To 4X4 drivers in Wandsworth Post Reply

[Wheresmyschool?]

For the right of way question, if I am driving down a road (say Broxash) and I get to within thirty yards of the end and then someone turns into the road then I consider I have right of way.

This is based on suggestions in the Highway Code in that

a) the person who is coming uphill has ROW. I ignore this as we don't usually have any hills

b) the person nearest the "passing place" should reverse into the passing place or pull into the passing place.

Since they've usually just moved away from a passing place (the space at the end of the road, i.e. the junction) then it's might right of way.

Simples!

[momormum]

I'm not a big fan of range rovers either, but I'm not sure what the point of this OP is? It will only serve to wind people up. I dont think that any range rover drivers will read this and think 'hmmmm....actually I can't drive very well. I think I will chuck in my rover and buy a Polo instead' .....sorry but I just don't see the point. I really like NVN, but lately we are seeing more rants like this. Apologies to the OP - it is definitely not just you!

[juliantenniscoach]

Yep it's definitely a driving behaviour problem not one of size. The car seat issue is definitely an issue if you have 3 children and there's not that much difference between a people carrier and a 4x4.

We live in selfish World do we not? That does seem to manifest itself behind the wheel..............

[Wheresmyschool?]

Sorry if you feel I'm ranting.

I know it comes across as that but I honestly feel that if people realise that 4x4's in Wandsworth are a) unsafe b) anti-social c) environmentally unfriendly then there is a good chance that they'll at least think before they purchase them again.

I might be being naiive

But I do honestly wonder why some people would choose to drive such monsters when all their doing is grinding up and down narrow roads, bunched up outside school gates etc.

[juliantenniscoach]

Alas:-
a, where's the evidence?
b, matter of opinion
c, not necessarily

I'll declare my hand in that I have one of the biggest 4x4's (Toyota Landcruiser) and one of the smallest cars in NV (Austin a35).

I bought the toyota after I was sideswiped by an Audi A3 in Putney which wrote off our Volvo V40. I wanted something that would protect my family. I can also use this for business and holidays (Britany this summer). I've never hit anyone/thing in this car and neither has my wife in the 3 years we've had it.

Where's the evidence that they are unsafe? I mean proper research not page 2 of the Daily Mail

Anti-social? I try not to be and I've had no feedback to the contrary.

Environmentally unfriendly? Nope, runs on LPG. It produces less harmful emisions than any petrol or diesel car.

So it goes back to driving standards and behaviour don't you think?

[Wheresmyschool?]

Yes Julian you're right, it is mainly about driving style/safety.

The antisocial element is interesting.

In my little VW it is easily possible for two well driven Golf's to pass side by side in our narrow streets.

That is normally not possible with a 4x4. So the antisocial element I feel is that you're stopping smooth traffic flow just by "being", that's anti-social.

I also accept that even a badly driven 4x4 by a sober mum at a reasonable speed is much much safer than a drunk driver or a nutty kid doing 50 in a 30, so although I get very irate I don't want to demonise too much.

[Moop]

I was (along with my newborn in a sling) nearly run over by this stereotype last week as she was too busy talking on the phone to be able to stop as she turned the corner. Pah!

[juliantenniscoach]

Now that IS a problem. I'm amazed how many people are still on their phone whilst driving. The cost of a hands free set against the cost of the car is minimal. Stereotyping here, the worst culprits I see around here are white van drivers. Sorry to stereotype it's just my observation whether I'm driving, walking or cycling.

[Wheresmyschool?]

thin blonde white-van drivers on phones.

that's who we are gunning for

[juliantenniscoach]

LOL

[Nanny_McPhee]

