towing a chipper in third lane of motorway

[Gnarlyoak]

Thanks for the lecture mate.

 

Robert.

 

Hi Robert,

 

Ahh. Yes, I can certainly see where you are coming from mate, regrettably I do have an unfortunate habit of coming across as sounding rather pompous and bombastic when trying to make a point. As I'm sure anyone who has worked with me could probably testify. An annoying trait that's dogged me for most of my adult life. Maybe its some sort of Tourettes, like "twatish syndrome" ?

 

So sorry you're also not going to like my most recent post in reply to eagleye's advice. As its in the same vein, so I've a feeling you're gonna feel lectured again. Ooops!

 

Inside my head it sounds like a casual conversation over a brew stood about in a yard somewhere. But then between brain and mouth and hand, it tends to come out as twatish!

 

If I have unintentionally offended you, then I offer you my unreserved apologies, as it was certainly not my intention to do so.

 

All the best,

Rick

[robert t]

:confused1:If you did not think it was a trailer, what did you think it was?????

 

 

A chipper on wheels.

 

Seriously, maybe it wasn't the best way to explain my confusing, it wasn't what I thought it was called. It is the size of the chipper I was towing and the fact the vehicle was under 3.5tonne that made my mind think the normal rules didn't apply and made it ok to overtake in the third lane under the sircomstances.

[robert t]

My apologies if my post sounded overly patronising, but I stand by what I say.

 

The OP was dead wrong in his lame excuse of being ignorant of what the law of lands says on this (towing) issue. And in MHO got of lightly with a fixed penalty. He should have known better, and he should attempt to re-acquaint himself with what he can and cannot do when out driving a large vehicle and towing before he gets himself into more grief which could also have dire unforeseen consequences.

 

You only have to read the current thread here on AT posted by Forest Gough and the unimaginable devastation that his family has recently suffered as the result of a road traffic collision.

 

It not just a work van & chipper the OP is driving for his business, loaded or not it is a potential WMD, a guided missile weighing a few tons. And if the OP does not fully understand what he can or cannot do to operate safely on the public highway then he really shouldn't be there! Period.

 

A fact that even seems to have completely gone over the OP's head, given that he came on here questioning the police officers interpretation of the law and seeking advice as to wether or not he could have the FP overturned in court!

 

Perhaps if the OP had read Forests' post. He might have sat and thought for just a moment about the reasons why you are not allowed to tow in the middle lane. About the consequences if something had gone wrong, and the impact that could have had on him, his family as well as other innocent road users and theirs. If he had then come on to this site and post a heads up warning and acknowledged the error of his ways with a suitably contrite attitude, then I would have been less judgemental.

 

So yeah, my post might have been a bit preachy, over bearing, patronising even. But the OP started this topic feeling unjustly persecuted and treated the law, which he didn't believe existed, as a bit of a joke.

So I'll stand by my stance and continue to stick my neck out.

Thanks though.

 

Stay safe "eagleye", all the best.

 

Oh, and keep one of them eyes on the road ahead mate, loadsa muppets out there everyday who don't know how to drive properly......!

 

When I started the thread I thought I wasn't in the wrong. That's why I came on here looking for advice. Is't that what public forums are for? Maybe wriggling out of it wasn't the best phrase to use, but IF the police had got it wrong as they do sometimes then I wanted to know and also hear of other peoples thoughts.

WMD muppet Really!

 

Robert

[gensetsteve]

Without wishing to fan the flames of this, could someone explain why it is illegal to tow in the third lane? Especially on congested roads or when overtaking two large vehicles taking up the other two lanes.

 

For the record, I was aware that it is illegal before this thread, but have never known why.

 

I dont know what speed trailer tyres are rated at but I would guess its not 70mph for 100's of miles especially when 10 years old and rotten. Its hard enough getting a trailer to the hard shoulder when the tyre has spread itself all over the carriage way. The outside lane is normally full of bmws and white vans doing 90 mph so not a good place for a trailer. I can remember losing a tyre on a long 19ft single axle caravan on the m4 in 80 degree heat. I was middle lane overtaking an arctic and was level with the cab. by the time I had pulled in behind him the wheel was trashed and what was left of the tyre was on fire luckily we were towing with a disco a lighter vehicle and I dont think we would be here.

[renewablejohn]

What I want to know is do these same rules apply on these flexible 4 lane motorways like the M6 in Birmingham where the hard shoulder becomes the inside lane of the motorway even though nobody seems to use it.

[peatff]

What I want to know is do these same rules apply on these flexible 4 lane motorways like the M6 in Birmingham where the hard shoulder becomes the inside lane of the motorway even though nobody seems to use it.

 

On a 4 lane system the 4th lane is the outside lane so you can not use the 4th lane but can use the other 3.