but, supposedly, with a better engine and it is still around 48. The conspiracy theorist in me is thinking they have reduced the additives they put in the petrol and it is not as good.

Bloody hell that’s good, I’ve never had more than 35 mpg in any car! Currently averaging 29!

Nonayforever wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:03 pm

It's certainly one of my pet hates as well. On a side note, since Corvid, I have seen many, many instances of drivers double parking outside shops on busy roads showing complete disregard for the chaos caused to their fellow drivers.

Is Corvid the strain they had in Huddersfield?

Don’t you hate it when you’ve been sat in your car in a long queue for ages at some badly sequenced temporary traffic lights.
Inching forward then stopping as the daydreaming drivers in front of you wake up and finally move a few feet before the lights go red again…….Then some prick on a motorcycle filters down the outside of the whole queue right to the front, then even before he gets chance to stop, the light goes green and he’s off through the lights, having barely been inconvenienced or delayed?
That prick on the motorcycle was me!

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:42 pm

I know it's illegal, but I undertake, sound my horn and hold my hand up in dispare at the bstrds.

I don't like to be a pedant, but I don't believe this is actually illegal - at least according to the highway code. Moving from a right hand lane to intentionally undertake on the left is illegal. Undertaking at a safe speed from the left lane (where necessary) is legal.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/undertaking

That said, I do the same as you. Or I'll give a quick headlight flash from the middle lane to "remind" them to move over to the left. Half the time they ignore you.

enduroclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:19 am

Don’t you hate it when you’ve been sat in your car in a long queue for ages at some badly sequenced temporary traffic lights.
Inching forward then stopping as the daydreaming drivers in front of you wake up and finally move a few feet before the lights go red again…….Then some prick on a motorcycle filters down the outside of the whole queue right to the front, then even before he gets chance to stop, the light goes green and he’s off through the lights, having barely been inconvenienced or delayed?
That prick on the motorcycle was me!

Or me.

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:44 am

Whilst on a motoring theme.
Does anybody else keep an eye on their mpg?
I noticed during covid my mpg average dropped from 55 to about 48. I haven’t changed my driving style at all and we make the same trips most weeks. We changed the car recently for the same model but, supposedly, with a better engine and it is still around 48. The conspiracy theorist in me is thinking they have reduced the additives they put in the petrol and it is not as good.

Many people have experienced exactly the same as you Trevor. It coincides with the increase of ethanol that was added about a year / 18 months ago to e10 unleaded fuel. My partners Ford mpg dropped quite a lot around then and following a recommendation from a friend we switched to the higher octane e5 unleaded that has less ethanol in . It costs more per litre but I reckon it works out better value on a full tank. After switching the car felt more responsive too.

I’d recommend using higher octane fuel on petrol engined small plant…..cement mixers, strimmers, lawnmowers, chainsaws etc….
These are things you don’t use everyday, or perhaps not at all during winter. I’m pretty sure the higher octane stuff doesn’t degrade as badly as the stuff with more ethanol. So there’s more chance you won’t gum-up carburettors etc…if you use the good stuff.
If I know I’m not going to use a petrol engined bit of kit for a month or so, I switch off the fuel whilst the engine is running and let it run out and then stall.
Then I turn off the fuel cock, then store it. Hopefully there’s not much fuel left to clog up the carb or lines, so starting it should be easier in a few months.

Marney&Mee wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:15 am

Is Corvid the strain they had in Huddersfield?

It’s bird flu but only crows get it

The shortage of foam must have eased my suite has turned up.

And yesterday I marvelled at a bloke building a dry stone wall ...that's a proper skill...none of that mortar stuff,just like making a jigsaw

cbx750 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:26 am

Or me.

Used to be me too

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:19 am

The shortage of foam must have eased my suite has turned up.

Bout bloody time too

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:24 am

Bout bloody time too

It came before Christmas but we had to send it back there was no foam in it,uncomfortable as F**k it was.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:26 am

It came before Christmas but we had to send it back there was no foam in it,uncomfortable as F**k it was.

Bloody hell

claret2018 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:09 am

Bloody hell that’s good, I’ve never had more than 35 mpg in any car! Currently averaging 29!

You possibly do a lot more urban driving than me. Living rural lots of long straight roads helps.

A few years ago on a lunchbreak at work we were discussing the rising cost of petrol. I think it was around the time a litre had got to a quid. One of the lads , who was a Fools and Horses Trigger type character, came out with this room silencing line.

Shrugging his shoulders "I don't know what all the fuss is about , it's not costing me anymore. I just always put a tenners worth in......"

1968claret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 8:45 am

Well if you would all just be a little more progressive and get yourselves an electric car..

Much quicker off the line!

That's the best bit! You are out from the traffic lights and away, as the others are just grunting off the line and yet still in the speed limit!

1882Clarets1882 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:33 am

Many people have experienced exactly the same as you Trevor. It coincides with the increase of ethanol that was added about a year / 18 months ago to e10 unleaded fuel. My partners Ford mpg dropped quite a lot around then and following a recommendation from a friend we switched to the higher octane e5 unleaded that has less ethanol in . It costs more per litre but I reckon it works out better value on a full tank. After switching the car felt more responsive too.

I'm going to try this, as I have experienced the same thing. I could deliberately drive economically and average around 52mpg going to Burnley, it's down to 46mpg now, no matter how hard I try.
I'll see if it works first, and if it does, I'll try and work out the economy of switching.

Is the increase of ethanol a green measure, or just a way for the petrol companies to make more money?