As a nanny I have driven many cars over the years and the volvo XC90 was one of my favourites, very comfortable and easy to drive and never had problems parking it. I currently drive a VW Passat estate and I would argue it is just as long and wide as the volvo xc90 just not quite as high so I do think it depends on the 4x4 you are referring to. I have also had a mercedes c220 which has 6 gears, not that i even saw 4th or 5th on the school run around London that could guzzle diesel like no ones business.
The argument of, if you have 3 children you need one is utterly ridiculous, one of my employers actually sold her BMW X5 because she couldn't get 3 car seats across the back of hers and the same with a Range Rover, they reluctantly gave in and bought a people carrier.
I own a Honda civic and depending on the type of car seats I can get 3 children across the back. I have had 2 boosters and britax in the middle, or two britax's and an older child in the middle.
Range rover sports and ones alike do seem completely pointless they aren't spacious inside and can actually move quite fast (unlike volvos) and contrary to the first poster I find these are mainly driven by men and are extension of their ego erhem

[supergirl]

We ve sold pur scenic to people who put 3 car seats on the backs. Couldnt believe how still comfortable it was for these 3 kids.
Plus the scenic comes with plenty of storage: drawers under each seats front and back, secret doors in the floor, in the sides of the boot, etc.

And much much smaller than any 4x4.

I agree the environmentally friendly argument is no longer for new generations of 4x4. However a lot around are not the new generation AND it seems that the vast majority (not all i grant you) of people who drive (and have bought or get through the company car allowance) are selfish entitled people who drives and behave the same way. So unfirtunately, IMO it is not so much the size of the car (although why do you need that in london is beyond me) it is much to do with the attitute: look at me i m higher and bigger than you so even if you have the right if way i wont bulge (brcause i cant reverse my car's too big ).

On Spencer Rd you have those gigantic volvos and the like park in their drive but they are so big they dont fit so the back of the car eat half the width of the pavement. Please tell me that this is not being selfish and entitled? I m this close to call thr council and ask if they re allowed to park accross it (and the only reason i havent yet is because the idea of reporting the plate numbers diesnt sit well with me but for how long?).

[SoConfused!]

I recently did some research into this as were looking for a new car (and because am a boring geek!)

These are average figures....

The latest range rover sport 2013 petrol - which seems to be "the in" care in NV - CO2 emission is 298 g/km

The latest Audi A3 which perfectly fits a family of 5- CO2 emission 99 g/km.

So please don't give e the "4x4 are not necessarily more polluting" because they are.

But perhaps the blond wife doesn't look as hot in an A3!!!

So sad that because of a status symbol, people stop thinking about these things when their children are also breathing these fumes...

[kewty]

I always find the NVN 4x4 debates great fun to read, from the Eco-warrior, to the chip on shoulder, to the 4x4 fan club!

Before I got married I had never owned a car or driven a car in London, public transport was and where possible still is perfectly good for me and my family. The first car I drove in London was our Audi a4, but after a few years and two children we found our lifestyle out grew the car. Hubby did all the research and much to my reluctance we bought a range rover vogue (second hand and not black!) I find it much easier to drive than the Audi and visibility,especially with the reversing camera and sensors is brilliant. We never use the car for school runs as we live less that 100 yards from the school but we do rack up 12000 miles a year going to Devon, france, Yorkshire to name a few. The car is especially useful when driving on snowy alpine roads and launching and recovering our little boat, which also brings me onto carting around out board engines jerry cans, life jackets, and all the usual clobber that goes with boating and family holidays, which normally requires a roof box as well.

The long and short of it is, I am not a fan of 4x4's for London use, but every family is different and has different needs. I do believe that no matter what car you drive, you should always know how wide your car actually is and manners and a smile cost nothing.

Happy driving!
Kx

[supergirl]

@Kewty: many many cars could help you live as you ve described without being a 4x4.

The Alps were pretty much my playground. My grandmother lived (sadly but we still have the house) 1750m above the sea. Pretty every winter the road leading to the Col was closed at some point. The farmers with their tractors push the snow away, they put the salt on the rd. as children before the xmas mass we were asked to go down yo the valley (with crampons, sticks) with 2 small bags of salt (on top of the farmers salt) so all villagers could go to mass. It was a 4-5hrs trek return. I dont think what we did was useful but it was the tradition snd great fun.
Snyway, my grandmother was driving a renault 4L, my parents at some point a R25, i dont remember any villagers driving a 4x4. In winter you d put the chains on and the snow tyres.
And it would get you up there.

Please dont justify the existence of a 4x4 for snowy Alps, not to me anyway!


But like you said: manners are the key point.