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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.

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4205 comments

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David9694 | 10 months ago
2 likes

Fed-up residents call for road repairs in West Hougham, near Dover, after cars damaged

Another villager, Gerald Viljoen, was upset when his Mercedes E220, which he had only owned for 18 months, was written off in January after getting stuck in a flooded road.

The 59-year-old’s son stalled while trying to get out of deep water in Satmar Lane. The liquid had got into the luxury car’s engine, leaving it irreparably damaged.

Mr Viljoen’s insurance subsequently paid out the car's value so he could buy another one – a second hand BMW X1.

He said: “I was pretty gutted. The BMW is a higher car so I thought it would be more suitable for the roads but you shouldn’t have to think about this when getting a car.

“My wife owns a Porsche which I’m too scared to take out because you can’t avoid some of the potholes and it’s such a low car.”

Resident Nick Abel forked out for new tyres after hitting two potholes.

His wife had to get a new exhaust after her Fiat 500 hit flint which had built up in the middle of Gravel Lane.

Resident of 12 years Sally Herzog ordered a takeaway in February which never arrived after the delivery driver’s car got stuck in water in Satmar Lane. She says flooding is the worst it’s ever been.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/the-roads-are-so-bad-here-my-mum...

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Jogle | 10 months ago
4 likes

Shocking moment motorcyclist catapults into air and off bridge - as BMW driver jailed for nearly five years

Well that driver certainly had a problem!

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/frightening-moment-motorcyclist-catapulted-in...

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pockstone | 10 months ago
1 like

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-68606383

'Another person commented: "No wonder people crash I would be all over here trying to work out where I was."'

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Matthew Acton-Varian | 10 months ago
4 likes
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David9694 | 10 months ago
2 likes

That pesky word "choice" popping up again. 

Fears new parking charges could have 'real impact' on residents and businesses across North Somerset

A seven-week consultation is now underway

Portishead West councillor Nicola Holland said: "The consultation states that the charges will encourage greater use of alternatives to the car - well what choice exactly?

If you live in some parts of my ward, a walk into town can be up to 40 minutes or more and with bus services recently cut from our end of town public transport is non-existent. 

Until there is proper infrastructure people have no alternative but to use the car."

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/fears-new-parking-char...

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brooksby | 10 months ago
1 like

Harrogate police pull over driver with 'more cracks than glass' screen

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-68620646

Avon and Somerset Police catch 81 drivers using phones

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-68618132

Quote:

Police spotted 81 motorists using phones illegally during a two-week operation.

Avon and Somerset Police took part in national campaign Operation Telecom, raising awareness of the dangers of driving while distracted.

The incidents were "significantly higher" than the same period last year, when 49 offences were recorded.

81 seems very low (and 49 is just silly).  Were the police even paying attention?

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Jogle replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
4 likes
Jogle wrote:

Vandals deface village 20mph speed limit signs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4l3m2q63yo.amp

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chrisonabike replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
5 likes

Jogle wrote:

Anger as road signs cut down in Carmarthenshire village Can anyone explain the logic in this?

Quote:

The council reports seven road signs have been illegally cut down around the village in just one week, causing growing fears for road safety due to the increased risk of traffic accidents.

Bloody jobsworth signs telling everyone what to do it's fake news I didn't vote for them.

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chrisonabike replied to chrisonabike | 10 months ago
4 likes

BBC wrote:

An 11-year-old boy was found behind the wheel when police pulled over a BMW X5 towing a suspected stolen caravan on the M1.

Actually this sounds like police bullying, the poor lad apparently was actually extra-keen to obey the law:

BBC wrote:

Police said a selection of vehicle registration plates was found when they searched the vehicle.

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wycombewheeler replied to David9694 | 10 months ago
5 likes

David9694 wrote:

UK motorists could be banned from parking on pavements

"In 2020, the Government consulted on options to tackle pavement parking, yet no progress has been made."

The Department for Transport said: "This highly important issue is complex and involves many conflicting factors. The Government needs to get this right and is carefully considering the issues before deciding the way forward.

Get fucked is it "complex".  Pavement parking is wrong and it needs to stop - now.  It is no more complex than that. 

https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/24175241.uk-motorists-banned-p...

It's complex because the public consultation came down strongly in favour of a ban (I suspect) but the Government is like the bad parent of a toddler and lives in fear of the tantrum iof they try to tell those drivers who currently park on the pavement that they have to stop.

Sadly this will not change following their replacement at the next general election, because all parties are terrified of the drivers' tantrums.

