Was I right or wrong???

[4_Series_Scania]

Ok, picture this, I'm dropping down a steep hill, fully freighted in my artic (approx 44t gross) I'm doing about 48MPH (under the limit!) and I see a car that looks about to pull out in front of me.........

I flash my headlights ( 6 high intensity headlamps 2 in the bumper, 4 on a "bullbar" above my windscreen height) what does the car driver do?

[Craig.]

shows i need to study the highway code, i always thought that sort of thing was signalling that a driver was being let out. And i think in general or so i have seen this is done by alot of drivers. Just glad to hear no one was hurt in this incident, i think the car driver could have used better judgement though especially with distance involved and the fact you wernt slowing down

[4_Series_Scania]

and the fact you wernt slowing down

Ahh, but I WAS, trouble is, at speed, trucks slow,erm, slowly!  ;D  ;)

[Craig.]

LOL thats what i mean, had it been a car i could sort of understand, even the dumbest of drivers should know a truck isnt exactly going to stop in an instant
As for your original question, were you wrong? Looking at what you posted and whats in the highway code no you wernt wrong, the driver of the Merc was to close if it was a close call, and the other driver used poor judgement, or thats how i see it.

[Hagar]

Well Paul, I know what it says in the Highway Code but most ordinary motorists flash their lights to show they're giving way. Heck, being a polite sort of chap I generally do it myself several times every single day. As an ordinary motorist driving around town in your spare time I'm sure you must be aware of this.

Mind you, if a bleedin' great truck flashed his lights at me I would give it the benefit of the doubt.

[4_Series_Scania]

Ages ago, when taking my C+E (The old Class 1) Licence, my instructor told me that sounding your horn in a situation like that is no good, people don't hear it as a rule (!) and yes, you'd think you'd get the benefit of the doubt....  ::) I wonder if the bloke even looked in his mirrors... He probably did'nt even know I was there...

Oh, perhaps I did'nt make it clear, I was moving at speed, the car driver was pulling out of a junction 250yds (or possibly alot less!) away from a standing start.... In that speed king, the Nissan Micra!  :o  :-/

I wonder just how many people have even read the highway code, I really do!  ::)

- I have to laugh, it keeps me sane, really, it does! Honest erm..... Hmm.  ;)

[Hagar]

LOL You weren't wrong but this is one of those strange situations. I've been around long enough now to know that you can't beat the system. If the rules say one thing & everyone does the opposite you can't fight it. Even the traffic cops around here know that & go with the flow. They do show a little sense now & again.

I'm not the one to be giving advice to a pro trucker but if you wanted to use your lights as a warning to a private motorist maybe leave them on longer. Use the horn as well for good measure. Those modern truck horns are usually loud enough to scare the sh*t out of anyone these days. Glad you're OK & nobody was hurt.

[4_Series_Scania]

Glad you're OK & nobody was hurt.

That micra driver owes alot to Herr Bosch & his ABS system......

[eno]

Ayup Paul ........ I'm on your side only difference is I wouldn't have even slowed.

The last time someone did that to me when fully laden ended up with a rather short back end to their vehicle, cars make a very good brake and I had nowhere else to go, apart from into oncomming traffic and that wasn't an option I was going to take. Certain death for somone innocent as opposed to the possibility of death for an eejit .... the eejit drew the short straw and got 28tonnes of Volvo parked on his (empty) back seat. Luckily for him he only sustained shock, scratches, brown trousers(literally) and a hefty insurance bill.... the police saw the funny side and just laughed at him.
I gained out of the whole thing .... 5 hours overtime whilst the radiator was fixed at the roadside... and the 10 or so drops where backloaded onto another truck  ;D

The only thing I would suggest is next time don't flash the lights, although that's what the highway code states its open to interpretation as it isn't the letter of the law. The Micra driver interperated your flash as letting him out as most peeps do. Heres the question ....... Had it been another truck would you have flashed? Probably not... had it been another truck he PROBABLY wouldnt have pulled out flash or not thats the difference in training.

I think if an accident had happened you might have been seen as 70% to blame mearly because you flashed and this would be seen as contributing. The argument against is that the Micra driver misjudged your signal and should have waited for you to slow signifcantly. Its the same as someone going through a green traffic light and being hit by a red light jumper. The guy passing through the green light could, in theory, be prosecuted as a green light only gives you the right of way .... it doesn't mean its safe to cross.

I think the moral of this is next time DON'T flash just back off, then you can't be accused of misleading anyone should anything untoward happen.
The Law is an ass when it comes to motoring ... so don't give it a chance to make an ass of you.

Keep on trucking
cheers
eno

[ozzy72]

If it'd been me Paul I'd have rammed the silly sod and then called the police and had him done for driving without due care and attention, chuck in something along the lines of "it looked like he was talking on his mobile phone officer" and the Feds would probably buy you a nice cup of tea for giving them an easy collar for their monthly stats
Mind you I'm the guy that wants to buy a tank just to sort out the neighbours, so I'm not necessarily the best person to ask for automotive advice

Mark

Ps. I could probably get you some RPG-7s on the cheap from Romania... sort of Bond Optional Extra

[4_Series_Scania]

LOL Thanks for the reply's guys, I'm off for the rest of the week in Central London! - Oh brother!  ::)

At least, the chances of hitting 48mph are non existant....

I've taken this up with my "Transport Manager" - a guy who's never driven a Truck (of any type!) in his life!

He told me I should have just rammed him!

My instinct told me to try to warn the silly bugger, and I'd hate to scratch the paintwork of my little beastie.....