Learning Point 422 | Leave Space Opposite When Queueing

When queueing, try and think of the space vehicles from the opposite direction will need to keep flowing.

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[rogerkearns]

Yes, I do that. Some drivers don't get it, though, and come past from behind, if they can.

[orraman]

That's one way of testing how good your washing powder is at getting out stains.

[paulmarsy]

Thanks Ashley for sharing my video, hard to believe it has been around a year since I sent this in, along with having a chat about it on Twitter. I was somewhat unsure where the best place to stop was, I did have three areas in mind, just in front of where you suggested, (30 road painted sign), on the 30mph sign, or in front of the first road works sign, not past it. For some reason I elected against my better judgement and stopped opposite those parked cars, with the full intension of moving if necessary, for a large van or HGV, that would have been moving around 20mph. I am glad that I did the 'wrong' thing as that HGV actually drove partly over the painted 30 sign on the road even with the trailer, as I saw it pass in my wing mirror. I think that if I had stopped where you suggested and my initial thought/s at that speed would the HGV driver have enough time and space to slow and manoeuvre, I don't think the driver would have done, even though they had space. Most probably if they had been driving slower. However you can see just how close the HGV was to the car in front, just several inches. Also the traffic lights were set as to the regulations which were used as a minimum, and not much thought was put into other vehicles that where most likely parked on the road, at the time of set up.

[phil_d]

This happens all the time at busy junctions, where parking is double sided or staggered. People seldom look further than the car in front of them and cause more problems! If you do pull in, you often get the car behind pull out and overtake.

I hate driving most of the time now.

[bmused]

Yup, I've come across identical situations and always have held back. Sadly on one occasion the muppet behind me in a Golf decided he should fill the gap. And as if scripted, a bus come the other way. Grid lock.

[sassyboofle]

If oncoming cannot get through neither will you 👍

[thromboid]

That lorry driver may well have known exactly how much space they had, but I'd have been holding my breath too!

[ukeleleEric]

As a bus driver, it amazes me how often people waiting in queues don't think of this. If you stay back or over to the left, when I come the other way, I can get through quicker, and then you'll be on your way quicker as well. The number of times there's a queue and one (usually small vehicle, usually car) is right on the white line when most of the rest are further over.

[thomaselliot]

Good point worth bringing to everyone's attention.

[smilerbob]

I did see a nice one yesterday while I was walking.

We have some roadworks with temporary lights that lead up to a busy junction. As expected, there are many drivers that follow the car in front on a green light only to find the road further up is blocked so they cannot clear the roadworks. It happens and I have done it myself in other places where you can't hold back until the car in front clears

However, yesterday this was happening and a van that was already on the other side of the road as if to commit fully into the roadworks, saw the brake lights appearing in front and aborted going through. Yes, they stopped slightly in front of the traffic lights but stopped themselves and at least three other cars behind tagging through.

I thought to myself that was nice driving and good observations, even if it did frustrate the driver behind who was not happy when the lights changed to red

[jfergs.]

Wow, lorry guy was a man on a mission...

[shauntronics]

Very good point there @Ashley, I have literally just had the same situation in Kingskerswell in Devon. A driver had stopped in between the traffic calming bollards but just over the centre line so he could "see what was happening in front"... He only moved when hr noticed the rear overhang of my wagon heading for his front bumper. Vote Ashley Neal for transport minister in the upcoming elections 😁

[David-kmin]

Totally agree, leave space. But I can see the cue jumpers pushing in and filling the gap.
Nice informative video as usual. All the best.

[frogandspanner]

It used to be that road works with lights had to be signed off by a qualified Civil/Transport Engineer, who would have prevented parking such as seen here. Now that Thomas, Richard and Harold are permitted to set up traffic lights this kind of poor design is common.

In circumstances like this I stop with plenty of space ahead, but position close to or even over the centre line to discourage vehicles from behind passing then, with sufficient space ahead, move to the left when oncoming traffic appears.

[smilerbob]

Nice clip showing lack of forward planning from two road users, that was no way to force priority through there but wouldn’t have been needed if space was left

I remember having a similar conversation last year when I left a large gap while waiting for temporary lights ahead. I explained that lorries use the road and need more space than cars to manoeuvre and right on Ashley Psychic queue, a lorry appeared and didn’t have to slow to navigate the obstructions

But it isn’t always temporary lights, normal busy roads have this problem as well especially when tagging is introduced

[Dongfloppy]

As a HGV driver I get car drivers pulling into the side and flashing me through when they could just continue on and make life a lot easier for everyone

[smash]

There's a pinch point on a dual carriageway I was nearly squashed by a tractor on when learning to drive. Yesterday I held back so a coach could go passed it in the inside lane. He thanked me and I was chuffed he knew what I'd done. Yay.

[johndd]

Being a relatively new driver (2 years), I also make this mistake now and then, more so at junctions.

Thanks for the reminder 😊

[drahcirnevarc]

I had a really nice bike ride this morning, from my home in Bristol out to Severn Beach and back - about 20 miles in all. No hurry and lots of pleasant interactions with pedestrians, motorists, careful and considerate lorry drivers, and a few fellow cyclists.

[Bobtek]

Beautiful little village by the way, wherever it is.