From William Rennox.
I HAVE nothing but praise for the courtesy and consideration shown normally by Jersey drivers in letting other vehicles pull out of side roads or enter roundabouts, something not usually done to the same extent in the UK.
It is, however, rather worrying that a large number of drivers seem unable to stay on their side of the road. And it is not just the 4×4 monsters which should be barred from Jersey. This happens on straight stretches of road more than wide enough for two buses to pass, never mind standard size cars.
Is this because:
• They have problems with their eyesight – probably the last eye test many had was 40 odd years ago when they passed their driving test?
• They are feeling the effects of one too many drinks at lunchtime?
• They got their driving licence in a lucky-dip bag?
On a serious note, it does worry me when I come across another car coming towards me halfway on my side of the road.
Perhaps a compulsory eye test to obtain the annual insurance disc would help matters.
1 Claremont,
Bagatelle Road,
St Saviour.
Article posted on 3rd November, 2008 - 2.58pm
13 Article Comments
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve just returned to the island from the UK and you’re right, drivers can be incredibly courteous. Having said that, they can also be incredibly dangerous. In the past couple of weeks alone I’ve had to brake hard to avoid people pulling out at speed without looking. One of these occasions was at the roundabout at Five Oaks; I was already on the roundabout and a driver sped through the junction without even looking, completely crossing my path. And today, somebody decided to bump me forward when I was in stationary traffic on my scooter. It’s either one extreme or the other.
I don’t see why everybody shouldn’t be forced to take a driving (and eye) test when they renew their licence.
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Yeah me too sick of these people thinking they own both sides of the road, cutting corners requiring people coming the other way to stop for them so they can get round.
As for the women driving their one or two kids to school can someone explain why they require a 4 x 4 or people carrier to do this job as quite frankly they are the worst. so focused on getting to school they are completely oblivious to the dangers they pose. They clearly cannot judge the width of these types of vehicle or length.
All people carrier drivers and 4 x 4’s of a certain length and width should be forced to do a compulsory test to show they can actually judge the size of their vehicle before being allowed on the road.
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Yellow lines mean you are entering a major road from a minor road.
To halt on a major road when in a moving stream of traffic to let a car out from a minor road is not only is contrary to the highway code but is dangerous, not courteous . It also ruins the traffic flow that an engineer has been paid vast amounts of money to formulate
I spend the majority of my driving time in Jersey driving a 4×4 off road where it is nessesity. I am fed up when on the road following compacts that that are constantly stopping because they are such poor drivers they cannot judge the width of their vehicles (St Aubins inner road )I am fed up with these 4×4 hating Nazis who want us all to conform with their ideas of right vehicles.
Also when we apply for our licences we have to make a declaration that our eyesight is of a required standard.To make a false statement would be an offence,Who needs an eye test now ?
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I am not a 4 X 4 hating nazi far from it so calm yourself down. If you can drive the thing properly then good for you. Its the people who blatently CANNOT judge the size of them and drive in a dangerous manor that is a problem.
Whether you like it or not there is no doubt the larger vehicles (4 x 4 and people carriers), driven by people who are totally unused to driving vehicles of such a size are more to blame than others. They should not be let on the roads without sufficient sense. I mean just look at the smaller people who can barely see over the bonet of these cars, tell me are they really meant to be able to drive them safely.
I have nothing at all against the people who can drive such vehicles safely but I am sorry to say this, the majority cant. In fact I am reminded of the general rule in India where might is right, it would seem that many of these drivers have taken it upon themselves to bring this rule to Jersey.
And as for letting people go, you dont need to worry about that from me as i never let 4 x 4s out.
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Ref: PJG
If we followed your ideas then traffic flow around Jersey would be a nightmare, not letting drivers enter the main traffic stream at rush hour would only cause severe congestion in the side roads. The current good manners shown by Jersey drivers keeps the traffic flowing around the Island.
As regards the 4×4 tractors that rumble round this Island ,they should be banned , and for good reason – the roads are not designed for such vehicles, they are mainly only used as fashion accessories to pose in. The only justifiable reason for having one is if you live or work in a situation requiring you to drive cross country.
As regards eyesight and driving, the point of an eye test is to ensure that the drivers eyesight is up to the task, just asking someone to make a declaration would not identify those whose eyesight had deteriorated over the years, either not detected by them or not acknowledged by them.
