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forum
Drivers and their problems
A new catch-all Tea Shop thread for those miscellaneous new stories that don't quite fit with parking, crashing into buildings or trapped/prisoners in their homes.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- alchemilla 1 sec ago
Never understood why a cyclist would stop when they see a warden approaching. Just keep going....
- diggler 5 min 3 sec ago
The BBC wasn't always anti cycling https://youtu.be/_VB7O8OgLwY?si=Lvpbkl0bjRWBo7ov
- quiff 46 min 30 sec ago
"However, plans for the new velodrome have fallen through, the site now earmarked for a new golf attraction, according to the BBC."...
- Rendel Harris 1 hour 4 min ago
That's the real kicker, it's only in northern France, I'm sure the riders, their teams, friends and family or a combination thereof would be happy...
- Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells 3 hours 46 min ago
"Back in the day" of real policing, yes - operation names were randomly selected, often alphabetically; however, sadly that was pre-virtue...
- brooksby 3 hours 49 min ago
North Somerset council has introduced paid parking in various car parks around the region which were formerly free. Cue howls of outrage from the...
- Midgex 5 hours 33 min ago
That's a big strong helmet that would prevent fatal chest injuries from, I suspect, a wheel of a PSV driving over the casualty.
- andystow 5 hours 48 min ago
With the Sprintech, I add a thin cord to the mirror part, thread it through the socket and tie it off inside the bar, with a few inches of slack....
- Les Ed 6 hours 17 min ago
Hi Guys. Thanks to everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed playing since 2011 despite never having any major success. ...
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4197 comments
Drivers and their problems
Ashford residents demand action after another crash on A2042, Elwick Road and Station Approach four-way junction
“So the reason for the level of accidents at the site is because people think they can clear the junction, but because all the sets of traffic lights are so closely together they are mistaken and traffic ends up being stranded in the middle of the junction.
“People also get impatient which causes the problem at that site."
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/it-s-a-serious-issue-residents...
Stormzy given ban for using mobile phone while driving
I think this is a question best for this forum. I have just looked up the Highway Code and can't answer my question there, since it is typically vague on rural road culture.
I am from Exmoor on the Somerset/Devon border. Typically roads are single track with passing places. Generally, whichever road user is nearest a passing place will pull in, reversing if necessary (even if going uphill, although obviously the uphill driver has priority if there isn't a handy spot). I adopt the same rules when cycling and will also pull into a passing spot to let anything faster overtake (for courtesy as well as being much more pleasant than being followed).
However, a cyclist coming the opposite direction (I happened to be driving today) declined to use the passing space right beside him and didn't slow down or make any attempt to share the road. For safety I just stopped completely, but is this now becoming a more usual practice in other parts of the country with single track road? Obviously the highway code provides cyclists with a priority, but I don't see that this displaces the obligation to share the road (eg Highway Code no 155, on using passing places) in the normal way?
Perhaps he is more used to cycling in towns and was unused to rural roads so I'd be interest to hear from others in rural areas - perhaps more education is needed?
~~~~~~~~~
Cyclist 40+ years:
80% cycling / 20% driving
50% rural / 50% urban
60% UK / 40% elsewhere
Joey Baptiste pleads guilty over Ferrari crash in Norwich
Baptiste, 41, from Catkin Close, Cringleford, had previously denied driving without due care and attention, claiming the car had suffered a "mechanical failure".
But he changed his plea to guilty yesterday, with his lawyer telling the court the Baptiste had "lost communication" with Mr Mendham (the vehicle's owner who let JB drive as he was "unwell") , so the vehicle could not be tested. She said that moments before the crash Baptiste had accidentally hit the accelerator when trying to break [sic].
She added that "witnesses think that he was speeding because the car has a loud engine," before her client whispered it was a "4.7 V8 litre engine".
Miss Buck said that Baptiste had received four points on his driving licence for an unrelated speeding incident which happened since the Ferrari crash. The magistrates in Yarmouth indicated they intended to issue him with at least another seven points for the Rose Lane smash.
