General Chat

I don't have a 4WD and don't object to anyone else having one. I do reverse into my driveway though when given the opportunity (the man across the road has a big van and doesn't care where he parks it). My only objection to drivers of all vehicles is WHY DON'T YOU USE YOUR BL**DY INDICATORS. There I've said it and I feel better. Julie xxx

I didn't know we should reverse into our drives, suspect a lot of others don't know either!! However, perhaps it is safer not to have the engine facing out towards the road, bearing in mind the stupid drunks wending their way home from the pub at night, who might just throw a lit match at the bonnet? And yes, I can reverse! Do it when I have a load of food shopping to unload....been driving 45 years, can do parallel parking too! Lily (bragging)

Sioux - how do you feel about 'bull' bars on the front of your vehicle? These can do terrible damage if in collision with a child.... Lily (forgot to mention this!)

I am fed up with people moaning about 4x4. I also live in a very rural area, have 2 very large dogs, son and his bike. I have driven big 4x4 before ie Range Rover and Terrano but now have a Subaru, its not much bigger than an estate car. Why should I have to pay more road tax. Yes I have a choice about where I live, what size dogs I have and whether son can take his bike out, but what does it matter to anyone else? I have driven off road before, but only on organised events, I don't go greenlaning either. Someone else mentioned sports cars - I agree, they can be more of a danger to pedestrians and road users, especially when driven by youngsters without the experience to handle such cars.

Lily Very glad to hear you can reverse ;~) Perhaps having passed your test 45 years ago, it would be a good idea to reaquaint yourself with the highway code, then you would be aware on the reversing law *tongue in cheek* In reply to your question, you have to put it into context. I believe the majority of urban 4x4's that never leave the city and being on the motorway is as close to off roading they get should NOT be fitted with bull bars. They're unneccessary. But, we DO have them fitted to our vehicle. It came with them fitted. Older vehicles can still have them but, I belive newer ones cannot. We were woken at 3 in the morning by a Policeman enquiring if the field of sheep next to the house were ours as some had got loose and a van had ploughed into, and killed 3 of them on the road next to us. The van driver was lucky to have kept control, but his vehicle was a right off. He had the inconvenience of interuption to his business etc, all because of some inconsiderate farmer not keeping his stock under control (and the farmer would have simply claimed on insurance Grr) The reason I tell this story is, as an example .... if he'd had bull bars, his vehicle would have survived. Same consequence and outcome for the farmer. There's a time and a use for every item, it doesn't mean an item will be used appropriately. All I can say is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. If we were each as concerned about ourselves, as we are about everybody else, then there would be no need to be concerned about anybody else!!! Safe driving XX Sioux

No farmer would leave his gates open so that his livestock could stray. If drivers drove as if they expected stray animals - or children - to be in the road, day or night............ len

Don't be so bloody obtuse Len! at 3 in the morning in the pitch dark on a windy road in Wales ..... you don't expect to see a flock (and yes it was a whole flock) of sheep. Show's you're a townie! You drive according to road conditions! Good Night Sioux

Peter, next time you go to the supermarket, have a look at how many cars park across white lines taking up two spaces. I see this every week and, ok, i'm in a landrover, but am quite capable of parking between two lines. Dont just blame the 4x4 driver for bad parking because that's just nonsense, there's bad parking everywhere by all vehicles. It's not what you are driving, but how you drive it.

Sioux Dear Sir or is it Madam ? Did you not have your lights on? Were you driving safely for the conditions? (answer must be no) Were you perhaps a little sleepy? I am not a townie,live in a village, have driven a variety of vehicles from motor bikes to army lorries, even a bus. I have driven in most western European countries. My known, logged mileage in my own vehicles is over a quarter of a million miles, have never made an insurance claim nor had one made against me and have never had an endorsement on my licence (except to say which class of vehicle I am licensed to drive). Ask for facts before assuming them. len

Len I bet you didn't expect such a debate when you posted this thread (well it takes all sorts ) howard

All cars should be banned……… Except mine of course. (and Two Jags Prescott) I can drive what I like where I like and the rest of you should stay at home. If I want to abandon my car on a crossing outside the supermarket then it’s my right No nonsense about bikes either please ‘cos they are a menace too. Busses are OK but they should pull over when they see me coming. Bob

You are quite right, Howard. Life is full of surprises. The person who taught me to drive said 'I have a bucket of water in the the boot and I don't want you to slop any. And always drive expecting to find a herd of cows round the next corner'. len

Bull bars are only a danger if you hit someone. If you drive responsibly you won't hit someone. Simple really. However, even here in Essex there are quite a few deer around which get onto the roads. (I've had one right in front of me more than once when I've been on a motorbike: not funny!) If you hit a deer in a normal car you are quite likely dead. Bull bars would probably save your life.

WRITE-off? It's us poor relations with our normal-sized cars that get written off by the larger vehicles, most of the time! Sioux - I really MUST read the Highway Code again, it must be riveting! However, bombing up and down M6/M5/M42 at the moment to care for ailing rellies isn't leaving me much time, but thanks for the advice! Glad to hear that all younger drivers are so clued up on the laws of the highway.... Lily (tongue firmly fixed in cheek and duly chastised)

souix my hubbys range rover is a new model and it DOESNT have bull bars!! they are optional extras and he doesnt require bolt on goodies to make him a boy racer. he is 47 years old not 17!! ok then.when you are snowed in next winter and your car gets stuck in a drift,who is it that is kind enough to pull you out? a 4x4 owner,is it not? without our 4x4 we wouldnt be able to tow our 27ft caravan would we lol it would look rather silly on the back of a mini! susie

Hello again, Len. You have stirred up a hornets' nest here. It is interesting to see the range of responses, from petty spite to self-justified righteousness. My own opinion (for what it is worth) is that there are many 4x4 drivers who seem to think that having a 4x4 puts them above many traffic laws - I have even seen one park across the road outside a school, apparently to stop traffic so that his little one could get out safely! I am more inclined to agree with Bob from Worcester's sauciness (groan! - and I can do even worse puns!) - all other drivers should be banned, apart from me. Rob

Thanx Sioux! You have opened my eyes! I didn't realise that there is a different Highway Code for owners of ''people carriers'. They were lined up, half on the pavement, on double yellow lines outside our Town's Post Office, on the very busy main road...as I walked past this morning, and not a traffic warden in sight! Why do I think I should walk from a car park? Living in Trafford (most expensive area in the North West), in a modest three-bed semi I know 'my place'! Thanx again for enlightening me, I'll shut up now!! Lily

I like the American idea of turning all your journeys carbon neutral by planting trees for each road or air mile you do. An acquaintance of mine has a 4x4 that is absolutely enormous - it reminds me of an office block, lol. All mod cons and a dvd player included. She does the carbon neutral thing so she's got the best of all worlds: the car she really wants and has worked hard to get AND knowing she isn't damaging the environment by using it.

I think people should drive the car they want,this is still a country of 'Freedom of Choice' ( I think) I drive a Jaguar,When people pay for it,and run it,then they can tell me what to do,untill then they can'Sod Off'.A nice sticker to put on the back of cars would be,'No,I don,t own the road,But I,ve Bl--dy well paid for most of it. And 'Souix' Please get off the Warpath.The battle of the little big horn was years ago,against the 7th,cavalry.Best wishes to all, Hal.(The Gas Guzzler Driver)

harold i LOVE you!!!! i totally agree. hubby works hard to earn his money,so why shouldnt he spend it how he wants. we arent hurting anybody by having a big car. if we want to spend our money on petrol instead of posh holidays then its our choice. susie