Worst thing youve seen on a Motorway?
Discussion
Following on from an excellent post about Motorways, whats the worst thing that youve seen on a Motorway?
To start the ball rolling,
One busy sunny afternoon i was called to an elderley woman 'apparently' walking Northbound up the Southbound lane, in lane 3.
We set off down the Motorway and about a mile before the end i couldnt believe my eyes.
A old woman walking up the outside lane carrying 2 shopping bags.
We had put a rolling road in so she was now safe and as i approached her on foot she was relieved to see me.She said that it was a busy road and that there were no footpaths.
She was a stranger to the area and had been shopping in Brent X and had turned right instead of left.
Needless to say, she lived to fight another day
To start the ball rolling,
One busy sunny afternoon i was called to an elderley woman 'apparently' walking Northbound up the Southbound lane, in lane 3.
We set off down the Motorway and about a mile before the end i couldnt believe my eyes.
A old woman walking up the outside lane carrying 2 shopping bags. We had put a rolling road in so she was now safe and as i approached her on foot she was relieved to see me.She said that it was a busy road and that there were no footpaths.
She was a stranger to the area and had been shopping in Brent X and had turned right instead of left.
Needless to say, she lived to fight another day
A6144(M) spur road in South Manchester. A 2 way road, with 1 lane each way, seperated by a metre of chevrons with solid border.
Unless I'm very much mistaken (and there were no signs to the contrary last time I went that way) it's a 70 limit and all motorway regs apply.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I rounded the sweeping bend at a fair lick to encounter a someone in a pug 405 doing a 3 point turn.
Unless I'm very much mistaken (and there were no signs to the contrary last time I went that way) it's a 70 limit and all motorway regs apply.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I rounded the sweeping bend at a fair lick to encounter a someone in a pug 405 doing a 3 point turn.
Unprotected stationary Fire Tender in lane 4 of M25 whilst Captain Flack and the Waterfairies attempted to extinguish a small grass fire on the central reservation that I could have P
d on to put out. This was at 1300ish on a mid week afternoon causing absolute chaos whilst 80-90mph traffic attempted to avoid them.
It might interest you to know that Captain Flack refused to remove siad obstruction when ordered to because in law he is in charge at a fire
What he forgot was that on special roads, We are in charge of everything.
He was not happy when after extinguishing the blaze, himself and his driver (who was in a very invidious no win situation) were informed to stop on the hard shoulder after removing themselves from lane 4 whilst they were both reoprted for offences in relation to stopping in the carriageway , leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position and failing to conform to traffic directions!
I love to promote peace and harmony in my work
d on to put out. This was at 1300ish on a mid week afternoon causing absolute chaos whilst 80-90mph traffic attempted to avoid them. It might interest you to know that Captain Flack refused to remove siad obstruction when ordered to because in law he is in charge at a fire
What he forgot was that on special roads, We are in charge of everything
. He was not happy when after extinguishing the blaze, himself and his driver (who was in a very invidious no win situation) were informed to stop on the hard shoulder after removing themselves from lane 4 whilst they were both reoprted for offences in relation to stopping in the carriageway , leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position and failing to conform to traffic directions!
I love to promote peace and harmony in my work
So many examples. Live in West Africa you see...
People here think that when they have an accident they should leave the cars exactly where they are and toddle off to get the police.
Outside my office window on the main dual avenue through Accra a mini-bus hit a car just the other side of a busy junction. Both vehicles were left there and there followed an afternoon of screeching brakes, smashing sounds and shouting. In all we counted 13 vehicles that were in some way affected.
Thank God they don't travel that fast here!
In the UK - reversing up the sliproad of the M25 junction 11 toward the M3. This is a filtered sliproad and people go round that bend at one hell of a pace. Incredible..
>> Edited by beljames on Saturday 29th May 14:29
People here think that when they have an accident they should leave the cars exactly where they are and toddle off to get the police.