Before they sentenced him, Miss Buck requested an "exceptional hardship application" be lodged, claiming that Baptiste required his full driving licence to do his job as a ground worker. She added that he has a son who lives in Fakenham and requires his driving licence to pick him up at the weekends.
As he left court after the hearing, Baptiste unleashed an expletive-filled tirade at our reporter, who asked if he wished to comment on the case.
Baptiste said he would throw him and his telephone into the nearby river if he took a photo of him. Court security guards came out of the building to soothe tempers and Baptiste was ushered back into the building by the guards and his solicitor.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24831593.joey-baptiste-pleads-guilty-ferrar...
Cornwall planning: Desperate race against time to fight 'predatory' parking proposal at beach beauty spot
A planning inspector has overturned Cornwall Council's refusal of a hated car park plan and now angry residents need serious help
So if I've got this right, it's OK to park a load of cars ("The site falls within the Cornwall National Landscape, the Heritage Coast and part of the northern boundary of the car park is formed by the two Grade II listed lime kiln structures") erect a crappy home made sign, but not to have a camera on a pole because it "would represent alien and visually intrusive man-made features which would fail to conserve or enhance the landscape character and scenic beauty"?
Those who are against the parking equipment being installed are now in a fight against time to oppose the appeal approval in the High Court.
"Do we have any philanthropic friends who would like to leave a legacy of keeping this part of the world unspoilt, friendly and accessible to the community? We have identified a barrister but are unable to take things further without financial support."
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-planning-desper...
How much are Canterbury car parks? ANPR is all fine and dandy but a pain for late night pick-ups by parents
Dad's taxi getting himself tied up in knots over paying £2 to park.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/opinion/anpr-forces-you-onto-double-ye...
A rat ate my £50k Range Rover...
Lots of snow and ice on the roads today - make sure you've got the right vehicle for the job if heading out...
Braintree assistance dog 'scared' after being hit by car
hit and run on a zebra crossing now assistance dog doesn't want to go out
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24829371.braintree-assistance-dog-sc...
War memorial damaged in village collision
Another war memorial, without hi-viz or a helmet, getting in the way of a hardworking, tax paying, otherwise law-abiding motorist
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c938zv1gxl4o
London is Europe’s most congested city, with drivers sat in traffic an average 101 hours last year
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/06/london-is-europes-most-c...
"You have to cross a footpath, then you get into the cycle lane, and because the road is so busy you have to take a sharp turn not to hit oncoming traffic," said Alice Reeve.
yes Alice, it's called "driving carefully".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8xk25x8vlo
one more lane, bro...
Opening date revealed for new Silvertown Tunnel with users of new route and Blackwall Tunnel facing toll charges from Spring
TfL also considered offering a 50% discount for low-income drivers living in 12 east and south-east London boroughs and the City of London – this will also be implemented in Spring.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/kent-drivers-slapped-with-new-tun...
"low income drivers"
How far away can a speed camera catch you going too quick?
RAC road safety spokesperson Pete Williams said: “Although this new long-range camera could be used to enforce illegal mobile phone use or tailgating, it’s primary use will no doubt be to catch speeding drivers, if indeed it becomes more widely used by forces.
“Some drivers will inevitably end up being very surprised when a notice of intended prosecution letter arrives on their doormat when they felt they had managed to slow down enough after spotting a police car in the distance.”
https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24837903.far-away-can-speed-camera-ca...
Interesting article in the Slate (US, obviously):
What Our First Big EV Terror Attack Can Tell Us About Car Safety
Most of the infrastructure that stops drivers from hitting people, buildings, and one another is designed for smaller, lighter vehicles.
https://slate.com/business/2025/01/new-orleans-terrorism-electric-vehicl...
Free parking please !
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8g0l1n53eo
A council is set to charge households about £40 a year to help keep parking free.
Bollington Town Council in Cheshire is going to pay Cheshire East Council to avoid charges being brought in at Pool Bank car park.