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:33 pm

I'm going to try this, as I have experienced the same thing. I could deliberately drive economically and average around 52mpg going to Burnley, it's down to 46mpg now, no matter how hard I try.
I'll see if it works first, and if it does, I'll try and work out the economy of switching.

Is the increase of ethanol a green measure, or just a way for the petrol companies to make more money?

I believe its a green measure but wouldn't be surprised if its also a way for petrol companies to make a few quid while their at it at would you !?

It'll be interesting to see how you go on after a couple of tanks full of e5. I know a few guys with expensive or classic cars and they only fill up with e5.

There is an issue that I think the increased ethanol effects the fuel lines of some cars ( older models I think). There is some kind of warning at the pump , something like "suitable for most vehicles please check first " or summat like that.

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:33 pm

I'm going to try this, as I have experienced the same thing. I could deliberately drive economically and average around 52mpg going to Burnley, it's down to 46mpg now, no matter how hard I try.
I'll see if it works first, and if it does, I'll try and work out the economy of switching.

Is the increase of ethanol a green measure, or just a way for the petrol companies to make more money?

Squirt some Redex in with the fuel.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:42 pm

I know it's illegal, but I undertake, sound my horn and hold my hand up in dispare at the bstrds.

I've noticed over many years when I return to the UK that the driving has got really bad or far worse than it was, I also undertake but often I don't think of it as illegal as we can undertake in the states. While Texas driving is really bad I do think the states have some good rules, being able to turn right on red does help traffic move along better, no overtaking a school bus when it stops is another.

And just to be clear to another person women talking in the car is an absolute must and getting a move on is secondary, but this comes naturally, it's instinctive that the destination is not as important as the conversation/drive!

At the ckeckout behind someone who seems surprised that they are expected to pay for their purchase, so running through their pockets, handbags and anything else to find their money/cards.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:39 pm

Why are sugar puffs the only food that makes your wee smell the same as what you ate?

Try Asparagus!

Reading all of the above........you all need to set off 10 mins earlier.
I'm exactly the same, but the anxiety caused by setting off late isn't worth it. RELAX.
The ones "in your way" are the relaxed ones (10 mins early) wondering who the lunatic behind them is........it's taken me years to accept that the problem is me.

1968claret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 8:45 am

Well if you would all just be a little more progressive and get yourselves an electric car, this would not be as a big a problem. Much quicker off the line!

If I could direct you to this post from 2016.
http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... 7&sr=posts
Been fully electric since 2015

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:55 pm

If I could direct you to this post from 2016.
http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... 7&sr=posts
Been fully electric since 2015

Was supposed to direct you to a post about my 1st Nissan Leaf. Bought 2015 and had a new one every 3 years.

Bumped

Last 2 fills I've used the E5.

First tank full I didn't notice much difference.

Second tank full just went to Blackpool and back. 50.5mpg going, 51.3 mpg coming home. It's the best I've had in 2 years, been struggling to get to 46/47 using the E10.

If you haven't tried it yet, you should.

Taxi drivers are dangerous

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:30 pm

Reading all of the above........you all need to set off 10 mins earlier.
I'm exactly the same, but the anxiety caused by setting off late isn't worth it. RELAX.
The ones "in your way" are the relaxed ones (10 mins early) wondering who the lunatic behind them is........it's taken me years to accept that the problem is me.

I don't think it quite works like that. If..... everyone set off 10 mins earlier in the belief they had 10 minutes extra a lot would simply dawdle hence you'd have a lot more drivers slowing down traffic. My commute to work was restrict to very busy, single lane A roads ( i.e Burnley -Halifax route) and my stress levels would increase significantly at being stuck behind 70/80 year old drivers doing 25 mph in a 40 zone - presumably on their way to the supermarket in the early morning rush hour.

"Everyone" won't & never will set off 10 mins earlier....it's just a choice someone can make to reduce their stress. Older people pay their road tax & are as entitled to use the road as people who set off last minute to work.

claptrappers_union wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 05, 2023 1:38 pm

Taxi drivers are dangerous

I didn’t know until recently that taxi drivers aren’t legally required to wear a seatbelt.

claret2018 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:09 pm

I didn’t know until recently that taxi drivers aren’t legally required to wear a seatbelt.

Only when they have passengers in the car, any other time they have to wear it.

claret2018 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:09 pm

I didn’t know until recently that taxi drivers aren’t legally required to wear a seatbelt.

Prevents them being strangled with the seatbelt by a potential thief

enduroclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:19 am

Don’t you hate it when you’ve been sat in your car in a long queue for ages at some badly sequenced temporary traffic lights.
Inching forward then stopping as the daydreaming drivers in front of you wake up and finally move a few feet before the lights go red again…….Then some prick on a motorcycle filters down the outside of the whole queue right to the front, then even before he gets chance to stop, the light goes green and he’s off through the lights, having barely been inconvenienced or delayed?
That prick on the motorcycle was me!

No need to feel like a prick, enduroclaret. You are behaving quite correctly:
https://youtu.be/LOBeOgxDcvM

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:45 pm

Prevents them being strangled with the seatbelt by a potential thief

You can still be strangled without wearing a seatbelt.

It's to be able to protect yourself from any attack (not specifically being strangled), or escape the car quickly in the event.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 09, 2023 8:13 pm

Was supposed to direct you to a post about my 1st Nissan Leaf. Bought 2015 and had a new one every 3 years.

It's an expensive way of being progressive. I bought a second hand Corsa about the same time for £4k and still have it. Though when I think of all those seconds I could have saved at traffic lights ...