Outside my office window on the main dual avenue through Accra a mini-bus hit a car just the other side of a busy junction. Both vehicles were left there and there followed an afternoon of screeching brakes, smashing sounds and shouting. In all we counted 13 vehicles that were in some way affected.
Thank God they don't travel that fast here!
In the UK - reversing up the sliproad of the M25 junction 11 toward the M3. This is a filtered sliproad and people go round that bend at one hell of a pace. Incredible..
>> Edited by beljames on Saturday 29th May 14:29
Apart from mangled bodies (human as well as vehicular):
- (on the M1) a caravan coming across the central reservation upside down, backwards and dragging the car behind it ... also upside down. Amazingly, no-one hit it and the passengers were shaken but unbroken;
- (on the Autostrada del Sol) a plastic "tarpaulin" coming off the top of a lorry and unfurling as it went. I saw it land behind me (Lambo P400 "pressing on") and saw cars going every which way as a result;
- (on the M56) a brick leaving the rear tyres of a builder's lorry right in front of me and heading straight for me ... that led to an afternoon in A&E having splinters removed from my eye (not recommended for those of a nervous disposition);
and (although not on a motorway):
- two rolls of newsprint rolling off a lorry on Bury New Road, Gtr Manchester.
Streaky
- (on the M1) a caravan coming across the central reservation upside down, backwards and dragging the car behind it ... also upside down. Amazingly, no-one hit it and the passengers were shaken but unbroken;
- (on the Autostrada del Sol) a plastic "tarpaulin" coming off the top of a lorry and unfurling as it went. I saw it land behind me (Lambo P400 "pressing on") and saw cars going every which way as a result;
- (on the M56) a brick leaving the rear tyres of a builder's lorry right in front of me and heading straight for me ... that led to an afternoon in A&E having splinters removed from my eye (not recommended for those of a nervous disposition);
and (although not on a motorway):
- two rolls of newsprint rolling off a lorry on Bury New Road, Gtr Manchester.
Streaky
Muppet that (after tailgating me, then once I was out of the way got past another couple of cars, then performed a lane3-lane2-lane1-lane2-lane 3 manoeuvre to gain a couple of car lengths) found all 3 lanes completely blocked a couple of miles up the road.
He then decided a lane3-lane2-lane1-hard shoulder-overtake several trucks-lane1-lane2-lane3 manoeuvre was in order - dust, grit and rubbish flying everywhere, what a hero.. Also must have been doing around 100mph+ along the hard shoulder (lane 3 was doing an indicated 90 at the time, and he was pulling away quite nicely)..
It was only last Saturday too (M4 Eastbound)..
>> Edited by beermatt on Saturday 29th May 17:09
He then decided a lane3-lane2-lane1-hard shoulder-overtake several trucks-lane1-lane2-lane3 manoeuvre was in order - dust, grit and rubbish flying everywhere, what a hero.. Also must have been doing around 100mph+ along the hard shoulder (lane 3 was doing an indicated 90 at the time, and he was pulling away quite nicely)..
It was only last Saturday too (M4 Eastbound)..
>> Edited by beermatt on Saturday 29th May 17:09
I've seen a horsebox blow over (M4 westbound over the downs approaching Swindon - horses ok!).
Also when running a carfleet, our Chief Exec had a large bolt fly off a lorry - went through his passenger side of the windscreen with a neat hole at head height
There was no passenger at the time...
Also when running a carfleet, our Chief Exec had a large bolt fly off a lorry - went through his passenger side of the windscreen with a neat hole at head height
There was no passenger at the time...
Further south I drive - the more muppets I see! On daily journey - fine until we hit Preston - then downhill from there onwards.
M6 - Preston area: Seen Artic miss exit he wanted. Instead of continuing to next exit and doubling back - he decides to reverse back to triangular hatchings and use the exit he wanted
M61: Kids swinging a skipping rope from one of the bridges. Passenger (my son) reported that one to cops! (I was driving and never use Handy at all in the car - hands free or otherwise - if they want me - they use the voice mail!)
