RV MAIL
KIDS WILL BE KIDS?
I know, I know, I know: I am about to seem like an old grump. My husband and I were staying at a van park on the New South Wales North Coast which I won’ t name because it isn’ t relevant to my point. We were trying to enjoy the peace and quiet, but a group of nearby kids kept kicking their ball near our van and at one stage hit our van with it. Another came barreling through our site and tripped on the rope securing our awning.
We have had young kids and completely agree that the outdoors is good for them … but we felt that their parents should have been supervising or at least ushering these kids somewhere else to play where they wouldn’ t be disturbing others. It’ s basic common courtesy.
I’ m a patient person but, after an hour of this, I gave up and went inside the van. Am I being a‘ fuddy-duddy’?
Margaret Hamilton, NSW
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LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
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OVERTAKEN BY TRUCKS
Thanks for the tips in the last issue about sharing the road with truckies and of course sharing rest areas with them. I have been a caravanner for 15 years and have travelled to most places with my Pajero and old Jayco, and like everyone, have often encountered road trains.
The advice that Wayne Hicks gave in the video last month was excellent. Ultimately, in order to overtake, truck drivers need to be able to confidently predict what the person towing the caravan is going to do. Wayne said that caravanners should“ keep doing what you’ re doing” – maintain your speed, and don’ t pull onto the shoulder and spray up dirt. This will allow the truck driver to accurately gauge an appropriate overtaking speed and judge the time it’ ll take before they pull into the overtaking lane. As Wayne said, you can then gradually reduce your speed so that the truckie can cruise by.
The amount of times I have seen people speed up when a truck tries to overtake is ridiculous. I’ m convinced that this would be a better world if we used a bit of common sense and showed courtesy to others. Thank you for this crucial safety advice.
Dave Hedges, SA