Author Topic: Messerschmitt accident on A38?  (Read 9261 times)

marcus

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2676
    • http://marcusdemowbray.wordpress.com/
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2011, 12:19:59 PM »
No opposing views from me, Alan, I quite agree with what you say. I have driven DUF from London down down to Faversham and back on the A2 / M2, but avoided busy times and kept as far to the left as possible. It was still not all that pleasant! Mike O'Ballance sticks a big orange rotating hazard on the rear of his Treinkel and I reckon that is a pretty wise thing to do.

Just remember: as one door closes behind you, another slams in your face

Bob Purton

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 5041
    • Inter microcar
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2011, 01:02:13 PM »
Yes, I too try to avoid busy times on the motorways. Last time I drove my schmitt to Bath I left at 4am for a clear run through London and down the M4 all was well untill a volvo driver deliberatly cut me up on an empty road! I guess he thought it was funny or maybe his granny was killed by a 901 during the war. I'm not a violent man but at that moment I could have swung for him! On the autobahn to Story I found the German drivers much more sympathetic and respectfull of our convoy.

marcus

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2676
    • http://marcusdemowbray.wordpress.com/
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #17 on: July 04, 2011, 01:20:20 PM »
I nearly got run over this morning while cycling back from the shops. Big car turned off the main road into the road I was in, but decided that the white lines down the middle of the road I was in meant nothing, to paraphrase "Chicken Run": "The whole ROAD is my side of the road".

Quite agree about the Germans, Bob, in my experience they and the Dutch are the best drivers in the world. Americans are very good around small towns and countryside, but on the Freeway they turn to homicidal suicidal maniacs. I think the standard of driving in UK has plummeted. try to pull in to a motorway and everyone tries to block you, try to change lane and they speed up to overtake you, and only the uncoolest drivers EVER use indicators.
Just remember: as one door closes behind you, another slams in your face

blob

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1276
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #18 on: July 04, 2011, 02:58:39 PM »
Quote
decided that the white lines down the middle of the road I was in meant nothing,

I blame those half hearted speed bumps, people always try to avoid them then get in the habit of ignoring white lines on most back streets.

Barry

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1207
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #19 on: July 04, 2011, 03:09:20 PM »
We have rumble strips to warn the deer.  More like earth quake strips when you are in a Messerschmitt.  The cars behind can't understand why I have to slow down so much.

marcus

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2676
    • http://marcusdemowbray.wordpress.com/
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #20 on: July 04, 2011, 06:32:45 PM »
Quote
decided that the white lines down the middle of the road I was in meant nothing,

I blame those half hearted speed bumps, people always try to avoid them then get in the habit of ignoring white lines on most back streets.

Yup! People are now so normalised to driving along the middle of the road with wheels either side of the central speed hump (when there are parked cars at the side) that they have forgotten what white lines are there for. It is bad enough when you are in a car, but if you are on a cycle (and cannot keep to the kerb, because of parked vehicles), the hostility which some drivers show is incredible!
Just remember: as one door closes behind you, another slams in your face

blob

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1276
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #21 on: July 04, 2011, 06:56:20 PM »
Quote
the hostility which some drivers show is incredible!

20 years of cycling in London and I've see it all, even been chased a few times! You should invest in a head-cam Marcus, these days a lot of riders are sending footage to the police to aid the prosecution of bad drivers.

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #22 on: July 04, 2011, 08:12:27 PM »
Indeed I have had a better driving experience in Germany. I put it down to the fact that they still have pride in their products and in the main the slight hold up is countered by the pleasure of seeing a vehicle they have some sort of respect/pride in on the road. Would they be as accommodating for a non German thing like French fridge? However unrestricted Autobahns are pretty scary if you fancy overtaking a truck. Holland, well they do have some complete loonies as well and I have been frightened more than a few times. France is used to pathetically slow machinery but the French do seem to enjoy harrising the British motorist for which I love them. The French have the good sense to stand up for themselves. Antwerp and Brussels rings - better than a video game.
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

marcus

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2676
    • http://marcusdemowbray.wordpress.com/
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #23 on: July 04, 2011, 08:25:51 PM »
I was treated almost like royalty when I drove across Germany in an old and tired Austin Maxi. Jaws dropped and a path cleared for me, politely, as if I was an extremely important alien god.

Yup cycling in London is tricky, but nowadays the worst people in the roads are.....