M66 (NOT seen by me - but last night's Manchester carried story of poor labrador cross puppy which had been thrown from bridge in Bury area) Sincerely hope they catch those dregs of excuses of people! Only death - was the dog - but very much an understatement to say it could have been much, much more serious!
Seen trailer on M4 being towed at unbelievable speed. (Um - was exceeding speed limit myself (and not sayin' by how much - else you'll 'ave me and be on look out for wild auburn haired girly in a Jag!
- let us just say it would have been respectable back in the Fatherland! ) Anyway - tosspot with trailer was going --even faster than I was! Decided to stop at service station so that he could get as far away from me as possible.
Once - again down in the SOUTH (M20) someone having a picnic on hard shoulder!
M25 (sigh) Does anyone (apart from me and my mob when driving on it) on that motorway actually understand lane discipline and two-second rule?
M11 - lorry full of rubbish - en route to a recycling dump -- all the rubbish was blowing off and all over the carriageway!
Germany: Turbo Rolf and Turbo Wolf having a race in their respective Merc and Porsche! And Herr Polizist joined in!
Switzerland: Johnny Foreigner's caravan jackknifed at speed on steepish downward gradient at Luzern and French driver was hit. Fortunately, no serious injury
Johnny Foreigner also speeded excessively through St Gotthard Tunnel - without lights. Nearly caused accident (which can be very dangerous in the tunnels. Tunnels are serious
for speeding in Switzerland. They are mined - so if when fires break out - even more dangerous!
M6 - Preston area: Seen Artic miss exit he wanted. Instead of continuing to next exit and doubling back - he decides to reverse back to triangular hatchings and use the exit he wanted
M61: Kids swinging a skipping rope from one of the bridges. Passenger (my son) reported that one to cops! (I was driving and never use Handy at all in the car - hands free or otherwise - if they want me - they use the voice mail!)
M66 (NOT seen by me - but last night's Manchester carried story of poor labrador cross puppy which had been thrown from bridge in Bury area)
Sincerely hope they catch those dregs of excuses of people! Only death - was the dog - but very much an understatement to say it could have been much, much more serious! Seen trailer on M4 being towed at unbelievable speed. (Um - was exceeding speed limit myself (and not sayin' by how much - else you'll 'ave me and be on look out for wild auburn haired girly in a Jag!
- let us just say it would have been respectable back in the Fatherland! ) Anyway - tosspot with trailer was going --even faster than I was! Decided to stop at service station so that he could get as far away from me as possible. Once - again down in the SOUTH (M20) someone having a picnic on hard shoulder!
M25 (sigh) Does anyone (apart from me and my mob when driving on it
) on that motorway actually understand lane discipline and two-second rule? M11 - lorry full of rubbish - en route to a recycling dump -- all the rubbish was blowing off and all over the carriageway!
Germany: Turbo Rolf and Turbo Wolf having a race in their respective Merc and Porsche!
And Herr Polizist joined in! Switzerland: Johnny Foreigner's caravan jackknifed at speed on steepish downward gradient at Luzern and French driver was hit. Fortunately, no serious injury
Johnny Foreigner also speeded excessively through St Gotthard Tunnel - without lights. Nearly caused accident (which can be very dangerous in the tunnels. Tunnels are serious
for speeding in Switzerland. They are mined - so if when fires break out - even more dangerous! Not sure what you mean by worst thing seen on a Motorway Tony.
In terms of worst as in gruesome got to be a tie between.....
a) Loose wheel fixings on artic causing lost wheel to bounce into opposite carriageway and hit oncoming car at windscreen height driver's side...... nuff said about that one.
or maybe
b) Biker getting tangled up with a pie van and being dragged into a long red streak and not much else.....
nuff said about that one too!
