Went through a restricted road in a truck..
Discussion
I followed a B road earlier, approached this left turn, made said left turn, didn't spot this width restriction sign (easy to miss unless approaching it from another angle)..
..and shortly after, was blocked in the middle of the road by a cyclist who apparently was a police officer. He did flash something in his wallet, but during my attempts to explain I had never been here before and wouldn't blatantly ignore a sign (more than my job is worth and seeing as all vehicles are tracked, not something I would get away with), I didn't get his details.
He blocked the road and wouldn't move until he had taken a shot of the truck and refused my suggestion that I move over to let traffic behind and in front of me pass; so we ended up in the middle of the road with him accusing me of being part of an ongoing problem of trucks using this road and me trying to defend myself as I didn't see a sign, with traffic blocked all around for several minutes.
He said he will report me.
On returning to our depot and looking on Google maps and explaining the situation, it seems this may be the reason I missed the sign. I can only assume it is even more overgrown now as in almost thirty years of driving, I have never missed or ignored such a sign. I also would never venture into an unknown road showing 6 foot 6 in an HGV because it may result in utter turmoil and a situation I would struggle to get out of.
My biggest worry now is that if he decided to ride to that junction and saw the sign hidden from view, he may have hacked away at it to make it visible just to help his case! He had zero interest in my version of events, I was, for all intents and purposes and in his eyes, a stereotypical rule breaking, non-caring HGV thug with no interest in anything other than my own progress.
Apparently "You all use this road as a short cut" but I have no clue for what purpose or exactly what it is a short cut for. Perhaps HGV farm delivery vehicles?
Do you think if this gets taken further I have a case, or do I just take it on the chin? I have no idea what happens in these situations as it has never happened to me!
..and shortly after, was blocked in the middle of the road by a cyclist who apparently was a police officer. He did flash something in his wallet, but during my attempts to explain I had never been here before and wouldn't blatantly ignore a sign (more than my job is worth and seeing as all vehicles are tracked, not something I would get away with), I didn't get his details.
He blocked the road and wouldn't move until he had taken a shot of the truck and refused my suggestion that I move over to let traffic behind and in front of me pass; so we ended up in the middle of the road with him accusing me of being part of an ongoing problem of trucks using this road and me trying to defend myself as I didn't see a sign, with traffic blocked all around for several minutes.
He said he will report me.
On returning to our depot and looking on Google maps and explaining the situation, it seems this may be the reason I missed the sign. I can only assume it is even more overgrown now as in almost thirty years of driving, I have never missed or ignored such a sign. I also would never venture into an unknown road showing 6 foot 6 in an HGV because it may result in utter turmoil and a situation I would struggle to get out of.
My biggest worry now is that if he decided to ride to that junction and saw the sign hidden from view, he may have hacked away at it to make it visible just to help his case! He had zero interest in my version of events, I was, for all intents and purposes and in his eyes, a stereotypical rule breaking, non-caring HGV thug with no interest in anything other than my own progress.
Apparently "You all use this road as a short cut" but I have no clue for what purpose or exactly what it is a short cut for. Perhaps HGV farm delivery vehicles?
Do you think if this gets taken further I have a case, or do I just take it on the chin? I have no idea what happens in these situations as it has never happened to me!
Edited by Digby on Friday 9th September 18:46
I have been in the situation several times that someone has flashed something at me from their wallet (ooer missus!) having done doors, gig-security, bike instructor and pisshead.
Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
In that one instance, I gave a grovelling apology; every other time the person has refused to show me a second time so has been roundly told to go about their own business and let me get on with mine.
It's an offence to impersonate a police officer.
As for your situation, all you can do is wait; no point in worrying about it.
Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
In that one instance, I gave a grovelling apology; every other time the person has refused to show me a second time so has been roundly told to go about their own business and let me get on with mine.
It's an offence to impersonate a police officer.
As for your situation, all you can do is wait; no point in worrying about it.
Rubin215 said:
I have been in the situation several times that someone has flashed something at me from their wallet (ooer missus!) having done doors, gig-security, bike instructor and pisshead.
Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Am kicking myself for not taking his details.Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
I want to help out a fellow PH trucker.
