One thing if the oncoming driver is reversing for you: Keep a very respectful distance away from them whilst they reverse. This demonstrates to them your patience and appreciation for their reverse and also doesn't put any pressure on them. Bear in mind also if they make a bit of a hash of their reverse (getting too close to a hedge for example), they may need room to move forwards to correct things before reversing again. And it goes without saying to always Thank them for their reverse as you pass by them. I sometimes even wind my window to say Thank You if I see they have their window down.
@@smash461986 I have a habit of turning my own lights off to reverse my i20 if I'm close to something. Stops the reflected light blinding me, making it's poxy single reverse light (the other side has a rear fog light in the same position) actually usable. So I completely see what you're saying. An external light source would make it very difficult to reverse my car in the dark.
what bugs me is when people think they are entitled on these narrow roads and when you pull over to one side for them, they don't say thank you. Manners cost nothing to everyone.
Agreed….snooty twats driving by with their nose in the air like Lord and Master, with zero acknowledgment. Makes you wish you hadn’t pulled over for them. And yes…good manners cost nothing. I find this most commonly with two types….big Merc drivers and big SUV drivers….Not always of course, but often enough!
And those idiots at night who flash their high beam to say thanks making you temporarily see black spots. Just flash Yer hazards one flash does it better 😊
@@JaneAustenAteMyCat Not wrong. Literally the ONLY one we had issues with on a 2 week trip in motorhomes (2 of) was some wanker in a bloody Range Rover. The roads were a little wider than in this video, and we could actually pass side by side, but he refused to back up about a car length to where it was wider, and refused to move his car over to the hedges (I guess not wanting any scratches). Instead, we both had to force out hired motorhomes into the hedge, and scrape along it to get past. No, we couldn't back up because it was just past a bend in the road, and we had 2 other cars behind us. The Range Rover guy's only effort to assist was to fold his bloody mirrors in giving us about 2 inches extra space when we really needed about 6 (and the 6 or so he had on his left side would have been awesome).
Hi Contessa. I drive a GLE, and always thank others. My vehicle is 2.15m wide from wing mirror to wing mirror, and as such, I always approach narrowing roads with care. Invariably it's me that does the stopping for smaller cars to whizz through, while my car is far over in the gutter. I see other large SUV drivers do the same as me, otherwise you end up paying for wing mirrors. I don't think it helps to package up inconsiderate drivers into what they drive, I see all kinds of people in all kinds of vehicles, crossing over to my side, not slowing, driving on the white line with a foot of space on the inside while I'm searching for somewhere to go. I often get flash blinded by others who think I'm on main beam when I'm not. Not all SUV drivers are great, but neither are many others.
as someone who lives in the countryside you can tell when people have grown up on the country roads compared to people that have drove on them once or twice
Yeah the country road seen in this video is relatively easy, since there is actually a grass verge between the road and hedgerows. Near where I live there are sections where the road is barely wide enough for a car with hedgerows directly on both sides and tons of blind turns, the speeds I have seen some people go through them is terrifying.
Living in Cornwall it amazes me how many people barrel their big SUVs down single track roads not only too afraid of scratching their paintwork to get anywhere near the side of the road, but also with a complete inability to reverse it back down to a passing place!
Cornwall's population swells with tourists in the summer, many are not used to driving on these kind of roads nor are they used to the Cornish pace of life.
I just passed my test learning on these country roads. An important thing to know is that many people walk on these narrow roads due to no footpaths so going slowly around corners here is essential. Even I've been startled by a family standing around a blind corner before and if I hadn't anticipated this in advance someone could have been hurt.
I frequently run on single track country roads and if I'm running towards a right hand blind bend I'll swap over to the left for the visibility both for me of other vehicles and other vehicles of me. I'll point blank refuse to wear any headphones either so I am aware of things around me.
@@DavidWhatfor Headphones in one ear only or none at all for me. Though I'm becoming increasingly paranoid with noiseless electrics becoming more common
This video is spot on. When you live rurally (as I do) there is a huge mix of road types….You can turn off an A road then be straight into a C road, and not all single track roads have conveniently spaced passing places! Be extra careful in winter…a farmer’s field entrance you use to let an approaching car get past, might turn out to be a bog you can’t drive out of…I know Lol. Locals know how to play the game and courteously giving way is often the ONLY way to progress. Knowing the width of your vehicle is essential as you might be squeezing through (slowly I hope) with barely inches to spare. City drivers are often quite unprepared and do things like hanging out of junctions to force traffic into letting them out - they might get away with is in London where it goes on constantly, but in the countryside no one expects this and they will get hit broadside. Tractors….be afraid, be very afraid Lol…they often don’t indicate, sometimes use arm signals and at speed they kinda bounce about…a lot, they can also be driven (legally) by farm hands who are younger than expected…bonus warning, if following one, you might get huge clumps of mud (or smellier) thrown at you from the wheels. Finally, country people sometimes take horses or horse and buggy onto local roads…and they might be around that next bend! If you see horse poo in the road, that’s a likely indication…..
Nice comment and 100% agree with the observations there. One thing I would add is if you have visibility over hedges then use it to your advantage. You might not be able to see all vehicles but quite often you will see the flashing amber light of the tractor coming along the road further up and if they are closing in and you have a passing place near you...use it early. It is always appreciated I have heard many "city only" drivers say we drive too slow in the countryside. I disagree and say we drive to a suitable speed that is quite often quicker than the next traffic jam they are heading to 😀
Rural delivery driver here, The use of the whole road cannot be understated here. The improved view of the upcoming road allows improved planning and creates a better flow. Also the use of reflections in buildings/parked vehicles is an excellent way to improve your view and anticipation of other vehicles. Which then also leads me onto my next point that you should drive with your headlights on regardless of when you are driving. The contrast of the bright lights makes your vehicle 10x more visible in reflections (those horrible junction mirrors) or shaded areas. And a final tip I have found invaluable is to roll your windows down and listen for vehicles when you are pulling out of a road where there is poor visibility of oncoming vehicles, you'd be surprised how much information you can get from your ears.
Having grown up in rural Devon and experiencing tourists from the city, I think rural driving should be mandatory in driver training. It's a completely different game. It's more about give and take, planning early, planning your passing points (as you mentioned) and being hyper-aware of the size of your vehicle.
And so should motorway driving. The amount of people here in S. Devon say "I've never been on the motorway" and by the way they filter on to the A38 at 30mph, you can tell!! :)
@@everythingspain9442 It really is, often have large motorhomes using narrow single track roads. Living in rural North Devon can be a challenge on tight narrow roads. It's even more nerve racking when on a motorcycle.
I drive in the Yorkshire Dales a lot, very often on single track roads, and my advice is; 1. Relax. You're not going anywhere quickly so take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery. 2. Look as far ahead as possible. If you spot an oncoming vehicle pull into the first convenient passing place and wait. You won't lose much journey time and rule 1 applies. 3. Be patient. You might get behind slow agricultural vehicles, but they're probably not going far, so again, it's not going to cost you a lot of time, and if you brass the driver off he can go *a lot* more slowly ! 4. Be courteous. Most of the traffic you'll meet is local people going about their business, and if you end up in a ditch you're going to need their help because you're probably a long way from the nearest recovery truck. (Assuming there's even a phone signal so you can call one !) Out in the sticks there isn't a McDonald's just around the corner, so you could end up cold, hungry, and very tired before help arrives.
Reminds me off the time my mum got stuck out in the sticks in Northumberland! She’s quite a nervous driver and drove her Nissan Micra into a ditch when an arrogant driver came speeding the other way, luckily we got her out but we were concerned we’d be stuck out there for a ages haha
Living on a farm in rural Devon, I'm well versed in driving on single track roads like those you feature. Heavy vehicles do use them-milk tankers visiting farms, delivery vehicles and even low loaders carrying plant. One just learns to be very good at quick and accurate reversing. One also has the problem with stand-offs: people who can't reverse often will just stop facing you and wait for you to reverse. When two 'non-reversers' meet, stand-offs can last for minutes. On one occasion I even offered to reverse the other car for the driver, in order to break the log jam (I had a queue behind me). I have even had to reverse 50 yards into a passing place when pulling a large trailer. Townies don't know what they're missing. ;-)
Makes me laugh the videos you see when an HGV meets a car and car driver expects HGV driver to reverse 😂 usually cos the car driver can't reverse, I actually had to sit in someone's car with them and reverse hundred yards to a field gate to help them out 😂
@@laceandwhisky last year I watched in amazement as a really long artic backed all the way up a steep, twisty, narrow lane for what must have been close to a mile being herded by a tiny old lady in a daewoo matiz. It was the most impressive bit of maneuvering I've seen in a long time, the lorry driver barely slowed, just drove it like he was facing forwards.
@@DjDolHaus86 Or you could do what I did when driving my bus once. I was passing some parked cars on my left and just as I had got too far to get out of their way, a Range Rover or some similar Chelsea Tractor came the other way and stopped 6ft from the front of my bus and honked. There was no way I could safely get out of his way, even if I was able to reverse, which was impossible as there wasn't anywhere to safely reverse into; a bus isn't like a car when it comes to going backwards..! In any case, we had a company rule not to reverse with passengers on board and without a banksman, so I was stuck. Fortunately, I had plenty of time, so I just put my handbrake on and got the newspaper out. More honking, then after 5 minutes or so he gave up and reversed out of my way..! The passengers all thought it was a great laugh 🤣
Not only is this a great video but the viewer comments here are of a very high standard and quite educational in themselves. It's a testiment to the high quality of Ashley's channel.
@@ashley_neal The high standard of comments from the viewership is a reflection of the high standards of your channel Ash. I'm genuinely finding the standard of comments here just keeps getting better. I think I'm going to have to up my own game to keep up! Interestingly, even when I don't necessarily have the same viewpoint as another viewer's comments, I can usually still understand where they're coming from.
I have been a HGV driver for 7 years, and my father (who was a road traffic police officer for 25 years) taught me how to drive initially. I have to say, Ashley, that your videos are highly informative and of excellent quality. The fact that you're raising awareness of common misunderstandings and frequent issues on UK roads is commendable. Subscribed!
What did you think about his comment about unsuitable for HGV's "unsuitable for HGV should mean that there's no one coming......" He goes on to say sometimes people ignore the rules, as you are an HGV driver, could you advise if HGV's are banned from roads that have an "unsuitable for HGV's" sign?
@@radishpea6615 Probably not banned as such, but any HGV (I suppose I should say LGV these days) driver who has any clue at all would be a damn fool to try using these roads, and their insurance company and/or employer would likely take a dim view as well.
@@TestGearJunkie.You would be surprised at some of the roads an HGV needs to go down especially to collect or deliver to farms....Unsuitable not impossible but as you said, you'd have to be a fool to take an HGV down some of these roads.
@@whysoserious3791 I once saw a coach turn into a very narrow country lane that I knew had a lot of very tight bends. I often wonder how long it took him to get to the other end, that's if he ever did 🤣
UK SW - Where I live we have loads of narrow roads. We also have a lot of new builds with a lot of drivers new to country lanes and they are a menace to say least. we now get a lot high speed accidents on norrow roads that were never known 10 years ago. We just had the odd mirror clip and stuck in the mud type problems. It` common to see cars rolled and crashed though hedges, even one 5 ft up in a tree. I often fear for my life when i drive down some of our single track roads, it`s scary stuff
Had my worst experience of country lane driving a couple of weeks ago when a road closure sent all the main road traffic down a lane narrower than the ones in your video. Too few passing points and too many cars meant at one point I had to scrape along the nearside hedge to allow an oncoming van, who wasn't going to stop, pass me with literally an inch to spare. Luckily just slight scratches but to my freshly ceramic coated 2 month old pride and joy. I wasn't a happy bunny. I'm in the south east and try to avoid the country lanes as the locals in their knackered cars and 4x4s are almost always travelling way too fast, familiarity breeds contempt. Another thing to add is that the shadows, quite evident in your videos, sometimes hide walkers, cyclists or even horses so another reason to drive extra cautiously in country lanes.
Thanks Ashley, as a relatively new driver myself, I’ve been nervous about narrow lane driving. Kent is notorious for narrow lanes around farmland/rural ares, yet people drive through the lanes like they’re driving on a motorway. It’s very nerve racking. The best policy - in my opinion, and how I’ve been taught by my instructor - is anticipate anything, prepare for everything. Appropriately paced driving whilst being aware of potential hazards and passing points is the best policy. Thanks again for your really helpful videos 🙏
Good advice you can never tell what is around a corner, only fools rush in yep they might be able to get away with it most of the time but it only takes the one time for catastrophe.
This is a good video for those who are not use to country lanes, and as a reminder to those of us who use them regularly. 1 thing I think you completely missed is country traffic - farm vehicles on single track roads, especially around late summer and harvest time. As well as bikes, wildlife (escaped sheep / cows, etc) and horse riders. I am from the Romney Marsh, down in Kent and my daughters both ride horses, and the number of people who don't know how to pass them safely is quite astounding. And the amount of grief farmers get for driving tractors around, trying to get to and from their fields, is also shocking. I try and drive such that I can stop in 1/2 the distance I can see, so if something appears around the corner, I know I can pull up. Wider roads give people a sense of safety, and they go faster, without considering what is around the bend (pedestrian / horse / cow / tractor / etc), and then they look all offended when they nearly run into you
A few years ago I was driving through some lanes I wasn't familiar with, only room for one vehicle and passing places were very few and far between and could just about allow 2 very slow moving cars past each other. My mum says to me, "what would you do if you came across a tractor coming the other way?" I shrugged and said, "well I'll be reversing the half mile back to that gate entrance." We rounded the corner to meet a combine harvester 🤦
@@14LuvMusic I totally sympathize! The additional worry with that sort of situation is that after you've done all that reversing to let an oncoming vehicle through, once you proceed forward again for some distance...to then encounter another oncoming vehicle and have to repeat the reverse all over again.
Well said. Many people think they can drive at a speed where they can stop in the distance they can see, but on roads like these the other driver is going to need half of it.
My parents live in an area similar to this with very narrow two-lane roads and several single-track ones and when driving to visit them, the most important lesson I learned was to be ready to put yourself in a ditch to avoid a head-on collision. Someone came around a corner completely on my side of the road not too long ago and I would have been killed or seriously injured had I not dived straight into the soft verge (which I barely managed to get out of), and they didn't even slow down. The point especially hit home when I was recently told someone else driving down the same road experienced a similar situation and couldn't react fast enough to the car on his side of the road. He was removed from his small SUV and airlifted to hospital and in critical condition for several days. The other driver walked away from his LHD sports car with no injuries. No matter who has priority, or who is in the wrong, getting out of the way is your best weapon on roads like these, because quite often you'll meet people who just don't care.
As a german viewer, these types of seemingly common rural roads in the UK are more daunting to me than driving on the left. By watching your videos I have somewhat gotten used to the "mirrored" effect. But having so many roads like this, that aren't wide enough for two cars much less heavier vehicles, but are however two way roads, seems way more challenging than having to learn to drive on the other side, I think. We do have roads like that here in Germany of course, but they are seemingly less common, usually don't have hedges really close to the road either side and often are one-way or restricted to locals, forestry or farmer's access only and almost always easily detoured around by main roads. It seems that is different in the UK, from what I gather. Add to that that cars are getting larger - particularly wider - and that people in bigger cars tend to be less considerate and aware, makes this situation worse.
Haha, when I've driven on the continent it's usually a stretch of single track road (maybe on the way into a carpark or what have you) that catches me out. When another car comes the other way my instinct is to head to the left. That or after doing a U-turn.
Also, I noticed a lot of hand up to say thank you in this video. I would say that putting hand up that way rather than thumb up is a more polite way of showing thanks because I see a thumb up just means well done. Anyway, we've already had this conversation............ Nice driving and excellent commentary.
Nice video today Ashley and a good reminder that the speed limit is just that, a limit and not a target. As someone who grew up in rural areas you quickly leanred that the written priority means nothing and the only priority out there is politeness on the road and who has the easiest move to clear the issue I had one recently where the vehicle coming the other way was closest to a passing point but as they were towing a trailer it was easier for me to reverse an extra 100 yards. Problem sorted and on our way
I do deliveries in rural Shropshire on roads like these all the time. Reversing onto a driveway entrance like you did is a big no no for us (company policy), and i've heard of a driver from a different area getting sacked for doing such after someone sent in doorbell footage. So it's important for people to be patient and prepared to reverse, because not all vehicles have the same options available. The same goes for passing places, the amount of cars that drive right up to my bumper and expect me to reverse into a spot filled with 3 inches of thick mud that I will get stuck in is crazy.
I knew a guy a few years ago who had no vision in one eye and reduced vision in the other. He still had a driving licence. He lived in a small village that was accessible by twisting, single-lane roads. He told us he drove along these at 150 Kmph. When he was asked if he didn't think this was dangerous, his reply was "I know the roads". You can't fix stupid.
Great video, and some very good points. Having grown up and lived on roads like those all my life I wish more people drove like you. Its especially challenging to drive large vehicles down roads like that when its necessary for access.
There was a rural road I lived near years ago where every week there would be a new overturned car as some 17/18 year old passed their test and decided to test their skill and came a cropper through a hedge or down a bank into a field.
Ranger Rovers often seem to be the ones speeding down these roads in my experience. Could be selective memory. Note how the small yellow car after it was going at a sensible speed.
Great video Ashley. Living in rural Suffolk most of our roads are insufficiently wide enough for agricultural machinery and huge lorries - which accounts for about 50% of the traffic during harvest time. This is evidenced by the dash cam video I sent you, showing a combine harvester severely damaging our small VW Polo, because the road was far too narrow for him to pass safely.
I'm in Devon. We're surrounded by roads like these. The issue I sometimes notice is people who are just not comfortable reversing long distances or people who refuse to back up even if the nearest pass point is just behind them. Keeping an eye out for pedestrians/dog walkers is important, as they can be easily hidden by these roads as you approach them.
I'm based in very rural Worcestershire, and there are many roads like that around. I don't drive, myself, however as a cyclist, I do experience the utter incompetence of other road users who clearly have no experience of country roads - trying to pass on a narrow section, etc etc. Very irritating at times!
I'm not sure the inexperienced ones are the only problem, as a fellow cyclist I've encounted plenty of drivers who I'm sure are locals driving really dangerously on country roads around me.
I live in the North East and regullely tow a caravan with my transporter in the lake district. You soon pick up those skills when put under pressure on tight lakeland roads. Good video.
I live in Dorset and there are some very scary single track roads with blind bends. I go really slowly and beep my horn at the total blind bends. It certainly makes my heart go faster. When you meet someone coming the other way, they are invariably going way too fast for the roads, and/or tractors that move all over the place. Happy Christmas to you, I really enjoy your videos.
Thanks for this video Ashley, as a relatively new driver I'm always worried if I'm going 'too slow' on country roads, but better to be safe than sorry. Went on a trip to Cornwall recently and dealt with many roads like this - I was more confident when I realised that they're not all that different to driving on the narrow streets of the Bristol suburbs, just instead of parked cars either side of the road, it's bushes and trees.
I live in a rural area in South Wales with lots of single track roads. The number of drivers that can’t reverse is astounding. Many times there is a passing place just behind them yet I have to reverse a hundred yards to another as they just sit there because they can’t reverse.
Glad this came out when it did. I'm away to Exmoor soon and imagine the roads round there could be similar to what you've shown here. Nice to get some advice and a refresher on best practice! Though there is also a very narrow country lane near me that I use when I have to and some of the locals drive down it way too fast.
Up on the moors it's not quite as daunting as there aren't so many high hedges restricting visibility... it's worse at lower elevations where the hedges can be 10ft high on both sides of a single track road.
Grew up in Cornwall, now live (and learned to drive) in Devon. There's definitely a skill to going down the lanes, which on average in the Westcountry are, if anything, worse than shown here (and often with far fewer passing places). As you say at the end of the day it's mostly just patience, sensible speed and anticipation - specifically assuming that there's a tractor around each and every corner.
Brilliant commentary on this one Ashley and I like your pace - I think I'd have felt very reassured as a passenger. I lived in rural Devon for eight years and still go back there to see my dad - the roads do take some adapting to compared with the more open type of roads in Bedfordshire. Having solid banks on the side of the road rather than a verge makes quite a difference! Next time I'm there I will think about this video and my speed. Many thanks as always.
Wales is fully of these kinds of roads. Did a week long long bikepacking trip this summer. They are quiet and hardly any cars then with little warning a local can come bombing round. So have to watch speeds at all times. Especially on the bike as it's very hilly and tempting to let off the brakes a little on the downhills. But you have to think what could be round each corner and taper speed a lot. Ans position as Ash said to be seen early, as can quickly pull in. Enjoyed my trip, nice challenge getting up those hills and such peace/scenery.
50% plus of my lessons were conducted on country roads, rural areas and in Upper Tees Dale and Upper Wear Dale, County Durham and for those who aren’t familiar with were County Durham is its in Northeast England. I definitely found the Locals had the tendency to drive a little too fast.
Good stuff here Ash. I used to drum it into learners heads and when doing fleet work the importance concerning the limit point, not only on country lanes but in general. I think it’s one of the most important safety advice you can give, plenty of country lanes where I live and on test routes in Lichfield where most of my learners went on test!
I live on single track road & drive a lot on these roads. The only time I didn't like them (Luckily I wasn't driving at the time) was going through Noss Mayo as you can't go anyway because of the houses/buildings & their were cars in front & behind. It was really tight at times.
It's always worth remembering on those roads, some large vehicles have exemptions from weight limits. You tend to drive quicker on roads you know. The locals would have been brought up on these roads and will have acquired skills you may not have. I was in Cornwall on a very single track road (about 70% of the one in the video lined with stone walls) and came head to head with three cars with a woman of about 80 behind me. I had to reverse for about 300 yards in the dusk around blind corners thinking there wasn't the width for my front end swing. My thought was it's going to take a while with the old lady behind. I could see she wasn't keen on the reverse. Boy was I wrong, she drove backwards like a stunt driver and was in a driveway waiting to give me a piece of her mind. Told me if I able to driving on "her road" I should take an alternative route. It was a humbling experience.
At around 2:16 re "Where was the last passing place?" That's exactly what I do on these narrow roads. It's a vital piece of information and keeps you alert and thinking. An add on with this: If I see an oncoming vehicle in the distance across the hedgerows and I am approaching a passing place, I will stop at that passing place if I don't know there will be another passing place before the two of us meet. I do this even if the oncoming vehicle is still some distance away, within reason of course.
Something I learned in advanced is always stop within half the distance you see to be clear and anticipate/plan for the other driver not doing the same
I live in an area like this in Kent. It's a lot easier to deal with at night time because you can see headlights coming around the corner. Unless you're driving through a village or a blind bend because then you *really* need to slow down because a lot of the lanes near me have no pavements and you get people walking their dogs or cycling and at night time its lethal if you go round a corner fast without seeing what is behind it.
There aren’t many roads like this in my country. Whenever I do drive on one, I really enjoy the challenge of it. The joy of driving and the beautiful countryside. I could do it all day! Good point about talking while driving. Most times I drive alone, so I got used to a driving style that suits my limits when I’m alone in the car and able to fully focus on driving. When I have a passenger on board, I do sometimes notice that it’s hard to focus on the conversation as I’m driving in the way that I’m used to. Nothing wrong with consciously slowing it down a bit. I will try to take this into concideration more. Cheers!
Roads i am on i put my wing mirrors in at £1400 a mirror and the local idiots using the roads as a short cut i have to. We have ditches either side of the lanes often see a car in them😊 best driving at night headlights warn you they are coming so easier to plan a handy stop 😊
Good tips. Living in Cornwall we have a variety of country lanes, single track, etc. Issues that I see with road users (especially during holiday season) are: 1. Too fast for the road & conditions 2. Too slow for the road & conditions 3. Sudden braking and/or change of direction and little or no indication when (presumably) searching for their campsite/cottage/turn 4. Speeding through 30 MPH villages (often at 40MPH) then dawdling through the national speed limit area (often at 40MPH) - only to then accelerate up to 60MPH when we reach a stretch of road with a crawler lane. 5. Lack of awareness of the size of their vehicle. 6. Over reliance on sensors when reversing, rather than using their mirrors and eyes. 7. Inability to reverse to the passing place immediately behind their vehicle. 9. Using passing places as parking bays. 10. Tailgating - then pulling out to overtake with zero visibility. 11. Not accelerating to a speed suitable to perform the overtake. 12. Impatience. 13. Fear of hedgerows/ferns etc. touching their (shiny) car when needing to move over to allow passing at the passing place. 15. Sudden braking whenever there's an oncoming vehicle in the oncoming lane!? 16. Excessive braking/riding the brakes on down hill stretches. 17. Clutch burnout due to inability when reversing up a hill, and/or hillstarts. 18. Lack of awareness of the size of their vehicle with regards to width restrictions.... then getting stuck... and having to be towed out from between buildings by a tractor... Edit: Bonus points I remembered after pressing save: 19. Not using their lights/fog lights appropriately (so many people drive through thick seamist/fog without any lights at all - they're practically invisible). 20. Pedestrians - wearing dark clothing, in the dark, on an unlit lane/road, that is without a footpath.
Herefordshire. Most roads are like this! I drive exactly as you do except I keep to the left always. Ready to stop and even find reverse quickly [always aware of any other vehicle in the mirror], but you meet fuel oil lorries, stock lorries, and mad folk in large SUVs. Its the SUVs that speed and where being ready for reverse is quite the thing. Love your videos. Best wishes from George
Excellent video, just a thought for people, remember an empty passing point can become full in seconds (like a vehicle coming out of a field or a car out of a drive), so stop and take your time don't rush if reversing into one, especially on dark nights. Also the road maybe unsuitable for HGVs, but there's always Fire engines, Fuel delivery trucks, Telephone pole handlers etc etc in rural areas that have to use the roads.
I've often said I had two initial phases of learning to drive. My lessons with an instructor gave me the basics of handling a car and adjusting to conditions over a few months in the outer suburbs of London. Sharing the driving as a supervised learner on a two-week holiday between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, was like starting all over agaim. I passed my test in Oxford and for ten years after that would only drive borrowed cars, but was always quite happy to explore single-track country lanes and sacrifice speed for enjoyment thanks to that hoilday experience.
0:50 - crack the window open and listen as well as look! 4:30/5:30 Watch the verges - often they can be a lot less sold than they look. Those are great roads - come to Somerset/Devon/Dorset - there are plenty as narrow with high hedges!
Great video. I echo what you say. When I am having a conversation with my passengers I *never* take my eyes of the road and I don't take my hands off the wheel to gesticulate either. Those are the rules!
A great example of what should happen. There’s a lot of roads round where I live (Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire), that I have to drive on from time to time. Unfortunately I’ve had reverse a lot further than the oncoming vehicle, would have to because they can’t reverse well enough. No problems obviously. I’m normally driving a stretched limo though, because it’s work that takes me down these kind of roads. Love your point about moving to the right of the road to see, as I do this (at massively reduced speeds).
At around 0:12 as you drove out, I could almost hear the theme tune to the TV series Dallas. That's Essex's version of Southfork Ranch right there. No sign of J.R. Ewing though.
I live in Somerset and regularly used to drive over The Quantocks to take my son to/from college. It’s amazing how quickly you get used to these roads and memorise the twists and bends. You can tell who doesn’t typically drive these routes and it’s easy to allow them space while they figure it out. I would also encounter horses. Some people were impatient idiots and would just vroom by where I was always much slower while passing horses. Their riders certainly appreciated it.
I live in rural East Yorkshire and I encounter these type of roads on a regular basis, I do tend to drive slow because of farm vehicles and other vehicles going far to fast for the roads. I've lived here nearly 6 years but I don't think I've become complacent it's far to dangerous to do so.
Attitude counts for a lot on these roads. When I first started driving on these roads I was naturally cautious, but had an "ex passanger" who would mock me for not going "fast like experienced drivers like me" and who thought that tailgating drivers were in the right because i was too slow when not flooring it around bends . I'm much more comfortable now with these roads and think all the points in the video are apot on.
Top tip for your blind corner Ashley as you pulled out, open your window and listen. I live and grew up in rural England and have driven on these roads all my life and seen it all. Also, when these rural roads develop centre broken markings, really often a good idea to get out the gutter and straddle it, especially when there are no cats eyes. Saves car wear and gives you the line around left turns. To tuck back in takes about 10 metres.
Welcome to Essex. Very useful video thank you. I often electronically turn in my wing mirrors when driving along these lanes. It’s a cool £1000 if another vehicle smashes my wing mirror off. Thanks Ashley!
Brilliant video Ashley. I have been waiting a long time for one on this subject and it is spot on. Many roads just like this in Essex. Yes Essex. Most think of the county as an urban conurbation but there is a lot of countryside there too. A lot of the roads are just like the ones you drove in this video. Not wide enough for two vehicles, inconsistent widths, and with absolutely catastrophic jagged edges for ripping tires to shreds. Such an occurrence happened to me on the road near RHS Hyde Hall. I was probably going a bit too fast but I had to avoid the m*ppet coming in the opposite direction that was going outrageously fast and not slowing down at all. A loss of the tire was better than a loss of the whole car or worse. The council would not compensate me though for the poor state of their road edging.
In 48 years of driving I've never encountered roads in such an atrocious condition,especially last Sunday while on a classic MG club run on my local East Sussex country roads, with really deep potholes(which are not always seen due to glare from the Sun)missing top dressing etc, my lovely MGB GT and other members cars took some big hits,but fortunately there appears to be no damage done, although I have an advantage of having a smaller car from yesteryear on some of the narrow lanes. Thanks for the video, I take into account a lot of what's practiced in your clip.
Coming out of the property entrance I would have opened the front windows to use my hearing as an extra useful sense on whether vehicles could be approaching. Even EVs make a bit of road noise.
Plenty of these in rural Dorset, though not usually as narrow as those in parts of south Devon! One of my favourites is the narrow rat-run that winds its way south from Milborne St Andrew to Crossways via Affpuddle! Narrow most of the way, with several tight blind bends, but very picturesque for the passengers!
If your still in the Essex Epping area; try sandpit lane in Brentwood. It’s a rat run small country road which has an insane amount of crashes and wing mirror swipes.
I live in the teign valley near Dartmoor National Park and there are many roads like this, I have always said “Drive as fast as you can see” obviously not above the limit…
I'd like to pick up a point you've made about the HGVs in lanes. I am an HGV driver delivering animal feeds throughout the entire southwest, but our depot based in Devon. Our deliverys are made in 32t rigid and 44T articulated lorries, to farms that are (nearly always) within either 7.5t (except for access) limits, or within 'unsuitable for HGV' lanes. Of course, our driving is adjusted to the roads we're driving on, but just because it says it's unsuitable, doesn't mean we can't go down there. i have found when meeting traffic oncoming traffic in these lanes it is nearly always better for me to reverse than the other vehiclee, even if it's a longer reverse than would be neccessary for the other vehicle. Unfortunately, with a lot of people using google maps these days, they are guided down country lanes as a quicker route. A significant amount of those drivers have no experience of driving down lanes, and quite often, have a very poor reversing ability. I'm not trying to have a dig at anyone, it's just my experience. So, just because the signs say it's unsuitable, you could still come across HGVs, and they're not neccessarily breaking the rules.
A very valid point about Google maps and sat navs, GPS is a great invention but an unfortunate side effect is that they help create rat runs and can destroy the quality of life in some previously quite hamlets.
When I first pass my test in a Morris 1000 traveller , I deliberately went round all the local country roads to practice ,only going into town every now and then to build up confidence.
Reminds me of driving in Scotland where you have pullouts every few hundred meters or so. Once, one of the main roads was closed due to an accident and we were all rerouted via one of these narrow rural roads at dusk. It was hell, multiple cars trying to squeeze into a pullout at once, reversing in the fading light and having to rely on others to read the situation and do the same.
I live in Kent and around here "unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles" apparently means 40-seat coaches and large removal vans are fine. Also I've encountered situations where the aforementioned have had a number of vehicles behind them because they can't navigate such narrow, bendy roads very well. But all perfectly legal, apparently.