In terms of worst as in "Richard Head" behaviour, well Ted hasn't enough bandwidth, but folks indulging in rapid reversing and U turns because they've missed their exit seems the most moronic regular behaviour.
Mind you there was once a woman with a kiddie in a pushchair trundling down the hard shoulder in total darkness.......
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Saturday 29th May 17:53
In terms of worst as in gruesome got to be a tie between.....
a) Loose wheel fixings on artic causing lost wheel to bounce into opposite carriageway and hit oncoming car at windscreen height driver's side...... nuff said about that one.
or maybe
b) Biker getting tangled up with a pie van and being dragged into a long red streak and not much else.....
nuff said about that one too!
In terms of worst as in "Richard Head" behaviour, well Ted hasn't enough bandwidth, but folks indulging in rapid reversing and U turns because they've missed their exit seems the most moronic regular behaviour.
Mind you there was once a woman with a kiddie in a pushchair trundling down the hard shoulder in total darkness.......
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Saturday 29th May 17:53
2 vivid memories:
M69, probably 10 years ago:
Nice shiny car parked broadside, middle lane.
About a mile further along, transporter pulled up on hard shoulder with a car sized space on his double height stacking trailer.
I think cars on trailers are locked and left in gear, and from some experience of making parkbrake systems, the transporter drivers used to sit on the back seat and pull the lever up with both hands and all their might.
Must have been a devil to move it.
M6, probably also about 10 years ago.
Massive queue.
Evantually, could see what the holdup was in the distance - some car sized object was overturned in the outside lane.
Got closer and closer and started to puzzle over how flat the underside was, and how low it was, even if it was now a bit squashed. Got closer and realised it was actually a car on a trailer.
Sad thing was it was an F40, obviously being delivered.
Imagine that call - 'er, sorry sir but there's a bit of a problem with your car (like, now you will never get one)'.
M69, probably 10 years ago:
Nice shiny car parked broadside, middle lane.
About a mile further along, transporter pulled up on hard shoulder with a car sized space on his double height stacking trailer.
I think cars on trailers are locked and left in gear, and from some experience of making parkbrake systems, the transporter drivers used to sit on the back seat and pull the lever up with both hands and all their might.
Must have been a devil to move it.
M6, probably also about 10 years ago.
Massive queue.
Evantually, could see what the holdup was in the distance - some car sized object was overturned in the outside lane.
Got closer and closer and started to puzzle over how flat the underside was, and how low it was, even if it was now a bit squashed. Got closer and realised it was actually a car on a trailer.
Sad thing was it was an F40, obviously being delivered.
Imagine that call - 'er, sorry sir but there's a bit of a problem with your car (like, now you will never get one)'.
A large wood chipper trailer thing all on it's own careering down the inside lane of the A3, it came to a stop about 4 miles before the driver realised it was missing.
No one was hurt but it could have been nasty
Germany, contraflow, I'm slowly passing a truck in the speed limit zone in a narrow lane, trucks tyre exploded right by my window, I shat myself as truck starts squirming & I have no where to go except forwards, thank god for small Turbo's & 200+ bhp. Car behind was not so lucky.
No one was hurt but it could have been nasty
Germany, contraflow, I'm slowly passing a truck in the speed limit zone in a narrow lane, trucks tyre exploded right by my window, I shat myself as truck starts squirming & I have no where to go except forwards, thank god for small Turbo's & 200+ bhp. Car behind was not so lucky.
Whilst driving down to Daventry last year, a moron in lane 3 decided to take a quick nap at 70+
He hit a road cone that was in place during some central reservation works, sending into the air and onto the north bound carrigeway. I watched as his arms tensed and his head jolted upright and then was amazed how he missed the front of my car as he darted from lane 3 to lane 1 in one swift movement. this lane change was sooooo swift, i don't even think he knew what he'd done.