I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
Digby said:
I followed a B road earlier, approached this left turn...
Apparently "You all use this road as a short cut" but I have no clue for what purpose or exactly what it is a short cut for. Perhaps HGV farm delivery vehicles?
Heading from the east, turning south?Apparently "You all use this road as a short cut" but I have no clue for what purpose or exactly what it is a short cut for. Perhaps HGV farm delivery vehicles?
Looking at the map, it is a fairly obvious shortcut into the back of Chipstead, and then onto the motorway - and you can kinda see why the width restrictions, especially where the Transit minibuses and parking are causing chaos by the pub and green on streetview, so it does look like he did you a bit of a favour.
https://goo.gl/maps/mZP9q1Y7wK72
I'd go with the "quick flash of something in a wallet = billy bulls
t", but that doesn't mean that the photos won't find themselves on the way to Mr Plod. Whether they'll take it any further is, of course, another question entirely.Iva Barchetta said:
I want to help out a fellow PH trucker.
I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
That's very kind, but don't feel you have to. I came from the A21, through Badgers Mount on the A224 and then on to the B2211, Sundridge Road before turning left at the signs.I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
It's clearly displayed at the other end of the road, so I can see why residents etc may be angry if this is a common occurrence.
I'm also big enough and ugly enough to admit I may have missed the sign due to mirror checking etc, I really can't say, but will hold my hands up if that's the case. Either way, I didn't see it and going by the street view, there may be a reason for that.
I certainly didn't clock the sign in image one, more likely due to mirror checking left and it not facing in my direction. One would assume that's the reason the sign in image two exists. On street view, there is a clearer shot of the obscured sign, but that is facing it from the other direction of travel and I'm not sure if the shots are taken during the same period.
TooMany2cvs said:
Heading from the east, turning south?
Looking at the map, it is a fairly obvious shortcut into the back of Chipstead, and then onto the motorway..
I should have just joined the M25. I was heading to the B2042 just off the A25 / Westerham Road (great fun down those lanes!)Looking at the map, it is a fairly obvious shortcut into the back of Chipstead, and then onto the motorway..
I had been a certain distance along the A224 in the past and when I saw it was a B road after that, I followed the Sat Nav suggestion as it appeared quite straightforward - which it was up to a point!
Had I seen the sign, I would, as I have done a thousand times before, spun around or pulled over if possible to see if there was an alternative.
I still can't see what is to be gained by using it as a shortcut. The M25 access is a stones throw in the other direction.
Edited by Digby on Friday 9th September 20:03
Rubin215 said:
I have been in the situation several times that someone has flashed something at me from their wallet (ooer missus!) having done doors, gig-security, bike instructor and pisshead.
Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
I can see the door work or being a pisshead could bring out the fake badge plonkers, but how does it happen bike instructing?Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
Sounds like plod is looking for a promotion if you ask me.
I'm sure he'll get plenty of pats on the back from his superiors for going out of his way on his day of cycle.
I know a few plod and none of them would do that for something so minor. if they did that for minor offences they witnessed while off duty they wouldn't have much time at home with their families.
I'm sure he'll get plenty of pats on the back from his superiors for going out of his way on his day of cycle.
I know a few plod and none of them would do that for something so minor. if they did that for minor offences they witnessed while off duty they wouldn't have much time at home with their families.
Iva Barchetta said:
I want to help out a fellow PH trucker.
I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
I will drive over there this weekend and check out the signage and take pics.
Which direction were you travelling in before turning into Chevening road ?.......from Sundridge or down from A224 ?
That junction appears to be called Chevening Cross.
creampuff said:
Rubin215 said:
I have been in the situation several times that someone has flashed something at me from their wallet (ooer missus!) having done doors, gig-security, bike instructor and pisshead.
Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
I can see the door work or being a pisshead could bring out the fake badge plonkers, but how does it happen bike instructing?Every time, I ask the person to show me properly or just not bother.
Only once (as a pisshead) did the person turn out to actually be plod.