Driving is a right embedded in the Maggie Carter (sic)
95mph in a 70 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqlqpe7e7jo
Already with points but only ends up with 11 in total
91-100 gives Disqualify 7 – 28 days OR 4 – 6 points
Footage shows dogs being dragged by the side of car in Darenth Park Avenue, Dartford
However, several people defended the driver, with one person saying: “Nothing wrong here these dogs need lots of exercise.
“They are bred to chase rabbits around a field to protect farmer’s crops from damage so they need to build up their muscles.
“Also let’s not forget greyhound racing has been a sport for many years.”
(Paywall) https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/shocking-footage-shows-dogs-b...
Council raises car park prices by as much as 50p...local councillors go into meltdown as a result.
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/24844806.east-suffolk-parking-fees-plan-spar...
"Around 200 cars" parked up along part of the Peak District have prevented gritting taking place.
Derbyshire County Council said on Saturday morning crews could not get through due to double parking on Rushup Edge and Man Nick, near Edale.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr53n054jl6o
Frustrated Cambridgeshire bus drivers blame congested roads for delays to services
Bus drivers say they are getting increasingly frustrated over the delays
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/frustrated-cambridgeshi...
A learner driver and their instructor who parked on double yellow lines because the student wanted to visit a shop have registered a complete fail - after they were spotted by police and fined.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0jzd09d7jo
Anyone famous?!
'This place is a joke' - Your Royal Stoke parking nightmares
Patients react after Royal Stoke lodges overflow car park plan
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/this-place-joke...
Looks like complaints about car headlights are on the increase.
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/motoring/urgent-investigation...
From the article :
"The safety of individual drivers cannot be at the expense of other road users and pedestrians."
If only that were true.
you can't have a new health centre because cars
East Thanet MP Polly Billington criticises Kent County Council’s objection to new NHS health hub in Broadstairs
Accusing KCC of a “spurious” attempt to block the plans, Ms Billington said: “It beggars belief that KCC is tabling objections to this vital expansion of community health provision on the grounds of traffic congestion and parking when it is the Tory-controlled council that has overseen record cuts to bus services and an abject failure to maintain the quality of local roads.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/council-s-objection-to-7-000-pa...
update - planning permission granted
Drivers and their problems
Couple outraged as personal number plate is deemed 'offensive' by DVLA
The married couple have had the registration plate for almost three decades
Jackie explained: "We still have the receipt, no mention is made of inflation. We are incensed that we are to lose our treasured car registration and it is seriously affecting our mental health."
...the Agency adopts a clear policy of withdrawing potentially offensive registration numbers, either from normal issue or from its sales scheme. Such marks are withdrawn if they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population in this country on the grounds of political, racial, and religious sensitivities, or simply because they are in poor taste.
https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers-fans-banned-numb...
Telegraph readers have a collective meltdown. Is there a max iq to read the telegraph?
“It’s woke transport nonsense run amok.”
Interesting they call for French levels of taxation and motorway roadtolls to provide good roads .
Gridlock across Canterbury as multiple roadworks to take place across city
"Buses are queued up because they couldn't get into the station - the roundabout by the police station was jammed up and the turning by the bridge was blocked up by traffic."
...journeys of less than one mile are now taking drivers 30 minutes to complete.
Since the 3x Spider-Man meme is a given here, I thought the best illustration to post was this 8.15 am grab from Google Maps.
Great timesaver you've got there, guys.
Please crush this killing machine
https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/24863866.tesla-cybertruck-seized-whitef...
And there is no reportedly about its legality in the UK.
Couple furious over £100 parking fine despite paying at Harlyn Bay
They said the 'incompetent' parking enforcement company screwed it up in the first place
The slight new twist here is that the driver seems to have used a bank card to buy the 2h parking ticket, but there was some kind of delay in the £2 payment going through.
The comments seldom disappoint: my favourite is -
"Time to counter attack. [...] Sue for defamation of character. Demand a refund for unused portion of the parking fee."
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/couple-furious-over-100-...
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