As he crossed my path in lane 2 he was no more than 2ft in front of me
He hit a road cone that was in place during some central reservation works, sending into the air and onto the north bound carrigeway. I watched as his arms tensed and his head jolted upright and then was amazed how he missed the front of my car as he darted from lane 3 to lane 1 in one swift movement. this lane change was sooooo swift, i don't even think he knew what he'd done.
As he crossed my path in lane 2 he was no more than 2ft in front of me
French autoroute when I was about 16 in the car with the family driven by me Dad: caravan in front starts to wiggle a little then begins oscilating wildly and then swings right round, flips over in the outside lane, detaching itself from the tow bar and sending the towing car sideways across the middle and inside lane. Amazingly, no other vehicle hit either car or caravan and no one was hurt.
German Autobahn ten years ago: I was tonking along in a hired Merc C190 in the in the outside lane. Came around a bend at around 180 km/h to find a car broken down in the outside lane being pushed by two people! ABS and the fact that the Autobahn wasn't too busy allowed me to steer around with my heart in my mouth.
German Autobahn ten years ago: I was tonking along in a hired Merc C190 in the in the outside lane. Came around a bend at around 180 km/h to find a car broken down in the outside lane being pushed by two people! ABS and the fact that the Autobahn wasn't too busy allowed me to steer around with my heart in my mouth.
M6 Shap - Artic blown over onto it's side, hitting the Armco and wedged at an improbable angle on the wheels - 80% hanging over the edge of an embankment. Harmless (even the lorry appeared almost undamaged) but the driver must have c___ed himself
Live animal transporter on fire.
Portacabin trailer, detached from tractor unit and into the 3rd lane of the opposite carraigeway.
Don't think I've ever seen an incident involving serious injury or death, to a human being, on the motorway, I hope it stays that way.
Live animal transporter on fire.
Portacabin trailer, detached from tractor unit and into the 3rd lane of the opposite carraigeway.
Don't think I've ever seen an incident involving serious injury or death, to a human being, on the motorway, I hope it stays that way.
there are 3 that stick out in my mind.
when i was a courier i was coming back from a run upto newcastle,i was on the m1 and as i was coming along past an entry slip i saw a car coming up the inside fast on fire,i slowed down and dropped back slightly as the car shot across 3 lanes,hit the central reservation,came back across the moroway and ended up on the hard shoulder...even though myself and 4 other drivers stopped and tried to help we couldnt get anywhere near the car because of the heat and we didnt see anyone get out.
this i saw when i was driving a 7.5t iveco for a firm at heathrow.i was going to oxford on the a40,as i was approaching oxford i saw a white fiesta courier van half way up an embankment,embedded in a bridge.all its cargo had jettisoned out the rear doors and the car was about half its original size.i doubt if anyone got out of that one.
the worst one was on the a40 at hillingdon.i was sitting talking to a mate at the junction of long lane/master brewer when a lorry pulled across the a40 onto long lane right infront of a motorcycle rider....the biker was dead on impact.
that one was the only one that made me physicly sick.
when i was a courier i was coming back from a run upto newcastle,i was on the m1 and as i was coming along past an entry slip i saw a car coming up the inside fast on fire,i slowed down and dropped back slightly as the car shot across 3 lanes,hit the central reservation,came back across the moroway and ended up on the hard shoulder...even though myself and 4 other drivers stopped and tried to help we couldnt get anywhere near the car because of the heat and we didnt see anyone get out.
this i saw when i was driving a 7.5t iveco for a firm at heathrow.i was going to oxford on the a40,as i was approaching oxford i saw a white fiesta courier van half way up an embankment,embedded in a bridge.all its cargo had jettisoned out the rear doors and the car was about half its original size.i doubt if anyone got out of that one.
the worst one was on the a40 at hillingdon.i was sitting talking to a mate at the junction of long lane/master brewer when a lorry pulled across the a40 onto long lane right infront of a motorcycle rider....the biker was dead on impact.
that one was the only one that made me physicly sick.
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