Regards
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Bad and thoughtless drivers who have no concept of how their driving impacts on others exist everywhere.Regarding 4X4’s which seem to be the main target so far I have noticed that since moving to rural Lincolnshire there are far fewer of this type of vehicle here than in Jersey which is quite strange.But then look at all the middle aged men driving fast cars in Jersey-what is the point of that also?Whilst I agree that some drivers of large vehicles cannot judge their width/size it can also be said that some drivers of very small vehicles also have the same problem regardless of their age or sex!
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Having driven in many countries, on both the left and right hand side of the road I find that many Jersey drivers out there are amongst the most dangerous. Their courteousness often amounts to just plain dangerous driving. My favourite dangerous driving tactic is where a vehicle comes to a sudden stop to encourage another vehicle accessing the main flow of traffic from a side road, into said traffic, without assessing the oncoming traffic. The ever grateful side road enterer often reads this politeness as a right of way, and sadly often fails to observe oncoming traffic (bang!).
Now for my personal favourite – Those mopeds, motorbikes and last, but not least, those pesky cyclists. The majority of these road users seem to believe they are totally invincible, they have absolute right of way, no matter which side of the road they should be travelling on. They overtake on the left, overtake into oncoming traffic, cut other road users off, ride two or three abreast, and some cyclists drag little children behind them in totally unsafe “carriages”.
Bicycles are not even required to have rear view mirrors, let alone lights! And best of all, you don’t even need a licence (nor it seems common sense) to drive one. Where it is a criminal offence to use a hand held mobile phone in a car, these road users can be seen chatting away whilst driving, munching on a sandwich (often simultaneously) and/or plugged into their iPods. Now, speaking of requiring eye tests, this is where this is definitely required – when it comes to traffic lights, most cyclists can’t tell the difference between green, amber and red, they jump red lights with impunity.
Finally, god forbid, through their sheer arrogance or lack of common sense, you knock down one of these mavericks – they are the untouchables, the ever righteous, they are above the law and break every rule of the road – however, you will “pay” dearly for their folly!
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I am getting sick of hearing from people constantly attacking 4×4 vehicles. If you don’t like them, don’t get one and leave those who do alone. What has happened to choice?
As far as the environmental impact goes I would be pretty sure that the emmisions from a modern 4×4 are nothing when compared to the delightful classic cars we love to see out on a Sunday driving at 10 mh scared of the hedgerows.
I also regularly use a motorcycle for commuting and a bicycle. On the motorcycle you’d be amazed how many motorists don’t think you have any rights, even to live!
On the bicycle, much the same applies and the helpful things like cycle contraflows installed by the states just make us sitting targets. And, you do need lights, at night, funnily enough!
Back to the original point here of inept drivers – I am going to have to say it – most of them are ANCIENT. We need an obligatory re-test at 65 and every renewall after.
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i would welcome a eye test if it was free.
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I completely agree with the people driving across two lanes comment I see it all the time!!
My funniest incident with a 4×4 was when I was traveling down a very thin country road (i drive a smart car so don’t need much space), and a 4×4 was coming the other way. There was a small hill (an entrance to a field) on the right hand side of the 4×4 driver but he wasn’t moving. I put my window and said why don’t you go in there – and his response was ‘My car wasn’t build to go up muddy hills’. I don’t think i’ve ever laughed so much!!
Wat was it built for then??
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Eye tests every 5 years when you have your licence renewed. As for the motorists, cyclists, 4×4,motorbikers…. Just except that you are all entitled to be on the road and just be careful of each other. As for 4×4s i agree that if you are not a farmer why have one? They were built to be off road and for big countries, not a small island like Jersey. All it is is a status thing along with sitting high up to imtimidate other drivers.
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what about drivers who forget to signal when they turn left or right?
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4×4s are far too big for the roads of Jersey and drivers can’t look properly at both sides of the road without sticking 3/4 of their car out onto the road!
If you didn’t let people out the traffic problem would be extreme – as for waving people across; I for one have never done that as leaving a gap in the road is generally a sign that i’m letting them out – it’s up to them to check both sides of the road.
I also ride motorbikes and yes it is our right to overtake (just like everybody elses) and yes if there is a gap in traffic we are LEGALLY allowed to skip through it – we provide far less emisions, use less fuel and are generally a lot safer drivers than those in cars as if we make a mistake we’re likely to have far more serious injuries so those 4×4 Users who are “motorcyclist nazis” should learn how to ride a motorbike as you can’t judge the size of your vehicle incorrectly then!
Finally – EVERYBODY’S eyesight can change over as little as 6 months (or didn’t you know that PJG) Even if you’ve never worn glasses you may need to the year after but if you never check you’ll never know.
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