......the PEDESTRIANS! Jeez, are they allergic to pavements? Mums with babies and toddlers are the worst, then all the others who are far too cool to walk on the pavements, and who seem to be more interested in their phones than their safety, and they do get stroppy at any cyclist who they encounter in the road. I get fined if I cycle on the pavement, but around here I have less chance of hitting a pedestrian if I cycle there rather than the road! The world's gone nuts!
Just remember: as one door closes behind you, another slams in your face

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #24 on: July 05, 2011, 07:30:58 AM »
At the risk of being non PC I would suggest a lot of London's population have never seen a footpath before and do not know what it is for other than that its presence means 'gold'!
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)

  • Global Moderator
  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1221
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #25 on: August 29, 2011, 07:56:48 PM »
this showed up in my News Alerts box:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Micro-car-involved-in-A38-crash-02072011.htm

Micro car involved in A38 crash July 2 2011

TWO people in a micro car have been taken to hospital by air ambulance after a road traffic collision on the A38 this afternoon (Saturday).

The incident happened on the A38 southbound at Wychnor between Barton Turn and Alrewas at around 2pm and involved a Messerschmitt micro car and a Citroen Saxo.

The two people travelling in the Messerschmitt were both flown by air ambulance as a precaution with head injuries, one to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and one to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

One lane of the southbound carriageway had to be closed while recovery work took place causing some delays for motorists in the area.


Here's a link to the follow-up. >:(

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Drink-driver-tried-to-blame-crash-victims-26082011.htm
Malcolm
Bond Mk D - "The Bond Minicar solves your problem"
Nobel 200 - "Almost as cheap as breathing!"

Jim Janecek

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 864
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #26 on: August 29, 2011, 08:16:40 PM »
from the follow up:
"For the offence of driving without due care and attention, he was ordered to pay a £100 fine, £15 victim surcharge and £85 court costs."

that's it?


Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #27 on: August 30, 2011, 07:49:21 AM »
Dave Dawes, that is a name known to micronauts. They are MEC members and probably MOC members local to the area of the accident. Well at least they are OK even if a bit battered. Was the other guy insured? One assumes so as that is going to be quite a big claim. You can kind of see what happened and I go back to the problem of going slower than average on a fast road when you have drivers not or unable to concentrate. Does not make it right but better to learn from others misfortune and avoid being placed in a dangerous position. Then they are local so maybe it is not a bad bit of road. That said a drunk is just as likely to run into you in town if your numbers on his bumper. All very unfortunate.
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

Jonathan Poll

  • Jonny One Nob
  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1132
  • Nobel 200 Anorak
    • Nobel 200 Restoration
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #28 on: August 30, 2011, 10:50:45 AM »
from the follow up:
"For the offence of driving without due care and attention, he was ordered to pay a £100 fine, £15 victim surcharge and £85 court costs."

that's it?



Stupid. In France, tis the opposite! You get a 90€ fine for going less than 10% over the limit!
Cars: Messerschmitt KR200, Nobel 200
Mopeds:
- Peugeot BB3SP, BB3T, BB3 "BITZA", BB VT, BB104,  TSA, Bima Luxe,
- Motobecane: 50V, M7 SL, 51 Club, EV50
- Other mopeds: Malaguti Superquattro, Solex 2200, Puch Monza, Puch Maxi

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Messerschmitt accident on A38?
« Reply #29 on: August 31, 2011, 11:00:49 AM »
That is true too. We should have a minimum speed limit for motorways and dual carriageways. I subscribe to the opinion that slow drivers cause quite a few incidents, not least some where the faster driver gets the blame by default. Case in point I ran into the back of a Metro in Burford in a van loaded and trailing. Initially it was  all my fault till I pointed out the angle that the van had impacted the car. This undermined the guys innocent plea as in fact he had pulled out under my wheels without looking and I caught him at just enough angle that it was clear what happened. He would have got away with it if he had got on with it but he was an old git in a Metro so I had to leave some of my tyres on the road but still hit him. That same van squashed another Metro in a similar incident council guys found in my favour as the guy was dicking about so the claim was not supported. (Old style Fiat Ducatto, four accidents, none judged my fault but certainly one error of judgement in there, and bought in accident damaged, yet it still ran throughout without more than steering adjustments and a tyre for all of that. Brilliant. Much better than modern plastic bumpered whimp wagons. Did about 7 Mannhiems and lots more in it, never let me down).
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs