Despite having held my Class 2 for almost two years now, I still regularly encounter situations where I’m unsure who has right of way.
For example, I’ve read before that in a bottleneck situation with parked cars, the driver who is about to enter the bottleneck should give way to the driver about to exit. However, what if the latter driver is reversing? Does the entering car still have to give way or does the fact that he is travelling in the ‘right’ direction mean that the reversing driver is obliged to drive right back up the street to let him pass?
I did a job today where I have to swing across a busy dual carriageway then back down a tight street in the middle of the road, before backing into a car park.
Having left later than usual due to needing a bulb replaced, I ended up arriving at peak rush hour. It took me literally almost 5 mins sitting in left lane before I had a space to swing across and line up the reverse. As I’m backing up, a car pulls out of a side road and drives up to my rear, blocking me when I’m literally 10 ft from the entrance I need to reverse into.
I got out and asked if he minded backing up a bit, and he said “no, I’m on the correct side of the road, you need to go forward.” As I didn’t have time to argue, I ended up driving back to the end of the road and then waiting a couple of mins to pull back across the dual carriageway to let him drive around me. It would’ve literally taken 20 secs for him to back up and me to reverse into said car park.
Of course, another car turns in by the time I’m reversing back again, but he was good enough to wait for me.
The Highway Code says that you are not to intimidate or bully your way through by using the size and weight of your vehicle. I often give way for a quiet stress free life, paid by the hour and all of that.
Another common one is somebody driving up your arse as you’re about to reverse and then refusing to go back. I try and warn people by indicating first and then putting hazards on as I slow down, but most people still drive right up behind you as you’re swinging over to get in position.
As a commercial dustcart driver with 70ish jobs a day this can really slow me down over the course of a shift.
alamcculloch:
The Highway Code says that you are not to intimidate or bully your way through by using the size and weight of your vehicle. I often give way for a quiet stress free life, paid by the hour and all of that.
Have to check that, is that true never seen or heard of it before, I should brush up on my highway code
Depends on the situation, sometimes you have to take charge and do what you need or you can be giving way all day. I certainly wouldn’t have backed up to within 10ft of where I needed to be and then give in to an unhelpful idiot.
Another scenario. Three junction mini roundabout Everybody wants to turn right.
I used to believe in “who dares wins” and floor it. This is no longer possible, due to driving a 12 speed Merc auto.
wrighty1:
Depends on the situation, sometimes you have to take charge and do what you need or you can be giving way all day. I certainly wouldn’t have backed up to within 10ft of where I needed to be and then give in to an unhelpful idiot.
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Oh believe me I have to be an assertive driver in the city centre.
I’d normally have been less inclined to let this prick through, but I was in a particularly bad mood today and honestly thought I might end up losing my temper if this had continued for much longer.
(In maritime law, engine powered ships have to give way to wind powered ships. But only a foolish sailboat captain would expect a large motor ship to give way to him…)
kevmac47:
Nowhere in the highway code does it mention anyone have “right of way”. Even a give way sign in your favour does not give you “right of way”.
Exactly, it’s the same here. I can’t believe a paid driver doesn’t know this. As Wrighty1 said, no way would I have gone forward after backing up all that way. I’d have taken pleasure in telling him that “I’m getting paid, how about you?”
Suedehead:
Another scenario. Three junction mini roundabout Everybody wants to turn right.
I used to believe in “who dares wins” and floor it. This is no longer possible, due to driving a 12 speed Merc auto.
For this situation, I’ve often thought if it was my unit and trailer I was driving around in, I’d put a “Sorry, I’m not a c-nut… I just drive an Actros” across the back doors
There nothing in the highway code as regards who has right of way.
Generally unwritten if your side of road is clear you have right of way.
If your side has parked cars and.you obviously have to give way.
But it’s not law.
Just common sense but these days seems to be dying out in drivers. As everyone now is always in a rush and all about me.
who has right of way here if you have committed to the turn google.com/maps/@53.3302503 … 312!8i6656 same coming back out, its an easy turn but its joe public that makes it difficult
There are utter morons out there at the wheel of all sorts of vehicles.
Earlier in the year i’m dropping daughter off to pick her car up from car dealer on a retail park, whilst she’s sorting herself out there’s an ECM transporter reversing down the side road obviously having delivered to one of the other dealers, cars parked everywhere i’ve delivered cars here myself and its a nightmare, no chance of him turning round further up that side road.
Anyway he’s backing down with hazards going and he has no option but to reverse on his good side onto the main service road, so i stand at the bottom to stop anyone from turning in and i’ll watch him out when he reaches the road.
Sure enough along comes jobsworth driving a social services type transit minibus, i try to stop him but he insists of driving as far as he can into the road which effectively takes out ECM lad’s swing room for his nearside cab end.
I ask the bloke to back up but it’s like talking to a sponge, the head is empty, he’s going on about why doesn’t he turn around and drive out , then he’s moaning cos no reversing lights though you’d need to be blind to not see the hazards and the fact he’s going backwards and filling the road which as cars parked both sides.
Anyway matey isn’t moving so eventually ECM lad is starting to make his turn so stops when it’s obvious to anyone ■■■■■■ man is causing the issue…by now couple of other cars waiting to turn into the road but they have a brain each and stop a good way back from ■■■■■■ cos it’s bleedin sure as eggs is eggs no one is going anywhere till he moves.
I needn’t say cos you’ve already guessed, perma hiviz worn.
He’s still moaning and eventually it sinks into his skull that unless he moves back to where the other cars are we’ll all be there all day, which he eventually grudgingly does, a complete prick, imagine having that in your family and looking forward to him arriving for Christmas , he’s also allowed to vote
ECM lad’s ■■■■■■■ himself laughing by the way
Daughter wondered how i managed to end up in a row
This right of way situation a few times over the years and I always use the same technique.
Completely totally 100% utterly ignore them, avoid making eye contact, turn off your engine, lock the doors and if you have one, start reading a newspaper. There is no point in trying to reason with these type of self-righteous wee drinking Nazis. What happens is the other car drivers being held up will eventually force Mr or Mrs Upmyownbackside to reverse up.
It’s never failed me and I once got a 15 minute break out of it.
dieseldog999:
whoever has the biggest balls usually has right of way.
Yup. Politely but firmly let them know you’re going no matter what. Did a delivery in Crewe, burger van parked on corner of entrance, BMW and van visiting burger van parked in entrance so I couldn’t get in so put the wagon at 45 degrees across the road, tapped on the horn and put it in reverse gear so the beeper came on. People at burger van jumped in vehicles and moved them out the way. Reversed in, pap on horn, a cheery thankyou wave to the drivers. No bullying, no grief just “I’m reversing and you can either shift it or take a chance I won’t take its side out”
Same when approaching parked cars and its a bit narrow, I’ll stick my lorry in a position to go past them before I get to them. It’s usually enough to get all but the most die hard coming the other way to stop. I always give them a thumbs up or thank you wave though.
, then he’s moaning cos no reversing lights though you’d need to be blind to not see the hazards and the fact he’s going backwards and filling the road which as cars parked both sides.
, he’s also allowed to vote
