Road Safety

[Fisherman]

Just read a letter on MMM and it horrified me, I cannot believe that they published it.

Basically this character reckons that someone sleeping in the rear of a van in motion is safer than someone secured and facing an airbag.
You're not. He also seems to dislike airbags, talking about the "good old days" before they were fitted into vehicles.
Yes I remember well "the good old days" when cars had no seatbelts, or headrests, I sadly witnessed the end result many times, a broken neck and another fatality to add to the road death statistics. Make sure your head rest is set up properly, it can save your life. This guy seems to think that the only type of accident involves a head on collision. On motorways they are rare, most collisions being rear shunts and side impacts. He also reckons its ok for his sleeping beauty in the rear bed to go to the toilet whilst moving, crazy. I wont bore you all about legalities here, I am sure you all know them.

Let me explain what happens to the human body if insecure in a vehicle when it comes to a sudden stop. The vehicle stops, but you and everything insecure within your vehicle keeps going. Allowing a rear passenger to sit without wearing a seatbelt can prove fatal for the driver or your front passenger. He also complained about his 12v being automatically turned of whilst driving, meaning no SOG, and no water for the toilet. He blamed it on, and I quote an "EU Commandment". Strange all of my three vans were European and none of them turned off the 12v whilst driving.

After reading this I had to send an email to MMM pointing out that they should have at least replied to this letter, I also questioned should they have published at all.

Honestly, please take my advice when the vans in motion wear your seatbelt, and if you need the loo stop the van somewhere and do your business.
Also not wearing a seatbelt with an active airbag in front of you is extremely dangerous. you don't want to be thrown towards the airbag as it actuates. It then changes from a piece of safety equipment, into a lethal hazard.

Drive safely.

 

[guerdeval]

Just read a letter on MMM and it horrified me, I cannot believe that they published it.

Basically this character reckons that someone sleeping in the rear of a van in motion is safer than someone secured and facing an airbag.
You're not. He also seems to dislike airbags, talking about the "good old days" before they were fitted into vehicles.
Yes I remember well "the good old days" when cars had no seatbelts, or headrests, I sadly witnessed the end result many times, a broken neck and another fatality to add to the road death statistics. Make sure your head rest is set up properly, it can save your life. This guy seems to think that the only type of accident involves a head on collision. On motorways they are rare, most collisions being rear shunts and side impacts. He also reckons its ok for his sleeping beauty in the rear bed to go to the toilet whilst moving, crazy. I wont bore you all about legalities here, I am sure you all know them.

Let me explain what happens to the human body if insecure in a vehicle when it comes to a sudden stop. The vehicle stops, but you and everything insecure within your vehicle keeps going. Allowing a rear passenger to sit without wearing a seatbelt can prove fatal for the driver or your front passenger. He also complained about his 12v being automatically turned of whilst driving, meaning no SOG, and no water for the toilet. He blamed it on, and I quote an "EU Commandment". Strange all of my three vans were European and none of them turned off the 12v whilst driving.

After reading this I had to send an email to MMM pointing out that they should have at least replied to this letter, I also questioned should they have published at all.

Honestly, please take my advice when the vans in motion wear your seatbelt, and if you need the loo stop the van somewhere and do your business.
Also not wearing a seatbelt with an active airbag in front of you is extremely dangerous. you don't want to be thrown towards the airbag as it actuates. It then changes from a piece of safety equipment, into a lethal hazard.

Drive safely.

I think he may have meant the consumer unit (mines Sargent) turns off when the ignition is on which is as per regulations, don’t forget ‘flying dogs’ too in the event of an accident.

 

[trevskoda]

Never mind vans, i see lots of g parents briging we johny/jill to school in rear with no belts or child seats, one chap arrived every day in a guinnes van with a small boy in front seat with no belt.
Saw travelers stop ther small van outside chippy and about 6 or 7 big lads all pilled out, it was a 2 seater car van.

 

[Fisherman]

Never mind vans, i see lots of g parents briging we johny/jill to school in rear with no belts or child seats, one chap arrived every day in a guinnes van with a small boy in front seat with no belt.
Saw travelers stop ther small van outside chippy and about 6 or 7 big lads all pilled out, it was a 2 seater car van.

They need to see what I saw many times Trev.
Honestly it’s gut wrenching.
I was once told by a driver that he would be ok because he had the steering wheel to hold on to. Prior to power steering those large solid steering wheels were killers.
When driving I have my seat as far back as it goes. The further away from the dash the better.

 

[colinm]

"All publicity is good publicity", I did skip through the mag online via my library, but didn't clock the letter as I don't usually bother with the letters section. I'll have a read then poke Daniel about it.

 

[barryd]

Just what are the legalities of going to the loo in your van while you are no the move? Obviously you can do it on a coach so what about a motorhome? Mrs D has now and again had to go but so far I've resisted myself figuring it wouldnt be wise for the driver to nip down the back remembering that story of the bloke in America who sued the RV company when his RV crashed after he turned on the cruise control and went to make a cup of tea. Or something like that. Probably made up.

