Driving in modern traffic

[maple_leaf_eh]

I should mention that 'implements of husbandry' signage isn't necessarily a free-pass to do anything on the road. John Grainger and I were moving two vehicles from his yard to an event. Maybe it was Mike Calnan's Canada Day parade? Him in his Iltis, and me following in a diesel 5/4t or CUCV. Head lights on, as is my driving custom. We were moving together but not in close tandem, and approached a wagon piled high with hay bales. It pulled over to the shoulder, and John passed. As I was approaching to pass, the hay wagon pulled across in front of me into an entrance! I locked up the brakes, smoked the tires, even momentarily contemplated taking the ditch! Anything to avoid a collision. I was pleased to avoid damaging someone else's carefully maintained HMV.

[Philliphastings]

I don’t really know what to say...

I’m an active member of a WW2 Jeep club here in Australia and although I don’t currently drive one (At 6’6 and 140 kg I’m building one with custom features) I do travel a fair bit in them

I’m not aware of any actual issues which would cause any of our members to give up driving their Jeeps rain, Hail or shine through hundreds or even thousands of miles of public roads.

As long as one is aware of the vehicles’s limitations and is a diligent and defensive driver accidents are rare.

Of course there are near misses from other less skilled or less caring drivers, but I get that even in my modern Toyota Landcruiser.

Just my thoughts but I do find it sad to think of enthusiasts giving up on their belived vehicles our wonderful hobby out of fear of the unknown.

‘Drive them Jeeps’

Cheers

Phill

[Ed Williamson]

When I drive my GPW I have a red flashing light on the spare tire It is the type that bicycles use. It is an LED light and very bright and I checked with local law and its legal.

[Paul Singleton]

Just be aware that it is illegal to display the slow moving vehicle triangle on a vehicle that is capable of a sustained speed of more than 40 kph. When I was still working one of our grass cutting crews was inspected on the roadside. The commercial riding mower was on the trailer with an SMV triangle and the MTO inspector wanted the sign removed or covered so it wasn’t visible. The inspector claimed that because the slow moving sign was visible it applies to the truck and trailer also. The SMV sign was a decal on the mower and not removable, so the operator unloaded the mower and loaded it the other way round onto the trailer.
The fine apparently could have been $350!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Paul Singleton

Just be aware that it is illegal to display the slow moving vehicle triangle on a vehicle that is capable of a sustained speed of more than 40 kph. .....

This become a problem for vehicles that are legal on the roads, can travel faster than 40-kph, but not at the maximum speed limit. The in-between solution seems to be a flashing red or yellow light to warn approaching drivers without breaking too many highway traffic act rules.

[Robin Craig]

Paul, the situation you mention is very common and MTO inspectors are very hot on that one, some cops are also but it varies. Having worked in the agricultural industry it was a common problem when switching the prime mover for pieces of farm equipment AKA Implements of Husbandry. I agree with their enforcement and the arresting of drift in their usage. We moved spreaders between farms as they were owned by the Ag / Chem suppliers and drawn loaded by tractors but we shuttled them between jobs using pick ups. As a farm we were a commercial business and our pick ups were run under the CVOR program and fines are possible for both the drivers and the company. So displaying an SMV sign and traveling at more than 40 kph was a challenge. We used 2 inch wide rolls of masking tape to obscure the SMV sign that was bolted to the spreader. That was acceptable and a pragmatic solution. To all of you, the rules of the road are there for our joint safety. Our common sense should also aide us in making good decisions. Yes, this is a hobby horse for me,

[Barry Churcher]

I commute 200 km every day to work and back on the 401, the world’s busiest highway. (Wikepedia) I travel at 120 km and the speed limit is 100 km for ALL lanes. I travel in the right lane predominately as the speed in the center lane is 130kph and the hammer lane is 140. There are accidents galore and you are not safe. People drive so erratic everywhere now it is unbelievable. I make a few extra bucks when the combines go down my rural road and take up the whole driving surface. That’s when the citidiots try to sqeeeeze past and end up in the ditch. I get to tow them out with my tractor. I have been stopped twice by the police for having flashing yellow lights. Once with the tow truck with a car on the back but not at an accident and once with my M1010. I was a visual distraction apparently. I was told to shut those lights off. After all that I guess there is no easy answer. Are you willing to take a chance? Les Fisher drives his nice stock Dodge Command Car on the 401 and the toll 407 regularly and other than the odd middle finger has no problems.