M25 No hard shoulder!

[fatboy18]

I had the misfortune today to getting caught in traffic on the M25 between Godstone and Clackets lane, there had been an accident where an Air Ambulance had been called and CPR was being given (found this out a bit later). After sitting in slow moving /stopped traffic for best part of an hour my top radiator hose decided to let go

I managed to get the car to the edge of lane 1 but there was no Hard shoulder Highways were alerted as well as the Police (via AA) The lane closed red X markers were then deployed on the overhead gantries. After waiting about 40mins Highways towed me off the motorway to the service station and I was then recovered home.

If you have had the misfortune to break down on the motorway with no hard shoulder you have my sympathy, its seriously scary.
TO THE HUNDREDS of drivers who ignored the RED X Saying lane closed, I hope you all get penalty points and a Ban, to the Irish registered lorry and the driver chatting on his phone and nearly taking out the side of my car. I hope your balls fester! To the Driver of the Silver ford focus who again ignored the lane closed signs and then shouted at me and stuck his fingers up for breaking down, Again I have some nice thoughts for you mate!

I would like to thank the Police and Highways for doing a Great Job getting me safely off the road.

And Finally the AA for calling out their fantastic recovery truck. Brilliant.

Now that's what you call a recovery truck! Brilliant

I would love to know at what stage any of these drivers get penalty points? Do the cameras record the drivers in the lanes with the red X and issue ANPR Fixed penalties? I really hope so.

Edited by fatboy18 on Sunday 29th May 18:33

[fatboy18]

Here are just a couple of the offenders
Well done Thames Water


And another Merc Vito van REG No RK62 OFN

Just two of hundreds!

[fatboy18]

Red Devil said:

That was bad luck getting stranded 600m past the refuge at the 36.8 marker.



I have been trying to remember when and where I had seen you car before.
It was a long time ago! On 12/09/12 at the Smith & Western in Blindley Heath.



Btw, do American cars not have hazard warning lights?

Yes and they were on, I guess the pic must have taken during the no flash bit? Both pics as well! What's the chances of that?

[fatboy18]

sleepezy said:

Glad you got out of there ok.

OP odd question, but did that recovery truck driver tell you about him owning a 600odd hp Ford Anglia and very special Capri?

I may have been with the same guy/truck not all that long ago!

No, this guy had a Caterham

[fatboy18]

They should be Banned from Driving in my book, they piss other drivers off who sit there patently in the correct lanes, then expect to be let in near an incident. It's Dangerous and selfish driving! 3 months ban,9 points and a hefty fine would get my vote.
I will be writing to my MP, they might like the idea of more revenue

[fatboy18]

CoolHands said:

How do you know the preceding sign had a red X on it

Man on the highways phone told me they closed the lane

[fatboy18]

dxg said:

fatboy18 said:

I was taught to leave the bonnet up in situations like that - so that the car appears visually bigger. Although I guess in your case, there's concerns about the wind from the passing vehicles.

Although I have broken down on a motorway (windscreen wipers seized up, of all things), it was in the old days when motorways were motorways and still had their defining characteristic: the hard shoulder!

Bonnet was up for a while, but the wind picked up and I did not fancy a 6k lid flying down the M25

[fatboy18]

Landshark said:

fatboy18 said:

an on the highways phone told me they closed the lane

You can normal work it out, in that most vehicles are no longer using that lane, just a special few HUNDRED come through as they admire their bonnet!!

EFA

[fatboy18]

CoolHands said:

Because of the great number it suggests the X was not displayed. And given how (un)reliable many PHers have found gantry information to be (debris in the carriageway bullst etc) that would be my suspicion.

Sadly no, prior to my top hose blowing out I had been in lane 3 for at least 45min, lane 4 had the red X displayed and Hundreds of cars passed me as they could not see it incident ahead. The red X signs are there for a reason, as far as im concerned anyone who ignores them deserves the book thrown at them weather they can see ahead or not! If they suddenly have to stop and through their selfishness blocks the lane this prevents Emergency vehicles to to the scene of what ever incident is ahead.
it was clear to me they clearly think they are above the law!

[fatboy18]

Baskey said:

CoolHands said:

How do you know the preceding sign had a red X on it

Please read earlier posts.

[fatboy18]

sleepezy said:

fatboy18 said:

o, this guy had a Caterham

Something nice about (at least 2 of) the AA guys that drive those are a bit car nuts then!

Chap who collected me was waxing lyrical about having collected a P1 the day before. I think my Range Rover was a let down but he was a good fella.

Nice Viper BTW - I was looking back at some of my old Le Mans phots the other day from 1996 including the white/green Oreca's

I was at Le mans when the first Gen 1 Vipers started racing (1994)

[fatboy18]

swerni said:

YPLAC

Thanks! I would expect nothing less coming from a Corvette owner

Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 31st May 11:37