Driving in modern traffic

[maple_leaf_eh]

A few thoughts come to mind after reading Robin's piece. And we know each other quite well, so his voice is clearly in my head now!

I tend to drive my HMV on secondary roads where the speed limit is 80 kph, and unless absolutely necessary, avoid higher speed limit roads. Not for road safety but because I don't want to be the slow poke at the head of long column of frustrated drivers expecting to go faster.

I have an SMV triangle for my spare tire, as I also have a high-visibility vest to drape over the jerry can. The intent is to be noticed by other drivers. I also have an SMV triangle on my galvanized steel utility trailer, because when towing it, I know the top speed will be at the posted limit for controllability.

We know HMVs on the road are a spectacle for others on the road, and they gawk. In the military I used to warn drivers they had to drive their 2 1/2-t truck with all its behaviours and remember to think for the person in their 4-door rattletrap car. There are always stories of drivers spearing their windshields while fixating on the muzzle of a towed 105-mm gun moving from one site to another.

Bob rightly mentions visibility inside the cab and especially with RHD vehicles. Other than beacons lights or illuminated placards, how else are approved road users expected to warn other drivers to share the road?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

All valid points! Next to obvious technical upgrades - see e.g. Streetable CMP truck - one needs to adjust driving habits and style.

Personally I find a Jeep too small to drive onto the main (high)ways, a 3/4-ton truck has much more presence on the road, even if driving slower than most traffic. Having said that, I recall a GMC DUKW was involved in an accident in the UK many years ago. A large car driving at speed hit it from behind, flipping over the DUKW because of its undercut hull shape, and people got killed...

[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.