HGVs and buses are too wide for standard roads and dangerous - AIBU?

[Waferbiscuit]

I know it's a bit of an odd complaint, but as a regular driver have really been noticing how HGVs/lorries and buses are made too wide for many roads. As a driver it means you constantly have to accommodate them - on roads where there are two lanes side by side, you have to veer over to the right side of your lane to accommodate the bus or HGV driving beside you.

Why have they made these vehicles so wide? On motorways is there really enough gap/free space between the bus or HGV and the remainder of their lane. It doesn't feel like it.

I've had a look at standard widths and it looks like a standard car is 2.2m while a lorry or bus is 2.9m. It also says a standard motorway has a lane width of 3.6m which therefore leaves a gap of just .35m on either side which is nothing. Especially when driving 70miles/hour.

AIBU to think that the govt really should review widths of these large trucks/lorries/HGVs because their width is a danger to other drivers?

I don't find them dangerous Are you sure the issue isn't that you/some drivers don't want to take enough care to accommodate them? Buses/HGVS have always been the biggest vehicles on the road.

Buses drive me mad because their drivers are usually inconsiderate - pulling out when you are already going round them etc.

In 15 years of driving I have never, ever had a problem with a HGV. I have always found the drivers careful and considerate.

There's a junction near my house which lots of lorries go through, if they're turning a certain way they have to swing out into the oncoming traffic to make it round, it's very impractical especially when it's busy.

The buses also struggle to get round a few corners/turns on their route, the buses are massive plus parked cars/traffic, it's definitely dangerous at school drop off/pick up times with extra cars & kids everywhere.

No I don't think they're too wide.

And on a motorway you've got clearance of 0.35m either side in their lane. Then 0.7m either side of your car.

Yes some junctions are tight for some vehicles, but it tends to be because of their length and is to be expected when some of our roads are built through and around existing features.

Maybe they’re not too wide but I have certainly noticed what the OP has said. On the roads near me they are often on the wrong side over the centre line markings

On the roads near me they are often on the wrong side over the centre line markings

At least the roads have centre line markings. On most of my commute to work I have to pull over on to the verge to let HGVs and busses pass. One of the reasons I drive a 4x4.

YANBU. However I find it's poor driving rather than the size of vehicle.

Certainly so here in Ireland. Many of the roads just not built for large vehicles. So dangerous on the many narrow bendy roads, when you suddenly have a huge HGV thundering towards you. Not so bad when it’s a responsible driver but too many times they are either going too fast or veering over to the other side of the road, or sometimes both. The thing is, if they were to collide with a car or just clip it even, they’d be completely unaware, unhurt and carry on. A case of I’m alright Jack.

AIBU to think that the govt really should review widths of these large trucks/lorries/HGVs because their width is a danger to other drivers?

Have they got any wider over the years? I don't think buses have.

The size and weight etc of Large Goods Vehicles is set at EU level.

I drove for 50 years before giving up due to disability - never had a problem with the width of a vehicle, apart from the inconvenience of being stuck behind one where you couldn't overtake.

YABU. Every shipping container in the world is the same size. Do you think there should be a smaller size for Britain?

Frankly I think many modern cars are too wide for the roads we have, let alone HGVs etc, but I don't know how we put the genie back in the bottle, since it's certainly not realistic to either widen all roads or to redefine international standards on HGV construction to that extent (although as a side note I am enormously in favour of legislation to force improvements in HGV design that reduce blind spots etc).

Standard cars are not 2.2m wide. If your car is too wide for you to manage then buy something you can cope with.

I've never noticed this. My car says it is 1.75m wide

Do you not find ok narrow roads the larger vehicle pulls over? I live in the country and find buses and HGV drivers polite and they’ll always let cars past

Sounds like the issue is that you like many drivers don’t know how to drive safely near other vehicles

What about fire engines, or ambulances, are you wanting them to be made smaller, too?

Maybe take some lessons, it just sounds like you're intimidated by HGVs and you're unsure of how to drive appropriately. Often I see drivers 'veering' when there's no need, or not using common sense to allow room at roundabouts etc.

I don't think the issue is me - I'm a confident driver and have never been in an accident. I just don't think that 0.35m in either side is very much leeway for such a large vehicle. But it must be me!!