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brooksby replied to Hirsute | 10 months ago
4 likes

Hirsute wrote:

Whilst the mother is milking it to some extent, the comments show the usual motonormativity.

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24177992.little-girl-drenched-van-cl...

I have never yet seen a motorist slow down to approach a puddle/flood in the road. I'm not sure if they've ever heard of "hydroplaning"…

And you're right about the levels of sympathy shown BTL on that article.  Clearly, they think it's her own fault for not being in a car surprise

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hawkinspeter replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
2 likes

Jogle wrote:

Mystery as unattended car left running for eight hours in Asda car park Putting to one side the environmental impact, if the car had been like that for eight hours, was it really a police matter to come and break in to turn it off? https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/mystery-unattended-car-l... It's a mystery, it's a mystery! I thought that Toyah would be more interesting than a photo of a car park

Under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, engine idling is an offence. The Highway Code also has a rule against engine idling. Rule 123 states: “You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

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David9694 replied to Hirsute | 10 months ago
3 likes

Hirsute wrote:

From the live blog

Not in Service

//ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1502B/production/_132895068_guidedbus4.jpg.webp)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68544047

Car clears St Ives 'bus trap' and continues along guided busway

The person who shot the video footage said: "It's a testament to Volvo cars."

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/car-clears-st-ives-bus-...

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essexian replied to David9694 | 10 months ago
1 like

The Welsh roundabout exit which has cost thousands of drivers half a million pounds in just one year

Two reasons why this is a tax on the stupid....firstly, the road signs are clear both on the main approach to the roundabout and on the turn off itself. Anyone not knowing what the signs mean, should not be driving.

And secondly, anyone who eats at McDonalds thinking its food needs to be taxed more to help pay for the damage their poor health choices are doing to the NHS.

Some of the comments BTL.... blimey. And we share the roads with these people. 

Edited to add....just checked Google maps.... the road lay out has been like that since the first photo they took back in...... 2009!  Almost 15 years ago and they still haven't worked out what the signs mean. Really.....? 

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ktache replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
1 like

Party of law'n'order, innit.
Or an example of "over zealous enforcement"

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Bungle_52 replied to David9694 | 10 months ago
3 likes

The answer to more flooding is to buy a bigger car, which has more emssions, which makes climate change worse, which means more flooding, which means buying an even bigger car ........

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Hirsute replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
3 likes

Found this on twitter

"I am the biker in this video. Whilst I am glad that the fucking idiot is in prison I was disgusted that he only got 58 months!!!!! "

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brooksby replied to David9694 | 10 months ago
1 like

Somerset Live wrote:

Portishead East councillor Caritas Charles commented: "Our High Street is in a perilous state as it is with no Post Office, the closure of a chemist and others struggling with the cost of living I can see this having a real impact on local businesses. The proposals also call for charging at Kilkenny Fields and the lake grounds by the cricket club.

The Post Office in Portishead - which is not a small town, by any means - was closed last year.  Anyone now wanting to use a Post Office has to go the nearest one, in Pill, four miles away.  And very few of those people use the bus to do so… 

Avatar
brooksby replied to chrisonabike | 10 months ago
0 likes

chrisonabike wrote:

BBC wrote:

An 11-year-old boy was found behind the wheel when police pulled over a BMW X5 towing a suspected stolen caravan on the M1.

Actually this sounds like police bullying, the poor lad apparently was actually extra-keen to obey the law:

BBC wrote:

Police said a selection of vehicle registration plates was found when they searched the vehicle.

I read that article and realised I do have a particular racial prejudice, because I was so sure that they'd missed out mentioning that the driver was from the GRT community.

(There's absolutely no evidence for that, of course, and I do feel a bit ashamed of myself...)

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Backladder replied to brooksby | 10 months ago
7 likes

brooksby wrote:

 

I have never yet seen a motorist slow down to approach a puddle/flood in the road. I'm not sure if they've ever heard of "hydroplaning"...

Some have not heard of floating either..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3P6d8_Ksbg

Avatar
David9694 replied to wycombewheeler | 10 months ago
5 likes

wycombewheeler wrote:

David9694 wrote:

UK motorists could be banned from parking on pavements

"In 2020, the Government consulted on options to tackle pavement parking, yet no progress has been made."

The Department for Transport said: "This highly important issue is complex and involves many conflicting factors. The Government needs to get this right and is carefully considering the issues before deciding the way forward.

Get fucked is it "complex".  Pavement parking is wrong and it needs to stop - now.  It is no more complex than that. 

https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/24175241.uk-motorists-banned-p...