The unstable for hgvs sign is advisory not a hard limit. That will be governed by a weight limit, unfortunately there are many farms, houses and businesses down small roads and we still need hgv access, the bricks still need to get to the house being worked on, The washing machine delivered, the removals lorry, fertiliser to the farm, or school coach. A specialist small vehicle for each reason to access small roads isn’t practical or cost effective for the vast majority of people. But when we do drive large vehicles down small roads it should be done with care and consideration.
my dad used to deliver bread in Devon / Cornwall. would often get told 'you should'nt bring that lorry down here'. how else did they think the bread got to the local little shops? @@edwardpurkis1084
@@edwardpurkis1084 There are plenty of farms and associated structures around here, and the roads to them are generally fine with plenty of passing points, although I don't doubt there has been some -corruption- planning permission 'mistakes' . And in other cases I appreciate that the SatNav sees the narrow, winding back roads to be a few meters shorter than the main carriage but that drivers of large vehicles can legally just ignore the signs and cause chaos I found to pretty surprising. It's no fun being part of a six or seven car chain and having to reverse and find passing points because Clueless Travel or GetOutOfLondon Removals hasn't planned their route, has ignored the very clear signage and just blindly followed their car-oriented SatNav.
I live in rural Pembrokeshire, a problem we have in tourist season, is people not used to these roads cant judge the nearside of their car, so they will be a foit out from the side, making it harder to pass.
Rural Shropshire is the same but much hillier. I think a key thing to mention is whatever allowances you make for wet and icy conditions on normal roads you need to double again on these sorts of roads. Ive been on a single track road in the snow and the stopping distance is the bottom of the hill, if you're going uphill get ready to put it in reverse at any point 😂
Loads of these near me, often overgrown too. It's part of the reason why I drive an old silver polo because I dont have to worry about scratching it up on the hedges.
Living in essex, I use roads like these nearly everyday. Hedges are rarely cut back, and when they are cut huge thorns are left all over the road. My sister had all four tyres punctured at the same time (Learning Point}, one having 67 thorns through the tread, and all nearly new.
60 mph on country roads?? I’ve recently come back from a holiday in Norfolk where there are quite a few narrow country roads with National Speed limits of 60 mph. There is no way I could drive anywhere near this speed, I may be a little too cautious but I can’t seem to be able to drive any more than 50 mph. On some of these roads I am driving at what is safe for me but there is often someone else who wants to go faster and is closer to me than I would like, I would always pull over when safe to let them pass. Is there anyone who can actually drive at 60 mph on these roads? I would like to know.
I'm a delivery driver. I drive a Luton van quite often I go down roads like this and worse with tight blind bends. the speed of people coming towards me around them is crazy I quite often use my horn multiple times on approach. and it's funny how they look at me like I've doing something wrong when they panic break because how fast they're going. most of the points Ashley makes to me is just common sense. but people just drive in their own bubble
Pro tip from a lane traveler in rural North Devon. Stop trying to reverse into field entrances & tiny passing places, just reverse past then pull in forward.
Not really much to add. I live in SW Birmingham, a city not really known for single track rural roads. But I do drive to Redditch quite often to visit my mom. I alternate between the main, most direct route (depending on roadworks) and the more pleasant country route, littered with narrow roads (past the Birmingham City training ground). Experience has taught me to watch out for pedestrians walking in the road (no footpaths), cyclists and tractors. There's one particular stretch of very narrow road with an awkward junction where tractors sometimes want to pull out. Because I know it's there, I'm ready to pull into a decent widening up to 100m away to let him out and pass me or, if he's coming in the opposite direction, stop and wait before the junction. This is one instance I'm happy to flash my headlights and switch on my hazards to warn anyone who might come from behind me that there's a reason why I stopped in the middle of the road. One warning sign I look out for is fresh manure on the road. When I see that, I expect to see the culprits that deposited it... horses.😂
Nice vid Ash. You could also do a vid on reversing especially on narrow lanes. Seems to be too little in the test, most visitors to Cornwall have no idea how to reverse on our lanes and go from left hedge to right hedge instead of straight back.
My local roads are all like this, you mentioned the region in the video. I do make a verbal note of the last passing place. I don't see that it is any less focus orientated than city driving. yes theres less cyclists and pedestrians but many more objects to avoid such as pot holes (I drive round them waiting for vehicles to pass if necesarry), Animals (horse riders, livestock hearders) and pets that succeed in the great escape. Local drivers become complacent (through confirmation bias of driving fast and getting away with it) but that bag of luck runs out fast sometimes without the bag of experience getting a look in). Tractors and combine harvesters are known to hide round blind bends too so you're always at the mercy of blocking vehicles or high speed vehicles. I tend to drive on the outside of the corners to increase the line of sight and buy a little more time to react, even as it gets to sections with separator lines. I sometimes think that my driving would get me pulled over and breathalysed because of the lines you need to take to avoid potholes (I keep going on about these as I recently spent £1000 fixing my suspension). A point I'd like to add to your video is that these roads are less used so theres less validation of the junctions on sat nav. I'd say remember to rely on your eyes before your iPhones because the junctions and priorities (shudder) are not necesarrily correct, likik at what you can see rather than what sat nav tells you as it would be easy to go across a give way junction if Sat Nav has the wrong priorities. I think "slow it down" is a good motto for everyone in their local area to avoid the complacency. Even the red arrows only allow pilots to fly for them for a maximum of 3 years and then you're done (to avoid complacency)
If your staying in a property Ashley that does not have a vision splay that is safe remind the owners that they should follow the latest planning regs for vision splays from a driveway. I have mentioned this before in one of your videos when an emerging car either nearly crashed or did crash because they cannot see emerging or passing cars cannot see them emerging. These rules are for safety and differ for when the driveway emerges onto a path, road, or verge first.
These types of road are my daily drive Ashley, and teaching learners how to deal with them is a key part of my lessons. The issue of positioning right on left bends can be useful for experienced drivers, but for new drivers, if they do see something in time, the reaction is usally to 'dive' into the hedge or just stop dead! For these new or nervous drivers, I caution against this, as many of the worst drivers on these rural roads are locals that do drive way too fast, and being on the offside time is asking for trouble. Looking through hedges and over headlands is another good habit to spot vehicles in good time.
When you are local and use the roads often you actually know where all the gates are, wider parts are passing places etc. So if you see someone coming you can make a choice to keep going as you know there is somewhere to pass further along. You also try to look further along the road. Another thing you do especially now with daylight getting less is to actually dip the head lights before corners or blind crests to get a heads up if a vehicle is coming in the opposite direction, you dont always wait to see lights to dip
I'm a fairly new driver, been on the road since May 2022, and roads like this I find quite daunting Often they have a national speed limit sign and so I feel pressure to go as fast as I can, particularly if there's someone tailing me from behind. This is a really useful video for me to take note of next time I'm on a country road - living in Yorkshire, there are plenty of them! Some are particularly nasty in very small towns. Fortunately I have a teeny tiny city car that can squeeze through most gaps so that's one less thing for me to worry about!
*Good relations and teamwork solve an amazing amount of problems* I work for the Electric board and we drive trucks and big lorries down these roads all the time trying to get access through in order to the repair and maintain the network, the biggest thing I stress to my staff is that everyone you meet on these roads is one of our customers. Yesterday you were working together with them on their land in order to get access to our equipment, and to today you will need to work together with them again when you meet them on the road as you drive trying to get to the next customer.
Not many narrow country lanes in Liverpool but you haven't got to go very far in to the Pennine country to find much trickier ones than they have in Essex. Hills, vales,, sharp bends and dry stone walls make it lots more fun!
Ashley, your video fully resonates with me, although the lanes do seem quite 'wide' 😜. Living close to rural Hampshire, I frequently encounter such lanes, and drivers who do not seem to appreciate the world outside their own little box. That said, having just a week ago returned from 10 days in south Devon/Dartmoor, there I did encounter truly narrow lanes; 7' wide was commonplace and no verges, just a 6' high stone wall. You certainly do need to have an awareness for the location of passing places and the need to reverse perhaps 500m or more now and again. The torrential rains of storm Babet just added to the situation. Most are courteous on such roads, but some of the locals did proceed with a degree of disregard due to familiarity.
Great advice. One other thing is that, if following someone else, don’t follow too closely or it can cause chaos if passing spots are only big enough for one car. That’s also good advice in built up areas but there are a lot of numptys who just follow blindly.
Living in Devon, during the summer there's loads of numberplates starting with L (registered in London) and while not guaranteed, often is a reflection of their reversing ability. Or desire to not scratch their very posh cars.
Strangely I find these roads easier to drive at night as you can see oncoming headlights from quite a distance away, even round corners through foliage. Also I find music off and windows down, assuming they're not driving electric sometimes helps with hearing engine noise approaching.
I do a minibus school run every day on roads exactly like this. The main hazards I encounter are logging/grain wagons, farm equipment and farmers flying round on quad bikes! Plus cows/sheep occupying the road on the unfenced bits!
Good video. Even reading about how to deal with single track roads before my visit to the UK (from US) they were sometimes terrifying. Worst was going up a steep hill in the Lake District with a double width tractor coming downhill and not giving way. I thought that was going to be the end of us!
One thing if the oncoming driver is reversing for you: Keep a very respectful distance away from them whilst they reverse. This demonstrates to them your patience and appreciation for their reverse and also doesn't put any pressure on them. Bear in mind also if they make a bit of a hash of their reverse (getting too close to a hedge for example), they may need room to move forwards to correct things before reversing again. And it goes without saying to always Thank them for their reverse as you pass by them. I sometimes even wind my window to say Thank You if I see they have their window down.
Turn of your lights so they can see behind them whenen reversing. Nothing like being blinded when there's a ditch behind you.
@@smash461986
I have a habit of turning my own lights off to reverse my i20 if I'm close to something. Stops the reflected light blinding me, making it's poxy single reverse light (the other side has a rear fog light in the same position) actually usable.
So I completely see what you're saying. An external light source would make it very difficult to reverse my car in the dark.
what bugs me is when people think they are entitled on these narrow roads and when you pull over to one side for them, they don't say thank you. Manners cost nothing to everyone.
Agreed….snooty twats driving by with their nose in the air like Lord and Master, with zero acknowledgment. Makes you wish you hadn’t pulled over for them. And yes…good manners cost nothing. I find this most commonly with two types….big Merc drivers and big SUV drivers….Not always of course, but often enough!
@@contessa.adella always the expensive cars!
And those idiots at night who flash their high beam to say thanks making you temporarily see black spots. Just flash Yer hazards one flash does it better 😊
@@JaneAustenAteMyCat
Not wrong. Literally the ONLY one we had issues with on a 2 week trip in motorhomes (2 of) was some wanker in a bloody Range Rover. The roads were a little wider than in this video, and we could actually pass side by side, but he refused to back up about a car length to where it was wider, and refused to move his car over to the hedges (I guess not wanting any scratches). Instead, we both had to force out hired motorhomes into the hedge, and scrape along it to get past.
