Discussion
Following a post from Street on another thread:
What is your first thought when you see a flashing light in the distance(be honest!), and what do you do?
Interested to get the public view of something I have very strong views on.
Steve
streetcop said:
I was referring to the amount of yellow light users there are nowadays:
1) Recovery trucks
2) Motorway Maintenance
3) Highways Agency
4) Bus Shelter cleaners
5) Council Lawnmowers
6) British Telecom
7) Gas Companies
8) Electricity Companies
9) Water companies
10) occasional disability vehicles
What is your first thought when you see a flashing light in the distance(be honest!), and what do you do?
Interested to get the public view of something I have very strong views on.
Steve
NugentS said:
To me it means that their is a potential obstruction in the road - ie parked in a non-sensible place or large load etc
It just means be careful to me...
Sean
I'll be more aware of what the traffic is doing, and leave a bigger space in front of me. If it's on a dual/m'way I'll be thinking about giving the inside lane some space to manoeuvre. Flashing lights are just another clue that things aren't running as well as they should, like brake lights and bunching traffic ahead.
If it is on a vehicle that is driving along, and has no abnormal load I think 'Another d
d has forgotten to turn the warning lights off..again' 
One morning a few months ago I was driving to work following a refuse truck. The road becomes restricted to under 6 tonnes and he did not turn off as expected. Instead he turned on the amber flashers and drove straight through the restricted section, reached the other end and turned them off. Really taking the p***.
To me they are to warn of an abnormal load, or a danger in the road, such as a skip lorry maneuvering to drop or pick up a skip, a refuse lorry collecting rubbish, a recovery truck loading a broken down vehicle etc.
d has forgotten to turn the warning lights off..again' One morning a few months ago I was driving to work following a refuse truck. The road becomes restricted to under 6 tonnes and he did not turn off as expected. Instead he turned on the amber flashers and drove straight through the restricted section, reached the other end and turned them off. Really taking the p***.
To me they are to warn of an abnormal load, or a danger in the road, such as a skip lorry maneuvering to drop or pick up a skip, a refuse lorry collecting rubbish, a recovery truck loading a broken down vehicle etc.
Depends what the beacon is attached to...
Wide or slow moving vehicle - Hang back until it's safe to pass.
Works ongoing in the carriageway - should i state the obvious?...
Muppet in tow-truck / BT / cableCo / British Gas Van or other vehicle moving along at normal pace and not doing anything of note - ignore em and carry on as normal.
Wide or slow moving vehicle - Hang back until it's safe to pass.
Works ongoing in the carriageway - should i state the obvious?...
Muppet in tow-truck / BT / cableCo / British Gas Van or other vehicle moving along at normal pace and not doing anything of note - ignore em and carry on as normal.
Streetcop said:
Anyone can..
Nope - it's defined in the RVLR 1989 who can use amber lights:
RVLR 9189 said:
(i) a road clearance vehicle;
(ii) a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii) a breakdown vehicle;
(iv) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v) a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi) a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii) a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii) a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
(ix) a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(x) a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi) a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii) a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;
Note that a safety camera van which doesn't also load/unload fixed cameras would be breaking the law by displaying an amber beacon.
Gareth
>> Edited by g_attrill on Saturday 21st August 22:46
g_attrill said:
Anyone can..
Nope - it's defined in the RVLR 1989 who can use amber lights:
RVLR 9189 said:
(i) a road clearance vehicle;
(ii) a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii) a breakdown vehicle;
(iv) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v) a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi) a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii) a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii) a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
(ix) a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(x) a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi) a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii) a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;
Note that a safety camera van which doesn't also load/unload fixed cameras would be breaking the law by displaying an amber beacon.
Gareth
Point worth mentioning is that the obligation to show beacons varies between normal roads and unrestricted dual carriageways. Thus, for example, if your granny was of a mind to take her invalid carriage down a dual she must have a warning beacon fitted.
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