It's complex because the public consultation came down strongly in favour of a ban (I suspect) but the Government is like the bad parent of a toddler and lives in fear of the tantrum iof they try to tell those drivers who currently park on the pavement that they have to stop.

Sadly this will not change following their replacement at the next general election, because all parties are terrified of the drivers' tantrums.

The longer it's left, the worse the tantrum is going to be. 

Avatar
Jogle replied to hawkinspeter | 10 months ago
0 likes
hawkinspeter wrote:

Jogle wrote:

Mystery as unattended car left running for eight hours in Asda car park Putting to one side the environmental impact, if the car had been like that for eight hours, was it really a police matter to come and break in to turn it off? https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/mystery-unattended-car-l... It's a mystery, it's a mystery! I thought that Toyah would be more interesting than a photo of a car park

Under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, engine idling is an offence. The Highway Code also has a rule against engine idling. Rule 123 states: “You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

Interesting. But as it was in Asda's car park, that wouldn't apply

Avatar
brooksby replied to Bungle_52 | 10 months ago
5 likes

Bungle_52 wrote:

The answer to more flooding is to buy a bigger car, which has more emssions, which makes climate change worse, which means more flooding, which means buying an even bigger car ........

One of these, perhaps?

Avatar
pockstone replied to Hirsute | 10 months ago
2 likes

Is this one of those offences where an unduly lenient sentence can be appealed? Maybe tweet him back? I thought this was pretty bloody lenient, especially when I saw some hapless, likely trafficked bloke get five years for tending a cannabis farm. Not exactly a victimless crime but hardly on the same scale of offending as this nutcase driver.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
2 likes

Jogle wrote:
hawkinspeter wrote:

Jogle wrote:

Mystery as unattended car left running for eight hours in Asda car park Putting to one side the environmental impact, if the car had been like that for eight hours, was it really a police matter to come and break in to turn it off? https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/mystery-unattended-car-l... It's a mystery, it's a mystery! I thought that Toyah would be more interesting than a photo of a car park

Under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, engine idling is an offence. The Highway Code also has a rule against engine idling. Rule 123 states: “You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

Interesting. But as it was in Asda's car park, that wouldn't apply

are you sure? I was under the impression that applied even on your own driveway. There are two statements in that clause

"You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running" [no matter the location]

"or"

"leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road".[even if it is attended]

Avatar
David9694 replied to brooksby | 10 months ago
3 likes

The DUK-W - Historic vehicle - no road tax, no MoT.

Avatar
Jogle replied to wycombewheeler | 10 months ago
0 likes
wycombewheeler wrote:

Jogle wrote:
hawkinspeter wrote:

Jogle wrote:

Mystery as unattended car left running for eight hours in Asda car park Putting to one side the environmental impact, if the car had been like that for eight hours, was it really a police matter to come and break in to turn it off? https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/mystery-unattended-car-l... It's a mystery, it's a mystery! I thought that Toyah would be more interesting than a photo of a car park

Under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, engine idling is an offence. The Highway Code also has a rule against engine idling. Rule 123 states: “You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

Interesting. But as it was in Asda's car park, that wouldn't apply

are you sure? I was under the impression that applied even on your own driveway. There are two statements in that clause

"You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running" [no matter the location]

"or"

"leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road".[even if it is attended]

For some reason a number of websites quote S42, but that doesn't appear to apply https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/42

HC123 says that it comes from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 98 (which is about stopping the engine to stop noise) & 107 (which would apply if the car park is a road, which is then in RTA1988 S192(1)).

I had thought that private land meant that it wouldn't apply but now I'm very confused.

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andystow replied to David9694 | 10 months ago
2 likes

David9694 wrote:

The DUK-W - Historic vehicle - no road tax, no MoT.

What about a Waterways licence?

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hawkinspeter replied to Jogle | 10 months ago
0 likes

Jogle wrote:

For some reason a number of websites quote S42, but that doesn't appear to apply https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/42 HC123 says that it comes from The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 98 (which is about stopping the engine to stop noise) & 107 (which would apply if the car park is a road, which is then in RTA1988 S192(1)). I had thought that private land meant that it wouldn't apply but now I'm very confused.

Yeah, I just copied/pasted that from a cursory search and didn't dig any deeper, but it does appear that you're correct - idling on private land isn't illegal (according to at least a couple of websites).

Avatar
David9694 replied to andystow | 10 months ago
5 likes

Pay wAEter waYs taX

 

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