to wonder how people cope when stuck in traffic for hours and hours

[Samcro]

seeing how long people have been stuck in traffic at dover made me wonder.
I live in dread as dd would scream(disability) and it would be HELL
so of course I avoid as much as I can.
but how the hell do people cope? people have been stuck for 12 hours plus.
really curious.

I think the people who make SheWees and the like must be absolutely cock-a-hoop, their sales must be going through the roof

I have no idea, the loo bit would have me panicked to the point where I'd need the loo every 10 mins. Instant ibs. It's very annoying!

I have been binge-watching the news on this, as it seems like a living nightmare. people can't even turn around, they are stuck. I have a DS with ASD and he screams like a banshee when we have to stop at red traffic lights.

But also- this is so so dangerous. Thank heavens it seems to be slightly cooler today, but the situation has the potential to turn deadly very quickly.

I was once stuck in traffic for nearly 2 hours - I was absolutely desperate for a wee, but there was no real cover anywhere to go! Luckily I made it to one in time, but I bought a she-wee the next day and keep it in the car with a bottle and tissues, as well as a few cereal bars, water & a blanket etc.

We were stuck on the M6 last week for 4 hours i actually thought i was going to dissolve into a puddle with the heat and to say we were tetchy is an understatement 😂It was hell on earth the traffic man on bbc breakfast yesterday was telling people to take supplies like extra food and drinks. folk must be peeing in bottles 12 hours in traffic bugger that

We're going tonight, got a ferry in the morning, and I'm seven months pregnant, not looking forward to it

At least overnight is not as hot and it's dark so easier to go to the loo by the side of the road

We have lots of water and food

I would have to walk and leave DH in the car. I have claustrophobia and can just about manage in the car but a car hemmed in by many other cars with no way out would finish me off!

SlimCheesy2 mine does that too(cp) a red light is a night mare

ineedamore I know exactly what you mean. I was reading the BBC report and one woman was quoted saying they were stuck in a tunnel for four hours, with accompanying photo - tunnel wall to one side, tall lorry to the other. I felt a bit panicky simply reading and seeing that - honestly I'd have a full blown panic attack being stuck in there.

Imagine it for four hours - eeeek!

red lights. [shudder].

That pic in the tunnel. :(

It makes me feel all panicky just thinking about it.

Margot your description set my heart racing never mind the picture! That's awful I can't believe there isn't more unrest/agro in these queues unless there is and we don't hear about it. It seems the recipe for lots of angry and frustrated people.

We were just talking about this as we have an old motorhome with a flushing toilet - we were wondering how many people we would let use it in this sort of situation. We're not mean but there would have to be a limit! :(

We were stuck on the M25 (in a car) for 3.5 hours once. It was a hot day and everyone was getting out of their cars and chatting. It was quite nice in the end! Although I never did find out what caused the hold up.

I would not manage in a tunnel for that long. I would seriously panic.

I once got stuck for 9 hours in a traffic jam outside Milan on a school trip. There was a massive accident and fire on a bridge and it closed the main motorway network. Luckily we had a coach so there was a loo but we were asked to only use it if it was an emergency. We couldn't have the engine running though all that time so the air conditioning wasn't working. We sat and played cards on the Tarmac in the shade of the bus as it was about 30 degrees. The worst bit was actually when we got moving again and stopped at the first services as the drivers had promised and they were so packed that there was nowhere for the bus to stop and we had to drive another 50km to the next one for a coffee and wee!

Could never handle being stuck in that tunnel.

The minute I knew there was no way of going to the loo I would need the loo immediately. And it doesn't bear thinking about if I had my period too as they are particularly vile at the moment (TMI).

Although the DC are teens they would no doubt be moaning and asking every 5 minutes when we would get going again leading to a family row. DH would do his usual mellow, 'it is what it is' thing.

That tunnel picture makes me feel a bit funny too.

My family roll their eyes and laugh at me for going prepared for an event such as this on anything other than a local trip. But you just never know! Nobody ever EXPECTS to get stuck in a hours long traffic queue.

I was stuck on the M5 a few weeks ago for several hours. I ended up having to have a pee at the side of the road. I was so desperate, I was in pain! And well beyond caring. DH held a coat up to protect my modesty, but it was obvious what I was doing peeing like a horse!.
Since then, and watching the news this weekend (plus a couple of long motorway trips coming up) I have been looking at sheewees too. I think I'd have to practice a bit first though. Can they be used sitting down??

I'd hope that there was still access for the emergency services via the hard shoulder?

It sounded awful. I'd want the transport police to set up some kind of relief diversion but God knows how it could work.

Me too. I'm just as bad on a plane - it's that panicky feeling of being constricted and having no way out for however long.

Hadn't refreshed so that post was agreeing with slimcheesy.