On the road with a group of riders it can be difficult to get everyone out of junction all together (learners, clutch control, gaps in traffic etc) so it can take a while to get through a give-way or stop junction; impatient driver behind gets frustrated, gets on the horn, gets out of car, makes threats, gets ignored etc. I've had drivers nudge a rider from behind, try and push past between me and traffic islands, even come out of the junction on the wrong side of the road to get past!
On the road it can sometimes be difficult to make progress (125cc's, gradients, headwinds etc) but it's also important not to let a nervous rider get intimidated by vehicle behind so the group will ride in a triangle shape; both learners just to the left of the centre of the lane with 2-second gap between them, the instructor just to the right of the lane-centre either about halfway between the learners or just to the rear of the following rider. Impatient driver behind feels he is being blocked, gets frustrated, gets on the horn etc, waits until group pull in to a lay-by to let him pass, also stops, gets out of car, makes threats, gets ignored etc.
On the road, learners also need to learn how to ride the fun stuff; country roads, bendy stuff etc. "Proper biker" feels he can't thrash down his favourite twisties at warp-factor 10 as "you bloody learners" are going to cause an accident. Pulls in at the and burger stop, takes helmet off, makes threats, gets ignored etc. "Proper bikers" also don't like it being told A. It's not a race-track, B. They can't be that competent at overtakes if they can't get past a group of 125's when they're on a 1000cc sportsbike. C. I also ffer advanced riding lessons at a reduced rate...
Doing lessons by side of road (junctions, roundabouts, hill-starts etc), local red-faced angry-man comes out of house/garden/car and berates group for riding dangerously/noisily/far too fast/constantly in front of his house etc, makes threats, gets ignored etc. I generally make an apology, maintain that we have only just come in to the area and assure angry-man that we will try and avoid his area in future.
As in all situations like this, the main thing for the instructor is to stay calm and think about the safety of themselves and their students; I've lost count of the number of times I've been shouted at or threatened, but it's never once actually become physical.
As promised,went there this morning,only a minor detour required.
Approaching from north as you go left there is a sign but it's mostly covered by the bushes as in pics 3,4 & 5.
There are 2 other signs but they are there for those approaching from south and west.
If that really was police and it goes further I think you have a good case as the sign for turning left is obscured.
Approaching from north as you go left there is a sign but it's mostly covered by the bushes as in pics 3,4 & 5.
There are 2 other signs but they are there for those approaching from south and west.
If that really was police and it goes further I think you have a good case as the sign for turning left is obscured.
Well done, that is top work to get those pictures up.
Just as a note, the restriction sign is not only obscured but it is also placed so badly as to create a problem if it is seen.
How the hell you are supposed to get out of the trap the sign sets is a mystery, you turn off left and then potentially see the sign so you are now off the main road and already sort of turning left. In a lorry which is not exactly easy to reverse back out, you cant even turn right to get out of the problem because its too tight a turn and you would be in conflict with other traffic.
To be honest you need to get on top of this on Monday morning and get your complaint in first, talk to your transport manager or O licence holder(if either are any good) and see what they think but if it were me I would be phoning the council and if they were no help then go right on up to the Office of the areas Traffic commissioner and show them this little bit of idiocy.
One thing is for sure, you will be fingered for this if you don't make your fuss now.
we are only professional drivers when they want to hold us to task for some bks infringement, the rest of the time we are seen as utter s by everyone.
Just as a note, the restriction sign is not only obscured but it is also placed so badly as to create a problem if it is seen.
How the hell you are supposed to get out of the trap the sign sets is a mystery, you turn off left and then potentially see the sign so you are now off the main road and already sort of turning left. In a lorry which is not exactly easy to reverse back out, you cant even turn right to get out of the problem because its too tight a turn and you would be in conflict with other traffic.
To be honest you need to get on top of this on Monday morning and get your complaint in first, talk to your transport manager or O licence holder(if either are any good) and see what they think but if it were me I would be phoning the council and if they were no help then go right on up to the Office of the areas Traffic commissioner and show them this little bit of idiocy.
One thing is for sure, you will be fingered for this if you don't make your fuss now.
we are only professional drivers when they want to hold us to task for some b
ks infringement, the rest of the time we are seen as utter s by everyone.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff