Safe Speed Forums

Last week I went on a trip with my boss for the day. On the way home on A14 the traffic was lousy, start stop, more stop that start. They was much LGV's heading to Felixstowe and I noticed one had a flat tyre on the right outside driver.

Should I have tried to attract his attention to tell him or would doing so landed me as passenger in some kind of legal lumber?

Yes, a bit. Don't knock yourself out unless it looks bad; we are not our brothers' keepers. If it looks
very dangerous, call the cops. If you don't, and he kills someone, it would be YOUR fault.

Not sure I understand. You might have got some funny looks from the driver but I doubt it could have landed you in legal trouble! I had the same thing on my way into Glasgow along the M8 one morning. There was a low loader next to me with a dumper truck on the back. One of the dumper tyres had broken through a wooden plank on the trailer and it was rubbing along the top of the trailer tyre underneath. There was plenty of smoke coming off it and I tried tooting and waving and pointing back at the trailer but the guy in the cab (I was on his inside) just looked at me as if I was some kind of nutter!

Ever since I started carrying a "tire checker", this has become a lot easier to communicate to truckers. (It looks like a bat, but about half as long, and like a bastard sword, can be effectively wielded one handed or double handed.)

Just hold up the tire bat, and point to the tire - make sure you are already on the correct side.

(It's a convenient way to carry a small bat, plus if you develop a very good ear, you really can use it to check tires.)

I guess the other 'semaphore signal' would be holding up a tire pressure gauge?

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The Rules for ALL ROAD USERS:
1) No one gets hurt
2) Nothing gets hit, except to protect others; see Rule#1
3) The Laws of Physics are invincible and immutable - so-called 'laws' of men are not
4) You are always immediately and ultimately responsible for your safety first, then proximately responsible for everyone's
Do not let other road users' mistakes become yours, nor yours become others
5) The rest, including laws of the land, is thoughtful observation, prescience, etiquette, decorum, and cooperation

Yes, but after 25 people had done the same thing, it would begin to dawn on him (no matter how dim his bulb) that something is amiss.

Plus, it wouldn't take 25 repetitions the next time he had the same problem.

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The Rules for ALL ROAD USERS:
1) No one gets hurt
2) Nothing gets hit, except to protect others; see Rule#1
3) The Laws of Physics are invincible and immutable - so-called 'laws' of men are not
4) You are always immediately and ultimately responsible for your safety first, then proximately responsible for everyone's
Do not let other road users' mistakes become yours, nor yours become others
5) The rest, including laws of the land, is thoughtful observation, prescience, etiquette, decorum, and cooperation

Whilst we are never there to ever 'teach' other road users, I do think that if I can ever safely inform another driver of a problem with their vehicle (or trailer etc) then I would.

I the above scene you state that the traffic was more stop than start, so I would await for the next beginning 'stop' and be ready have ensured no bikes etc going doen the traffic line gaps, and been on his drivers side tooted as I stopped then leapt out and told him .... as all has just stopped it gives him the opportunity too to check out the problem. With a passenger on board I would get them to go - still tooting as we stopped. That may allow the opportunity to not get out as the driver woudl hopefully open his window too ....
If you prefer NOT to exit your car (I can think of a host of reasons) then write it on paper - FLAT TYRE, and toot as you and he stop - you stopping next to him - even if you have space in front of you (any car behind will likely 'get it' in a bit), and hold up the 'note' - through the sun roof is good if appropriate or even out your own driver's window holding the note above the roof of the car ....

Knocking on his door if he really hasn't seen you will get his/her attention, but I would never climb onto any part of his vehicle.
I would try to do this as fast as possible.

I have pointed and honked people for flat tyres mostly ...usually a toot before, I get beside them, or from behind too .....

I overtook a tractor once where the chap had fallen asleep - his beginning drifting had already alerted me to a potential problem and I honked as I was just getting ahead of his 'rig', it had the exact desired effect - he sat bolt upright and corrected the steering. I had taken a very fast initial overtake from a safe position and correct gear selected etc ...

I only ever report serious 'drifters' to Cops, as there could be so many reasons that I would never wish to tackle by myself.
One 'drifter' which Paul & I put down to the 'tired drift' for sure stopped at a Tesco where we were going to and I went up to him and asked if he had a problem with his steering (knowing for 99% sure that he didn't!) and he was a very big chap too ! And he said that he was really tired. I expressed my concern and he was grateful for this and I wished him well and a good sleep soon!
In the summer we get many tired drivers around here.

I would not feel responsible if I hadn't told someone at all, as every driver has to take responsibility for their vehicle. Just because you didn't notify someone, it cannot ever make you responsible for any resulting event. It is human nature to feel responsible if we could have done something to help prevent any unfortunate event. I certainly try sensible and safe procedures.

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Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

A few months ago I had a rapid deflation/puncture/blowout or something travelling at about 90 in the outside lane with Mrs and Master CE in the car. The first i knew something was up was that this DB9 behnd was flashing me furiously.

I have to admit was 'what's this t*sser'up to but it very quickly became apparent.

i was able to get to the hard shoulder safely i'm sure the guy aided that. I han'd felt anything until after he'd got my attention.

Is your car FWD and was it in a front tyre by chance ?

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Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.