No, we couldn't back up because it was just past a bend in the road, and we had 2 other cars behind us.
The Range Rover guy's only effort to assist was to fold his bloody mirrors in giving us about 2 inches extra space when we really needed about 6 (and the 6 or so he had on his left side would have been awesome).
Hi Contessa. I drive a GLE, and always thank others. My vehicle is 2.15m wide from wing mirror to wing mirror, and as such, I always approach narrowing roads with care. Invariably it's me that does the stopping for smaller cars to whizz through, while my car is far over in the gutter. I see other large SUV drivers do the same as me, otherwise you end up paying for wing mirrors. I don't think it helps to package up inconsiderate drivers into what they drive, I see all kinds of people in all kinds of vehicles, crossing over to my side, not slowing, driving on the white line with a foot of space on the inside while I'm searching for somewhere to go. I often get flash blinded by others who think I'm on main beam when I'm not. Not all SUV drivers are great, but neither are many others.
as someone who lives in the countryside you can tell when people have grown up on the country roads compared to people that have drove on them once or twice
Yep, I'm in rural Devon, I know what you mean.
Yeah the country road seen in this video is relatively easy, since there is actually a grass verge between the road and hedgerows. Near where I live there are sections where the road is barely wide enough for a car with hedgerows directly on both sides and tons of blind turns, the speeds I have seen some people go through them is terrifying.
As a regular on these kind of roads. Reverse pass the passing spot then pull forwards into it - far quicker/safer.
Absolutely spot on.
racist
Living in Cornwall it amazes me how many people barrel their big SUVs down single track roads not only too afraid of scratching their paintwork to get anywhere near the side of the road, but also with a complete inability to reverse it back down to a passing place!
Cornwall's population swells with tourists in the summer, many are not used to driving on these kind of roads nor are they used to the Cornish pace of life.
@@grahambonner508 Or reversing, or generally having any driving talent. The school run every morning demonstrates this perfectly.
I just passed my test learning on these country roads. An important thing to know is that many people walk on these narrow roads due to no footpaths so going slowly around corners here is essential.
Even I've been startled by a family standing around a blind corner before and if I hadn't anticipated this in advance someone could have been hurt.
The problem with pedestrians these days is most of them are so fixated with their mobile phones that they can't see what's right in front of them 🙄
I frequently run on single track country roads and if I'm running towards a right hand blind bend I'll swap over to the left for the visibility both for me of other vehicles and other vehicles of me. I'll point blank refuse to wear any headphones either so I am aware of things around me.
@@DavidWhatfor Headphones in one ear only or none at all for me.
Though I'm becoming increasingly paranoid with noiseless electrics becoming more common
This video is spot on. When you live rurally (as I do) there is a huge mix of road types….You can turn off an A road then be straight into a C road, and not all single track roads have conveniently spaced passing places! Be extra careful in winter…a farmer’s field entrance you use to let an approaching car get past, might turn out to be a bog you can’t drive out of…I know Lol. Locals know how to play the game and courteously giving way is often the ONLY way to progress. Knowing the width of your vehicle is essential as you might be squeezing through (slowly I hope) with barely inches to spare. City drivers are often quite unprepared and do things like hanging out of junctions to force traffic into letting them out - they might get away with is in London where it goes on constantly, but in the countryside no one expects this and they will get hit broadside. Tractors….be afraid, be very afraid Lol…they often don’t indicate, sometimes use arm signals and at speed they kinda bounce about…a lot, they can also be driven (legally) by farm hands who are younger than expected…bonus warning, if following one, you might get huge clumps of mud (or smellier) thrown at you from the wheels. Finally, country people sometimes take horses or horse and buggy onto local roads…and they might be around that next bend! If you see horse poo in the road, that’s a likely indication…..
Nice comment and 100% agree with the observations there. One thing I would add is if you have visibility over hedges then use it to your advantage. You might not be able to see all vehicles but quite often you will see the flashing amber light of the tractor coming along the road further up and if they are closing in and you have a passing place near you...use it early. It is always appreciated
I have heard many "city only" drivers say we drive too slow in the countryside. I disagree and say we drive to a suitable speed that is quite often quicker than the next traffic jam they are heading to 😀
Rural delivery driver here, The use of the whole road cannot be understated here. The improved view of the upcoming road allows improved planning and creates a better flow. Also the use of reflections in buildings/parked vehicles is an excellent way to improve your view and anticipation of other vehicles. Which then also leads me onto my next point that you should drive with your headlights on regardless of when you are driving. The contrast of the bright lights makes your vehicle 10x more visible in reflections (those horrible junction mirrors) or shaded areas. And a final tip I have found invaluable is to roll your windows down and listen for vehicles when you are pulling out of a road where there is poor visibility of oncoming vehicles, you'd be surprised how much information you can get from your ears.
Having grown up in rural Devon and experiencing tourists from the city, I think rural driving should be mandatory in driver training. It's a completely different game. It's more about give and take, planning early, planning your passing points (as you mentioned) and being hyper-aware of the size of your vehicle.
Exactly this. Doing this sort of practice with extra early planning might actually make people better drivers when they return to the city!
It must be a nightmare driving on roads near you in the Summer!!!
It shouldn't.. mainly because it's nothing new. It's courtesy that should be taught and examined for. Attitude to other road users is paramount.
And so should motorway driving. The amount of people here in S. Devon say "I've never been on the motorway" and by the way they filter on to the A38 at 30mph, you can tell!! :)
@@everythingspain9442 It really is, often have large motorhomes using narrow single track roads. Living in rural North Devon can be a challenge on tight narrow roads. It's even more nerve racking when on a motorcycle.
I drive in the Yorkshire Dales a lot, very often on single track roads, and my advice is;
1. Relax. You're not going anywhere quickly so take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery.
2. Look as far ahead as possible. If you spot an oncoming vehicle pull into the first convenient passing place and wait. You won't lose much journey time and rule 1 applies.
3. Be patient. You might get behind slow agricultural vehicles, but they're probably not going far, so again, it's not going to cost you a lot of time, and if you brass the driver off he can go *a lot* more slowly !
4. Be courteous. Most of the traffic you'll meet is local people going about their business, and if you end up in a ditch you're going to need their help because you're probably a long way from the nearest recovery truck. (Assuming there's even a phone signal so you can call one !)
Out in the sticks there isn't a McDonald's just around the corner, so you could end up cold, hungry, and very tired before help arrives.
Reminds me off the time my mum got stuck out in the sticks in Northumberland! She’s quite a nervous driver and drove her Nissan Micra into a ditch when an arrogant driver came speeding the other way, luckily we got her out but we were concerned we’d be stuck out there for a ages haha
Great comment.
Living on a farm in rural Devon, I'm well versed in driving on single track roads like those you feature. Heavy vehicles do use them-milk tankers visiting farms, delivery vehicles and even low loaders carrying plant. One just learns to be very good at quick and accurate reversing. One also has the problem with stand-offs: people who can't reverse often will just stop facing you and wait for you to reverse. When two 'non-reversers' meet, stand-offs can last for minutes. On one occasion I even offered to reverse the other car for the driver, in order to break the log jam (I had a queue behind me). I have even had to reverse 50 yards into a passing place when pulling a large trailer. Townies don't know what they're missing. ;-)
Always take note of every passing spot because you never know when you're going to meet someone too stubborn or too incompetent to back up
Makes me laugh the videos you see when an HGV meets a car and car driver expects HGV driver to reverse 😂 usually cos the car driver can't reverse, I actually had to sit in someone's car with them and reverse hundred yards to a field gate to help them out 😂
@@laceandwhisky last year I watched in amazement as a really long artic backed all the way up a steep, twisty, narrow lane for what must have been close to a mile being herded by a tiny old lady in a daewoo matiz. It was the most impressive bit of maneuvering I've seen in a long time, the lorry driver barely slowed, just drove it like he was facing forwards.
@@DjDolHaus86 Or you could do what I did when driving my bus once. I was passing some parked cars on my left and just as I had got too far to get out of their way, a Range Rover or some similar Chelsea Tractor came the other way and stopped 6ft from the front of my bus and honked. There was no way I could safely get out of his way, even if I was able to reverse, which was impossible as there wasn't anywhere to safely reverse into; a bus isn't like a car when it comes to going backwards..! In any case, we had a company rule not to reverse with passengers on board and without a banksman, so I was stuck. Fortunately, I had plenty of time, so I just put my handbrake on and got the newspaper out. More honking, then after 5 minutes or so he gave up and reversed out of my way..! The passengers all thought it was a great laugh 🤣
Not only is this a great video but the viewer comments here are of a very high standard and quite educational in themselves. It's a testiment to the high quality of Ashley's channel.
I've been thinking exactly the same about the comments today, Ibrahim. 👍
@@ashley_neal The high standard of comments from the viewership is a reflection of the high standards of your channel Ash. I'm genuinely finding the standard of comments here just keeps getting better. I think I'm going to have to up my own game to keep up!
Interestingly, even when I don't necessarily have the same viewpoint as another viewer's comments, I can usually still understand where they're coming from.
I have been a HGV driver for 7 years, and my father (who was a road traffic police officer for 25 years) taught me how to drive initially. I have to say, Ashley, that your videos are highly informative and of excellent quality. The fact that you're raising awareness of common misunderstandings and frequent issues on UK roads is commendable. Subscribed!
What did you think about his comment about unsuitable for HGV's "unsuitable for HGV should mean that there's no one coming......" He goes on to say sometimes people ignore the rules, as you are an HGV driver, could you advise if HGV's are banned from roads that have an "unsuitable for HGV's" sign?
@@radishpea6615 Probably not banned as such, but any HGV (I suppose I should say LGV these days) driver who has any clue at all would be a damn fool to try using these roads, and their insurance company and/or employer would likely take a dim view as well.
@@TestGearJunkie. cheers
@@TestGearJunkie.You would be surprised at some of the roads an HGV needs to go down especially to collect or deliver to farms....Unsuitable not impossible but as you said, you'd have to be a fool to take an HGV down some of these roads.
@@whysoserious3791 I once saw a coach turn into a very narrow country lane that I knew had a lot of very tight bends. I often wonder how long it took him to get to the other end, that's if he ever did 🤣
UK SW - Where I live we have loads of narrow roads. We also have a lot of new builds with a lot of drivers new to country lanes and they are a menace to say least. we now get a lot high speed accidents on norrow roads that were never known 10 years ago. We just had the odd mirror clip and stuck in the mud type problems. It` common to see cars rolled and crashed though hedges, even one 5 ft up in a tree. I often fear for my life when i drive down some of our single track roads, it`s scary stuff
Plus the ever increasing amount of delivery vans who will stop for nothing in case they are 30 seconds late delivering a parcel.
