Left turn audible warnings from a trucker's POV..

[Brandane]

As an occasional HGV driver, I sometimes visit (and even more rarely post) on a truckers forum.
This thread has come up though, about audible left turn warnings on HGV's, which may be of interest to cyclists.
There are some real meat-heads on that forum, so you have been warned!
You might be able to spot my contribution. I have a different user name on there.

Edit to add.... One or two of the attitudes on that thread should be enough on their own to convince cyclists that going up the left side of an HGV is NOT a good idea. I know this subject was covered in depth recently, but all the cameras, mirrors, monitors, alarms, and bigger glassed areas are going to make absolutely ZERO difference to cyclist safety if you are unlucky enough to be dealing with a lorry driven by a moron. Don't get me wrong - most HGV drivers that I know are very good, but it only takes one idiot to kill you.

 

[snorri]

You might be able to spot my contribution. I have a different user name on there..

Errr yes I think I did.
You came in late but heavy?

 

[Brandane]

Errr yes I think I did.
You came in late but heavy?

Sometimes, subtlety is not my strong suit.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sometimes, subtlety is not my strong suit.

Admirable in the attempt but, I fear, a waste of keystrokes. Arguing with morons is pointless, they just drag you down to their level and make you look stupid too.

 

[Slick]

Admirable in the attempt but, I fear, a waste of keystrokes. Arguing with morons is pointless, they just drag you down to their level and make you look stupid too.

I tend to agree, especially as I know some of the types behind that wheel. I ran a small fleet in another life, and one particular incident has never left me. Education is the key. Each driver now has to complete mandatory CPD training. Some cyclist awareness training wouldn't go amiss.

 

[Shortandcrisp]

Sometimes, subtlety is not my strong suit.

Typical truck driver!

 

[Brandane]

Arguing with morons is pointless

No it's not!

 

[Brandane]

Admirable in the attempt but, I fear, a waste of keystrokes.

You're probably correct, but you never know; someone might read it and take some of it on board. Some HGV drivers are so far removed from cyclists because they just don't get it. Why would anyone want to ride a bike when the internal combustion engine has been invented? They see cyclists as freeloading pests and nothing more. It might help if they realise that there are some HGV drivers who do both, although I reckon they will read it as either trolling or a weirdo at work.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

The sheer level of knuckleheadedness on that forum is pretty mind blowing. It serves a purpose however, I'll probably not overestimate a driver's intelligence for a while now after seeing how thick some of them are. I find a quick peep at sports car enthusiasts' fora is similarly useful.

 

[Brandane]

The sheer level of knuckleheadedness on that forum is pretty mind blowing. It serves a purpose however, I'll probably not overestimate a driver's intelligence for a while now after seeing how thick some of them are. I find a quick peep at sports car enthusiasts' fora is similarly useful.

It's a reflection on the current job market in the UK that anyone actually does the job of HGV driver, considering the working conditions. In general it is low wages, long hours, spending nights sleeping in the cab in a grotty service area or lay-by. Plus on-going expensive overheads to keep your licence current, such as the pointless CPC training. You're never going to attract a high calibre of employee. There are of course exceptions and you can still find some decent driving jobs out there, but after 10 years I have yet to do so personally (the fact that I only want part time hours and nights in my own bed, coupled with refusing to commute more than 25 miles each way might be a tad restrictive).

 

[GrumpyGregry]

You're probably correct, but you never know; someone might read it and take some of it on board. Some HGV drivers are so far removed from cyclists because they just don't get it. Why would anyone want to ride a bike when the internal combustion engine has been invented? They see cyclists as freeloading pests and nothing more. It might help if they realise that there are some HGV drivers who do both, although I reckon they will read it as either trolling or a weirdo at work.

I had a go in a mate's Maserati GranTourismo yesterday. I almost ended up thinking the same...

 

[Brandane]

I had a go in a mate's Maserati GranTourismo yesterday. I almost ended up thinking the same...

Had to Google that; nice fast motor but you'll be glad your mate is paying for the group 50 insurance and 18 mpg!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Had to Google that; nice fast motor but you'll be glad your mate is paying for the group 50 insurance and 18 mpg!

His company is paying for it

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I will avoid reading that forum, thanks for the warning!