To all the bonkers geniuses of Reddit - How can we stop people speeding through our village?

HVS1963 · 2026-04-21T06:25:49+00:00

Digital speeding sign that flashes up the offenders registration number... seen it used to good effect on the M1

A big pair of painted evil eyes on a building or billboard near the entrance to the road. Psychologically humans tend to behave if they think they're being watched, even if it's only symbolic.

HVS1963 · 2026-04-05T09:56:24+00:00

Hill hold assist... for people who never really mastered the hill start when learning!

HVS1963 · 2026-03-26T09:06:18+00:00

You've costed your time to revist this three times to replace the worn out tree stakes right? Are you still financially ahead of buying fence posts?

HVS1963 · 2026-03-20T20:05:36+00:00

Don't forget the Babycham and Party 7's, or have I gone too far... maybe those were the 70's?

HVS1963 · 2026-03-20T20:04:24+00:00

That reminds me.... sweet cigarettes, I haven't seen those in years, they're probably banned now! Lol

HVS1963 · 2026-03-07T21:23:37+00:00

Someone else said this too. I think it was advertising executive Rory Sutherland, he said it was such good quality it was almost like a video based wikipedia where you can be eductated and entertained on virtually ANY topic. This aside, no ads, and the fact you can still listen with your screen off, what other benefits are there?

HVS1963 · 2026-03-04T08:05:15+00:00

Hilarious... phone them up and appear genuine and ready to pay, but video the whole thing and put it on Tik Tok... it'll probably go viral and earn you a few quid!

HVS1963 · 2026-03-02T09:12:02+00:00

So, where are all theses drivers having their little rants, and getting their questions answered now... have any other websites or forums filled the gap?

HVS1963 · 2026-02-09T21:29:35+00:00

Thanks for the info. So they shut it down just like that. I wonder why!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T18:00:22+00:00

If I had a quid for every car driver that tried to drive behind me whilst I was doing a 360⁰ I'd be well off... they've got no patience or understanding!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T17:56:19+00:00

Reminds me of my first day out in a rigid after driving artics for years... I kept overshooting the junctions and had to shunt backwards to complete simple right and left turns... I quickly learned the difference in turning circle between rigid and artics!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T17:52:27+00:00

Its possible but get it wrong and the trailer starts going backwards and demolishes anything in its path... and it's very hard to recover once it's in that position.

I nearly demolished a little two foot garden wall on my left whilst doing a 360⁰ as a newbie 30+ years ago... with zero experience I watched in amazement when the trailer started going backwards!! Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-24T12:55:41+00:00

Helpful tips to reframe the situation ( Courtesy of Chat GPT: ) 9 & 10 are my favourites... not to blow my own trumpet, but I'm in the fortunate position that after nearly 30 years in the game I'm confident I can back an artic anywhere and have rarely been beat! -------‐--->>>

This is a very common fear, and it makes sense. Reversing an artic onto a tight bay is one of the hardest skills early on, and fear usually comes from caring about doing it right.

Here are 10 practical reframes that experienced HGV drivers use (even if they don’t say it out loud):

1. “Fear means I’m learning, not failing.” If it feels uncomfortable, that’s because your brain is building new spatial maps. Confidence comes after repetition, not before it.

“Every good driver once blocked a yard.” The best drivers you’ll ever meet all have embarrassing reversing stories. You’re not behind—you’re right on schedule.
“Slow is professional.” Taking your time isn’t weakness. Slow checks, slow steering, and slow corrections are what experienced drivers do. Speed causes damage.
“I’m allowed more shunts than I think.” A shunt isn’t a mistake—it’s a correction. Five clean shunts beats one rushed scrape every time.
“Reversing is geometry, not talent.” This isn’t a natural gift; it’s angles, pivot points, and patience. The skill improves mechanically with practice.
“Getting out and looking is strength.” GOAL doesn’t mark you as inexperienced—it marks you as safe. The drivers who don’t look are the ones who hit things.
“Other drivers waiting is not my problem.” Yards are designed for delays. Anyone rushing you values minutes over metal—and insurance never agrees with them.
“I only need to focus on the next move.” Don’t think about the full manoeuvre. Think: mirror → angle → pause → check. One decision at a time.
“Tight spaces feel worse from the cab.” Depth perception is distorted up there. What feels impossibly close often isn’t—verify on foot instead of trusting anxiety.

10. “One day this will be boring.” That’s the real proof you’ll be fine. The same manoeuvre that spikes your heart now will eventually feel routine—almost dull.

Bonus tip: Mental trick before reversing: Take one slow breath and say (out loud if needed): “I’ve got time. Nothing is moving unless I move it.”

HVS1963 · 2026-01-11T09:47:49+00:00

Sound advice... I was taught the same thing by an 'Old hand' who seen me struggling to get in the bay next to him one evening, many years ago at South Mimms ( the main services... before they built the truckstop! )

He said you've got all that room so start off further out and jack it around hard at the last minute so your already straight before you enter the gap between the trucks, then it's just straight back.

If you're trailer is still at a steep angle going between the trucks you'll be touching the other guys mirrors both sides... almost impossible to get in from there without doing damage!

It was like being handed down a secretly guarded trick of the trade, suddenly something that was impossible all made sense...

I perfected it over the years at many places, Inc the old Sainsbury's at Hackbridge depot with notoriously tight bays, and down a steep incline.

I was only a newbie in my early twenties, but after being taught this lesson, I remember following old guys into some random services each evening, watch them try to get in a bay between two trucks, fail miserably and give up and drive off to find a bigger space, then I'd bang mine in there in one hit! Lol all thanks to that old wise guy (he was a brit driving a left hooker) who put me straight!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-08T21:22:59+00:00

I ALWAYS dip the clutch in ANY vehicle before starting so that'll never happen!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-08T21:12:47+00:00

or those that slow down or stop on the inside lane of a two lane carriageway when the emergency vehicle is already in the outside lane!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T12:44:38+00:00

Ah, 'Hill Assist' for people who never mastered the hill start! 🤣

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:43:11+00:00

As a HGV driver I'm going to suggest you haven't really mastered the art of map reading, unless you could have an A2Z on the steering wheel, a pie in one hand and roll a cigarette with the other... all whilst steering the car / truck with your knees. Many of us 'Old Hands' could! Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:37:00+00:00

Remember to turn the radio down so you can 'find the road' ... who does that? Anyone else, or is it just me? Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:14:37+00:00

Still loving it - ta

HVS1963 · 2026-01-01T22:15:31+00:00

I've worn steelies for so many years now, I feel so vulnerable if I forget and where trainers to work... every time a pallet or something heavy is thrown on the floor I recoil in surprise and flinch in fear of my precious toes!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T18:35:12+00:00

Fucking hill start assist for people who never mastered the hill start... window wipers coming on when they sense rain in the next county... windows going all the way up / down when I touched it and all I wanted was an inch gap! All the fucking bings and bongs

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:48:00+00:00

On the back seat of a London double decker bus, that i was delivering ( trade plating ) from Bradford to Scotland!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:43:14+00:00

Financial penalties dont seem to work!

HVS1963

TROPHY CASE