I agree, I forgot about the huge increase in vans racing about that we never had before@@Rover200Power
Had my worst experience of country lane driving a couple of weeks ago when a road closure sent all the main road traffic down a lane narrower than the ones in your video. Too few passing points and too many cars meant at one point I had to scrape along the nearside hedge to allow an oncoming van, who wasn't going to stop, pass me with literally an inch to spare. Luckily just slight scratches but to my freshly ceramic coated 2 month old pride and joy. I wasn't a happy bunny. I'm in the south east and try to avoid the country lanes as the locals in their knackered cars and 4x4s are almost always travelling way too fast, familiarity breeds contempt.
Another thing to add is that the shadows, quite evident in your videos, sometimes hide walkers, cyclists or even horses so another reason to drive extra cautiously in country lanes.
Thanks Ashley, as a relatively new driver myself, I’ve been nervous about narrow lane driving. Kent is notorious for narrow lanes around farmland/rural ares, yet people drive through the lanes like they’re driving on a motorway. It’s very nerve racking. The best policy - in my opinion, and how I’ve been taught by my instructor - is anticipate anything, prepare for everything. Appropriately paced driving whilst being aware of potential hazards and passing points is the best policy. Thanks again for your really helpful videos 🙏
Good advice you can never tell what is around a corner, only fools rush in yep they might be able to get away with it most of the time but it only takes the one time for catastrophe.
This is a good video for those who are not use to country lanes, and as a reminder to those of us who use them regularly.
1 thing I think you completely missed is country traffic - farm vehicles on single track roads, especially around late summer and harvest time. As well as bikes, wildlife (escaped sheep / cows, etc) and horse riders.
I am from the Romney Marsh, down in Kent and my daughters both ride horses, and the number of people who don't know how to pass them safely is quite astounding.
And the amount of grief farmers get for driving tractors around, trying to get to and from their fields, is also shocking.
I try and drive such that I can stop in 1/2 the distance I can see, so if something appears around the corner, I know I can pull up.
Wider roads give people a sense of safety, and they go faster, without considering what is around the bend (pedestrian / horse / cow / tractor / etc), and then they look all offended when they nearly run into you
I'm not far away from you in Canterbury. I'm quite familiar with Rye and Dungeness. How's Lydd airport running these days?
A few years ago I was driving through some lanes I wasn't familiar with, only room for one vehicle and passing places were very few and far between and could just about allow 2 very slow moving cars past each other.
My mum says to me, "what would you do if you came across a tractor coming the other way?" I shrugged and said, "well I'll be reversing the half mile back to that gate entrance."
We rounded the corner to meet a combine harvester 🤦
@@14LuvMusic I totally sympathize! The additional worry with that sort of situation is that after you've done all that reversing to let an oncoming vehicle through, once you proceed forward again for some distance...to then encounter another oncoming vehicle and have to repeat the reverse all over again.
Well said. Many people think they can drive at a speed where they can stop in the distance they can see, but on roads like these the other driver is going to need half of it.
My parents live in an area similar to this with very narrow two-lane roads and several single-track ones and when driving to visit them, the most important lesson I learned was to be ready to put yourself in a ditch to avoid a head-on collision. Someone came around a corner completely on my side of the road not too long ago and I would have been killed or seriously injured had I not dived straight into the soft verge (which I barely managed to get out of), and they didn't even slow down. The point especially hit home when I was recently told someone else driving down the same road experienced a similar situation and couldn't react fast enough to the car on his side of the road. He was removed from his small SUV and airlifted to hospital and in critical condition for several days. The other driver walked away from his LHD sports car with no injuries. No matter who has priority, or who is in the wrong, getting out of the way is your best weapon on roads like these, because quite often you'll meet people who just don't care.
As a german viewer, these types of seemingly common rural roads in the UK are more daunting to me than driving on the left. By watching your videos I have somewhat gotten used to the "mirrored" effect. But having so many roads like this, that aren't wide enough for two cars much less heavier vehicles, but are however two way roads, seems way more challenging than having to learn to drive on the other side, I think. We do have roads like that here in Germany of course, but they are seemingly less common, usually don't have hedges really close to the road either side and often are one-way or restricted to locals, forestry or farmer's access only and almost always easily detoured around by main roads. It seems that is different in the UK, from what I gather. Add to that that cars are getting larger - particularly wider - and that people in bigger cars tend to be less considerate and aware, makes this situation worse.
Haha, when I've driven on the continent it's usually a stretch of single track road (maybe on the way into a carpark or what have you) that catches me out. When another car comes the other way my instinct is to head to the left. That or after doing a U-turn.
Also, I noticed a lot of hand up to say thank you in this video. I would say that putting hand up that way rather than thumb up is a more polite way of showing thanks because I see a thumb up just means well done. Anyway, we've already had this conversation............ Nice driving and excellent commentary.
👍🤚
Nice video today Ashley and a good reminder that the speed limit is just that, a limit and not a target.
As someone who grew up in rural areas you quickly leanred that the written priority means nothing and the only priority out there is politeness on the road and who has the easiest move to clear the issue
I had one recently where the vehicle coming the other way was closest to a passing point but as they were towing a trailer it was easier for me to reverse an extra 100 yards. Problem sorted and on our way
I do deliveries in rural Shropshire on roads like these all the time. Reversing onto a driveway entrance like you did is a big no no for us (company policy), and i've heard of a driver from a different area getting sacked for doing such after someone sent in doorbell footage. So it's important for people to be patient and prepared to reverse, because not all vehicles have the same options available. The same goes for passing places, the amount of cars that drive right up to my bumper and expect me to reverse into a spot filled with 3 inches of thick mud that I will get stuck in is crazy.
I knew a guy a few years ago who had no vision in one eye and reduced vision in the other. He still had a driving licence. He lived in a small village that was accessible by twisting, single-lane roads. He told us he drove along these at 150 Kmph. When he was asked if he didn't think this was dangerous, his reply was "I know the roads". You can't fix stupid.
Unfortunately this mindset is common. Rural drivers get very complacent.
It's a very selfish mentality. Absolutely no concern for others aside from the fact they believe they "know the roads".
You can know the roads thats great but you don't know what idiots are on the road and 90mph on a single lane road is just insanity.
I assume drivers like him are why my car insurance premium went up when I moved from high-density 20mph Victorian Oxford to a village 10 miles away.
Great video, and some very good points. Having grown up and lived on roads like those all my life I wish more people drove like you. Its especially challenging to drive large vehicles down roads like that when its necessary for access.
There was a rural road I lived near years ago where every week there would be a new overturned car as some 17/18 year old passed their test and decided to test their skill and came a cropper through a hedge or down a bank into a field.
Ranger Rovers often seem to be the ones speeding down these roads in my experience. Could be selective memory. Note how the small yellow car after it was going at a sensible speed.
they are also the ones who will not let their tires come within 8 inches of the edge of the tarmac, and can't find reverse.
Your videos are improving me as a driver. I live in the countryside but I haven’t always, so this is a good learning point for me.
A nice thumbs up or raise of the hand to say thanks goes a long way.
Great video Ashley. Living in rural Suffolk most of our roads are insufficiently wide enough for agricultural machinery and huge lorries - which accounts for about 50% of the traffic during harvest time. This is evidenced by the dash cam video I sent you, showing a combine harvester severely damaging our small VW Polo, because the road was far too narrow for him to pass safely.
I'm in Devon. We're surrounded by roads like these. The issue I sometimes notice is people who are just not comfortable reversing long distances or people who refuse to back up even if the nearest pass point is just behind them. Keeping an eye out for pedestrians/dog walkers is important, as they can be easily hidden by these roads as you approach them.
I'm based in very rural Worcestershire, and there are many roads like that around. I don't drive, myself, however as a cyclist, I do experience the utter incompetence of other road users who clearly have no experience of country roads - trying to pass on a narrow section, etc etc. Very irritating at times!
I'm not sure the inexperienced ones are the only problem, as a fellow cyclist I've encounted plenty of drivers who I'm sure are locals driving really dangerously on country roads around me.
I live in the North East and regullely tow a caravan with my transporter in the lake district. You soon pick up those skills when put under pressure on tight lakeland roads. Good video.
Thought you were going to say the view was absolutely awesome 😊
I live in Dorset and there are some very scary single track roads with blind bends. I go really slowly and beep my horn at the total blind bends. It certainly makes my heart go faster. When you meet someone coming the other way, they are invariably going way too fast for the roads, and/or tractors that move all over the place. Happy Christmas to you, I really enjoy your videos.
The joys of quiet rural lanes. Spot on.👍
Thanks for this video Ashley, as a relatively new driver I'm always worried if I'm going 'too slow' on country roads, but better to be safe than sorry. Went on a trip to Cornwall recently and dealt with many roads like this - I was more confident when I realised that they're not all that different to driving on the narrow streets of the Bristol suburbs, just instead of parked cars either side of the road, it's bushes and trees.
I live in a rural area in South Wales with lots of single track roads. The number of drivers that can’t reverse is astounding. Many times there is a passing place just behind them yet I have to reverse a hundred yards to another as they just sit there because they can’t reverse.
Glad this came out when it did. I'm away to Exmoor soon and imagine the roads round there could be similar to what you've shown here. Nice to get some advice and a refresher on best practice! Though there is also a very narrow country lane near me that I use when I have to and some of the locals drive down it way too fast.
Up on the moors it's not quite as daunting as there aren't so many high hedges restricting visibility... it's worse at lower elevations where the hedges can be 10ft high on both sides of a single track road.
Grew up in Cornwall, now live (and learned to drive) in Devon. There's definitely a skill to going down the lanes, which on average in the Westcountry are, if anything, worse than shown here (and often with far fewer passing places). As you say at the end of the day it's mostly just patience, sensible speed and anticipation - specifically assuming that there's a tractor around each and every corner.
Brilliant commentary on this one Ashley and I like your pace - I think I'd have felt very reassured as a passenger. I lived in rural Devon for eight years and still go back there to see my dad - the roads do take some adapting to compared with the more open type of roads in Bedfordshire. Having solid banks on the side of the road rather than a verge makes quite a difference! Next time I'm there I will think about this video and my speed. Many thanks as always.
Wales is fully of these kinds of roads. Did a week long long bikepacking trip this summer. They are quiet and hardly any cars then with little warning a local can come bombing round. So have to watch speeds at all times. Especially on the bike as it's very hilly and tempting to let off the brakes a little on the downhills. But you have to think what could be round each corner and taper speed a lot. Ans position as Ash said to be seen early, as can quickly pull in. Enjoyed my trip, nice challenge getting up those hills and such peace/scenery.
50% plus of my lessons were conducted on country roads, rural areas and in Upper Tees Dale and Upper Wear Dale, County Durham and for those who aren’t familiar with were County Durham is its in Northeast England. I definitely found the Locals had the tendency to drive a little too fast.
Good stuff here Ash. I used to drum it into learners heads and when doing fleet work the importance concerning the limit point, not only on country lanes but in general. I think it’s one of the most important safety advice you can give, plenty of country lanes where I live and on test routes in Lichfield where most of my learners went on test!
I live on single track road & drive a lot on these roads. The only time I didn't like them (Luckily I wasn't driving at the time) was going through Noss Mayo as you can't go anyway because of the houses/buildings & their were cars in front & behind. It was really tight at times.
It's always worth remembering on those roads, some large vehicles have exemptions from weight limits. You tend to drive quicker on roads you know. The locals would have been brought up on these roads and will have acquired skills you may not have. I was in Cornwall on a very single track road (about 70% of the one in the video lined with stone walls) and came head to head with three cars with a woman of about 80 behind me. I had to reverse for about 300 yards in the dusk around blind corners thinking there wasn't the width for my front end swing. My thought was it's going to take a while with the old lady behind. I could see she wasn't keen on the reverse. Boy was I wrong, she drove backwards like a stunt driver and was in a driveway waiting to give me a piece of her mind. Told me if I able to driving on "her road" I should take an alternative route. It was a humbling experience.
At around 2:16 re "Where was the last passing place?" That's exactly what I do on these narrow roads. It's a vital piece of information and keeps you alert and thinking.
An add on with this: If I see an oncoming vehicle in the distance across the hedgerows and I am approaching a passing place, I will stop at that passing place if I don't know there will be another passing place before the two of us meet. I do this even if the oncoming vehicle is still some distance away, within reason of course.
Something I learned in advanced is always stop within half the distance you see to be clear and anticipate/plan for the other driver not doing the same
I live in an area like this in Kent. It's a lot easier to deal with at night time because you can see headlights coming around the corner. Unless you're driving through a village or a blind bend because then you *really* need to slow down because a lot of the lanes near me have no pavements and you get people walking their dogs or cycling and at night time its lethal if you go round a corner fast without seeing what is behind it.
There aren’t many roads like this in my country. Whenever I do drive on one, I really enjoy the challenge of it. The joy of driving and the beautiful countryside. I could do it all day!
Good point about talking while driving. Most times I drive alone, so I got used to a driving style that suits my limits when I’m alone in the car and able to fully focus on driving. When I have a passenger on board, I do sometimes notice that it’s hard to focus on the conversation as I’m driving in the way that I’m used to. Nothing wrong with consciously slowing it down a bit. I will try to take this into concideration more. Cheers!
Everytime I hear Ashley in my head saying: just make it a non event. When something happens. It is very good advice though.
Roads i am on i put my wing mirrors in at £1400 a mirror and the local idiots using the roads as a short cut i have to. We have ditches either side of the lanes often see a car in them😊 best driving at night headlights warn you they are coming so easier to plan a handy stop 😊
Good tips. Living in Cornwall we have a variety of country lanes, single track, etc.
Issues that I see with road users (especially during holiday season) are:
1. Too fast for the road & conditions
2. Too slow for the road & conditions
3. Sudden braking and/or change of direction and little or no indication when (presumably) searching for their campsite/cottage/turn
4. Speeding through 30 MPH villages (often at 40MPH) then dawdling through the national speed limit area (often at 40MPH) - only to then accelerate up to 60MPH when we reach a stretch of road with a crawler lane.
5. Lack of awareness of the size of their vehicle.
6. Over reliance on sensors when reversing, rather than using their mirrors and eyes.
7. Inability to reverse to the passing place immediately behind their vehicle.
9. Using passing places as parking bays.
10. Tailgating - then pulling out to overtake with zero visibility.
11. Not accelerating to a speed suitable to perform the overtake.
12. Impatience.
13. Fear of hedgerows/ferns etc. touching their (shiny) car when needing to move over to allow passing at the passing place.
15. Sudden braking whenever there's an oncoming vehicle in the oncoming lane!?
16. Excessive braking/riding the brakes on down hill stretches.
17. Clutch burnout due to inability when reversing up a hill, and/or hillstarts.
18. Lack of awareness of the size of their vehicle with regards to width restrictions.... then getting stuck... and having to be towed out from between buildings by a tractor...
Edit: Bonus points I remembered after pressing save:
19. Not using their lights/fog lights appropriately (so many people drive through thick seamist/fog without any lights at all - they're practically invisible).
20. Pedestrians - wearing dark clothing, in the dark, on an unlit lane/road, that is without a footpath.
Herefordshire. Most roads are like this!
I drive exactly as you do except I keep to the left always. Ready to stop and even find reverse quickly [always aware of any other vehicle in the mirror], but you meet fuel oil lorries, stock lorries, and mad folk in large SUVs. Its the SUVs that speed and where being ready for reverse is quite the thing.
Love your videos.
Best wishes from George
Excellent video, just a thought for people, remember an empty passing point can become full in seconds (like a vehicle coming out of a field or a car out of a drive), so stop and take your time don't rush if reversing into one, especially on dark nights.
Also the road maybe unsuitable for HGVs, but there's always Fire engines, Fuel delivery trucks, Telephone pole handlers etc etc in rural areas that have to use the roads.
I've often said I had two initial phases of learning to drive. My lessons with an instructor gave me the basics of handling a car and adjusting to conditions over a few months in the outer suburbs of London. Sharing the driving as a supervised learner on a two-week holiday between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, was like starting all over agaim.
I passed my test in Oxford and for ten years after that would only drive borrowed cars, but was always quite happy to explore single-track country lanes and sacrifice speed for enjoyment thanks to that hoilday experience.
0:50 - crack the window open and listen as well as look!
4:30/5:30 Watch the verges - often they can be a lot less sold than they look.
Those are great roads - come to Somerset/Devon/Dorset - there are plenty as narrow with high hedges!
Great video.
I echo what you say. When I am having a conversation with my passengers I *never* take my eyes of the road and I don't take my hands off the wheel to gesticulate either.
Those are the rules!
Same here.
Great explanation of how the limit point is constantly moving in and out. So many people drive without the slightest awareness of it.
A great example of what should happen.
There’s a lot of roads round where I live (Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire), that I have to drive on from time to time.
Unfortunately I’ve had reverse a lot further than the oncoming vehicle, would have to because they can’t reverse well enough. No problems obviously.
I’m normally driving a stretched limo though, because it’s work that takes me down these kind of roads.
Love your point about moving to the right of the road to see, as I do this (at massively reduced speeds).
At around 0:12 as you drove out, I could almost hear the theme tune to the TV series Dallas. That's Essex's version of Southfork Ranch right there. No sign of J.R. Ewing though.
I live in Somerset and regularly used to drive over The Quantocks to take my son to/from college. It’s amazing how quickly you get used to these roads and memorise the twists and bends. You can tell who doesn’t typically drive these routes and it’s easy to allow them space while they figure it out. I would also encounter horses. Some people were impatient idiots and would just vroom by where I was always much slower while passing horses. Their riders certainly appreciated it.
I live in rural East Yorkshire and I encounter these type of roads on a regular basis, I do tend to drive slow because of farm vehicles and other vehicles going far to fast for the roads. I've lived here nearly 6 years but I don't think I've become complacent it's far to dangerous to do so.
Attitude counts for a lot on these roads. When I first started driving on these roads I was naturally cautious, but had an "ex passanger" who would mock me for not going "fast like experienced drivers like me" and who thought that tailgating drivers were in the right because i was too slow when not flooring it around bends . I'm much more comfortable now with these roads and think all the points in the video are apot on.
A passenger like that should be made to get out and walk!
@@Eric_Hunt194 😂
Top tip for your blind corner Ashley as you pulled out, open your window and listen. I live and grew up in rural England and have driven on these roads all my life and seen it all. Also, when these rural roads develop centre broken markings, really often a good idea to get out the gutter and straddle it, especially when there are no cats eyes. Saves car wear and gives you the line around left turns. To tuck back in takes about 10 metres.
Welcome to Essex. Very useful video thank you.
I often electronically turn in my wing mirrors when driving along these lanes. It’s a cool £1000 if another vehicle smashes my wing mirror off.
Thanks Ashley!
Brilliant video Ashley. I have been waiting a long time for one on this subject and it is spot on. Many roads just like this in Essex. Yes Essex. Most think of the county as an urban conurbation but there is a lot of countryside there too. A lot of the roads are just like the ones you drove in this video. Not wide enough for two vehicles, inconsistent widths, and with absolutely catastrophic jagged edges for ripping tires to shreds. Such an occurrence happened to me on the road near RHS Hyde Hall. I was probably going a bit too fast but I had to avoid the m*ppet coming in the opposite direction that was going outrageously fast and not slowing down at all. A loss of the tire was better than a loss of the whole car or worse. The council would not compensate me though for the poor state of their road edging.
RHS Hyde Hall no less! I know it well.
In 48 years of driving I've never encountered roads in such an atrocious condition,especially last Sunday while on a classic MG club run on my local East Sussex country roads, with really deep potholes(which are not always seen due to glare from the Sun)missing top dressing etc, my lovely MGB GT and other members cars took some big hits,but fortunately there appears to be no damage done, although I have an advantage of having a smaller car from yesteryear on some of the narrow lanes.
Thanks for the video, I take into account a lot of what's practiced in your clip.
Coming out of the property entrance I would have opened the front windows to use my hearing as an extra useful sense on whether vehicles could be approaching. Even EVs make a bit of road noise.
Plenty of these in rural Dorset, though not usually as narrow as those in parts of south Devon! One of my favourites is the narrow rat-run that winds its way south from Milborne St Andrew to Crossways via Affpuddle! Narrow most of the way, with several tight blind bends, but very picturesque for the passengers!
If your still in the Essex Epping area; try sandpit lane in Brentwood. It’s a rat run small country road which has an insane amount of crashes and wing mirror swipes.
I live in the teign valley near Dartmoor National Park and there are many roads like this, I have always said “Drive as fast as you can see” obviously not above the limit…
I'd like to pick up a point you've made about the HGVs in lanes. I am an HGV driver delivering animal feeds throughout the entire southwest, but our depot based in Devon. Our deliverys are made in 32t rigid and 44T articulated lorries, to farms that are (nearly always) within either 7.5t (except for access) limits, or within 'unsuitable for HGV' lanes. Of course, our driving is adjusted to the roads we're driving on, but just because it says it's unsuitable, doesn't mean we can't go down there. i have found when meeting traffic oncoming traffic in these lanes it is nearly always better for me to reverse than the other vehiclee, even if it's a longer reverse than would be neccessary for the other vehicle. Unfortunately, with a lot of people using google maps these days, they are guided down country lanes as a quicker route. A significant amount of those drivers have no experience of driving down lanes, and quite often, have a very poor reversing ability. I'm not trying to have a dig at anyone, it's just my experience. So, just because the signs say it's unsuitable, you could still come across HGVs, and they're not neccessarily breaking the rules.
A very valid point about Google maps and sat navs, GPS is a great invention but an unfortunate side effect is that they help create rat runs and can destroy the quality of life in some previously quite hamlets.
When I first pass my test in a Morris 1000 traveller , I deliberately went round all the local country roads to practice ,only going into town every now and then to build up confidence.
Reminds me of driving in Scotland where you have pullouts every few hundred meters or so. Once, one of the main roads was closed due to an accident and we were all rerouted via one of these narrow rural roads at dusk. It was hell, multiple cars trying to squeeze into a pullout at once, reversing in the fading light and having to rely on others to read the situation and do the same.
I live in Kent and around here "unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles" apparently means 40-seat coaches and large removal vans are fine. Also I've encountered situations where the aforementioned have had a number of vehicles behind them because they can't navigate such narrow, bendy roads very well. But all perfectly legal, apparently.
The unstable for hgvs sign is advisory not a hard limit. That will be governed by a weight limit, unfortunately there are many farms, houses and businesses down small roads and we still need hgv access, the bricks still need to get to the house being worked on, The washing machine delivered, the removals lorry, fertiliser to the farm, or school coach. A specialist small vehicle for each reason to access small roads isn’t practical or cost effective for the vast majority of people. But when we do drive large vehicles down small roads it should be done with care and consideration.
my dad used to deliver bread in Devon / Cornwall. would often get told 'you should'nt bring that lorry down here'. how else did they think the bread got to the local little shops? @@edwardpurkis1084
@@edwardpurkis1084 There are plenty of farms and associated structures around here, and the roads to them are generally fine with plenty of passing points, although I don't doubt there has been some -corruption- planning permission 'mistakes' .
And in other cases I appreciate that the SatNav sees the narrow, winding back roads to be a few meters shorter than the main carriage but that drivers of large vehicles can legally just ignore the signs and cause chaos I found to pretty surprising. It's no fun being part of a six or seven car chain and having to reverse and find passing points because Clueless Travel or GetOutOfLondon Removals hasn't planned their route, has ignored the very clear signage and just blindly followed their car-oriented SatNav.
I live in rural Pembrokeshire, a problem we have in tourist season, is people not used to these roads cant judge the nearside of their car, so they will be a foit out from the side, making it harder to pass.
They can't do that in towns either. Driving in the middle of the road because they have zero spatial awareness.
Rural Shropshire is the same but much hillier. I think a key thing to mention is whatever allowances you make for wet and icy conditions on normal roads you need to double again on these sorts of roads. Ive been on a single track road in the snow and the stopping distance is the bottom of the hill, if you're going uphill get ready to put it in reverse at any point 😂
Loads of these near me, often overgrown too. It's part of the reason why I drive an old silver polo because I dont have to worry about scratching it up on the hedges.
Living in essex, I use roads like these nearly everyday. Hedges are rarely cut back, and when they are cut huge thorns are left all over the road. My sister had all four tyres punctured at the same time (Learning Point}, one having 67 thorns through the tread, and all nearly new.
Ashley, thank you for clarifying what you are doing when you look towards the onside mirror, that you are not looking at the camera but at the mirror.
60 mph on country roads?? I’ve recently come back from a holiday in Norfolk where there are quite a few narrow country roads with National Speed limits of 60 mph. There is no way I could drive anywhere near this speed, I may be a little too cautious but I can’t seem to be able to drive any more than 50 mph. On some of these roads I am driving at what is safe for me but there is often someone else who wants to go faster and is closer to me than I would like, I would always pull over when safe to let them pass. Is there anyone who can actually drive at 60 mph on these roads? I would like to know.
Yeah, it’s the most ridiculous limit in the UK, way too generous.
I'm a delivery driver. I drive a Luton van quite often I go down roads like this and worse with tight blind bends. the speed of people coming towards me around them is crazy I quite often use my horn multiple times on approach. and it's funny how they look at me like I've doing something wrong when they panic break because how fast they're going. most of the points Ashley makes to me is just common sense. but people just drive in their own bubble
Got to make sure you drive safe, especially if someone did came around a corner, you always have to be prepared
Pro tip from a lane traveler in rural North Devon. Stop trying to reverse into field entrances & tiny passing places, just reverse past then pull in forward.
nice!
Not really much to add. I live in SW Birmingham, a city not really known for single track rural roads. But I do drive to Redditch quite often to visit my mom. I alternate between the main, most direct route (depending on roadworks) and the more pleasant country route, littered with narrow roads (past the Birmingham City training ground). Experience has taught me to watch out for pedestrians walking in the road (no footpaths), cyclists and tractors. There's one particular stretch of very narrow road with an awkward junction where tractors sometimes want to pull out. Because I know it's there, I'm ready to pull into a decent widening up to 100m away to let him out and pass me or, if he's coming in the opposite direction, stop and wait before the junction. This is one instance I'm happy to flash my headlights and switch on my hazards to warn anyone who might come from behind me that there's a reason why I stopped in the middle of the road. One warning sign I look out for is fresh manure on the road. When I see that, I expect to see the culprits that deposited it... horses.😂
Nice vid Ash. You could also do a vid on reversing especially on narrow lanes. Seems to be too little in the test, most visitors to Cornwall have no idea how to reverse on our lanes and go from left hedge to right hedge instead of straight back.
My local roads are all like this, you mentioned the region in the video. I do make a verbal note of the last passing place. I don't see that it is any less focus orientated than city driving. yes theres less cyclists and pedestrians but many more objects to avoid such as pot holes (I drive round them waiting for vehicles to pass if necesarry), Animals (horse riders, livestock hearders) and pets that succeed in the great escape. Local drivers become complacent (through confirmation bias of driving fast and getting away with it) but that bag of luck runs out fast sometimes without the bag of experience getting a look in). Tractors and combine harvesters are known to hide round blind bends too so you're always at the mercy of blocking vehicles or high speed vehicles. I tend to drive on the outside of the corners to increase the line of sight and buy a little more time to react, even as it gets to sections with separator lines. I sometimes think that my driving would get me pulled over and breathalysed because of the lines you need to take to avoid potholes (I keep going on about these as I recently spent £1000 fixing my suspension).
A point I'd like to add to your video is that these roads are less used so theres less validation of the junctions on sat nav. I'd say remember to rely on your eyes before your iPhones because the junctions and priorities (shudder) are not necesarrily correct, likik at what you can see rather than what sat nav tells you as it would be easy to go across a give way junction if Sat Nav has the wrong priorities. I think "slow it down" is a good motto for everyone in their local area to avoid the complacency. Even the red arrows only allow pilots to fly for them for a maximum of 3 years and then you're done (to avoid complacency)
If your staying in a property Ashley that does not have a vision splay that is safe remind the owners that they should follow the latest planning regs for vision splays from a driveway.
I have mentioned this before in one of your videos when an emerging car either nearly crashed or did crash because they cannot see emerging or passing cars cannot see them emerging.
These rules are for safety and differ for when the driveway emerges onto a path, road, or verge first.
These types of road are my daily drive Ashley, and teaching learners how to deal with them is a key part of my lessons. The issue of positioning right on left bends can be useful for experienced drivers, but for new drivers, if they do see something in time, the reaction is usally to 'dive' into the hedge or just stop dead! For these new or nervous drivers, I caution against this, as many of the worst drivers on these rural roads are locals that do drive way too fast, and being on the offside time is asking for trouble. Looking through hedges and over headlands is another good habit to spot vehicles in good time.
When you are local and use the roads often you actually know where all the gates are, wider parts are passing places etc. So if you see someone coming you can make a choice to keep going as you know there is somewhere to pass further along. You also try to look further along the road. Another thing you do especially now with daylight getting less is to actually dip the head lights before corners or blind crests to get a heads up if a vehicle is coming in the opposite direction, you dont always wait to see lights to dip
I'm a fairly new driver, been on the road since May 2022, and roads like this I find quite daunting
Often they have a national speed limit sign and so I feel pressure to go as fast as I can, particularly if there's someone tailing me from behind. This is a really useful video for me to take note of next time I'm on a country road - living in Yorkshire, there are plenty of them! Some are particularly nasty in very small towns. Fortunately I have a teeny tiny city car that can squeeze through most gaps so that's one less thing for me to worry about!
These sorts of roads are a real nightmare in the dark and snow. In some places like Cornwall, the hedges on the sides often cover dry stone walls.
Thank you for covering this. Please can you cover when the road is covered in a puddle and if you meet a tractor or even harvesters.
Worth looking out for seasonal hazards, ie. combine harvesters out after dark during harvest time.
*Good relations and teamwork solve an amazing amount of problems*
I work for the Electric board and we drive trucks and big lorries down these roads all the time trying to get access through in order to the repair and maintain the network, the biggest thing I stress to my staff is that everyone you meet on these roads is one of our customers.
Yesterday you were working together with them on their land in order to get access to our equipment, and to today you will need to work together with them again when you meet them on the road as you drive trying to get to the next customer.
Not many narrow country lanes in Liverpool but you haven't got to go very far in to the Pennine country to find much trickier ones than they have in Essex. Hills, vales,, sharp bends and dry stone walls make it lots more fun!
Ashley, your video fully resonates with me, although the lanes do seem quite 'wide' 😜. Living close to rural Hampshire, I frequently encounter such lanes, and drivers who do not seem to appreciate the world outside their own little box.
That said, having just a week ago returned from 10 days in south Devon/Dartmoor, there I did encounter truly narrow lanes; 7' wide was commonplace and no verges, just a 6' high stone wall. You certainly do need to have an awareness for the location of passing places and the need to reverse perhaps 500m or more now and again. The torrential rains of storm Babet just added to the situation. Most are courteous on such roads, but some of the locals did proceed with a degree of disregard due to familiarity.
Great advice. One other thing is that, if following someone else, don’t follow too closely or it can cause chaos if passing spots are only big enough for one car. That’s also good advice in built up areas but there are a lot of numptys who just follow blindly.
Living in Devon, during the summer there's loads of numberplates starting with L (registered in London) and while not guaranteed, often is a reflection of their reversing ability. Or desire to not scratch their very posh cars.
Strangely I find these roads easier to drive at night as you can see oncoming headlights from quite a distance away, even round corners through foliage. Also I find music off and windows down, assuming they're not driving electric sometimes helps with hearing engine noise approaching.
I do a minibus school run every day on roads exactly like this. The main hazards I encounter are logging/grain wagons, farm equipment and farmers flying round on quad bikes! Plus cows/sheep occupying the road on the unfenced bits!
Good video. Even reading about how to deal with single track roads before my visit to the UK (from US) they were sometimes terrifying. Worst was going up a steep hill in the Lake District with a double width tractor coming downhill and not giving way. I thought that was going to be the end of us!