 

[Fisherman]

Just what are the legalities of going to the loo in your van while you are no the move? Obviously you can do it on a coach so what about a motorhome? Mrs D has now and again had to go but so far I've resisted myself figuring it wouldnt be wise for the driver to nip down the back remembering that story of the bloke in America who sued the RV company when his RV crashed after he turned on the cruise control and went to make a cup of tea. Or something like that. Probably made up.

you can legally use the toilet, but it’s not recommended for safety reasons. But sleeping in the bed is against the law. But busses are much larger heavier vehicles, and it’s safer to do so, hence why wearing seatbelts on buses is not mandatory.

 

[barryd]

you can legally use the toilet, but it’s not recommended for safety reasons. But sleeping in the bed is against the law. But busses are much larger heavier vehicles, and it’s safer to do so, hence why wearing seatbelts on buses is not mandatory.

I bet we broke all sorts of rule back in the day in camper vans. 9 or 10 of us used to meet up at Holyhead and pile in a 1967 Commer Caravanette and drive all the way to the Shannon in it. I can remember kipping in the back of a VW camper all the way from Dundee to Penrith once. I only woke up because the flaming thing broke down. We just opened the beers and waited for the AA.

 

[maingate]

Just what are the legalities of going to the loo in your van while you are no the move?

It can be dangerous. We were stuck in a huge traffic jam on the A1 Northbound and I was desperate for a pee. I told the Wife (who had never driven the van at all) to sit in the drivers seat and to just let the van roll slowly forward if the traffic was edging forward (we were on a slight downslope). I was having a pee when I felt the van edge forward. then she slammed the brake pedal down and my forehead hit the cupboard above the toilet. That event may account for my brain damage.

 

[Fisherman]

I bet we broke all sorts of rule back in the day in camper vans. 9 or 10 of us used to meet up at Holyhead and pile in a 1967 Commer Caravanette and drive all the way to the Shannon in it. I can remember kipping in the back of a VW camper all the way from Dundee to Penrith once. I only woke up because the flaming thing broke down. We just opened the beers and waited for the AA.

Barry I suppose having to witness what I did and at a young age takes its toll.
I was only 19 when I attended my first RTA fatality.
Sadly over the years I witnessed some tragic things.
I used to hate getting turned out to them, more than fires.
Hence why I feel the way I do.

 

[barryd]

Barry I suppose having to witness what I did and at a young age takes its toll.
I was only 19 when I attended my first RTA fatality.
Sadly over the years I witnessed some tragic things.
I used to hate getting turned out to them, more than fires.
Hence why I feel the way I do.

Sorry to make light of a serious topic Bill. I cringe a bit when I think of the daft stuff we did in vehicles when we were young.

 

[Fisherman]

Sorry to make light of a serious topic Bill. I cringe a bit when I think of the daft stuff we did in vehicles when we were young.

Don’t be daft Barry, no apology required.
We all did daft things when we were young, me included.
Ral still thinks he’s young

 

[trevskoda]

They need to see what I saw many times Trev.
Honestly it’s gut wrenching.
I was once told by a driver that he would be ok because he had the steering wheel to hold on to. Prior to power steering those large solid steering wheels were killers.
When driving I have my seat as far back as it goes. The further away from the dash the better.

Correct. arms almost at full stretch and same with legs when the clutch is pressed, look at the way a f one race car driver is seated well back.
To many sit hunched up almost on the s wheel which leaves no control, my g father used to call them parrots on ther perch.

 

[campervanannie]

Well this is my car from about 5/6 yrs ago when someone side swiped me sending me spinning into a lamppost I believe the seatbelt and airbag saved my life

 

[trevskoda]

you can legally use the toilet, but it’s not recommended for safety reasons. But sleeping in the bed is against the law. But busses are much larger heavier vehicles, and it’s safer to do so, hence why wearing seatbelts on buses is not mandatory.

If it hits something you will be sent flying, weight has nothing to do with it.

 

[colinm]

Correct. arms almost at full stretch and same with legs when the clutch is pressed, look at the way a f one race car driver is seated well back.
To many sit hunched up almost on the s wheel which leaves no control, my g father used to call them parrots on ther perch.

How long since you've sat in a f1 car? I sat in one couple of years ago, I doubt my arms are longer than any f1 drivers and the 'wheel' was very close, same as rally drivers now.

 

[trevskoda]

How long since you've sat in a f1 car? I sat in one couple of years ago, I doubt my arms are longer than any f1 drivers and the 'wheel' was very close, same as rally drivers now.

Impossable to steer correct if in a spin. arms would be tangled like spegetty LOL.

 

[mark61]

Impossable to steer correct if in a spin. arms would be tangled like spegetty LOL.

Could be the reason you are in a spin.

 

[colinm]

Impossable to steer correct if in a spin. arms would be tangled like spegetty LOL.

You'd think world champions would know better, but they sit 'close' to the steering wheel, you need to put them right.

 

[Fisherman]

If it hits something you will be sent flying, weight has nothing to do with it.

Ok Trev take your pick a Fiat 500 or a bus, what one would you prefer to be in in a head on accident. Believe me the lighter vehicle absorbs more of the energy when it comes in contact with the heavier vehicle.
But you are correct about what happens inside the bus. When provided I always use the seatbelt on a bus. But very few do.