Britain - The Official Thread

[UKMikey]

This is the best I could do regarding that baffling front page:

Why the plot to oust Boris Johnson as Prime Minister has been named after a pie

Boris Johnson has come under scrutiny after being accused of lying to parliament about Downing Street parties during lockdown

inews.co.uk

 

[Famine]

It seems like all we've heard about on the front pages this year is Novak Djokovic, and Boris Johnson's parties or not-parties, or work events, or whatever the hell they are.

This isn't going to be what kills him. Most people don't care, or have been driven not to care by outrage fatigue (Trump's technique). Of those who do, most also broke lockdown rules or think he's a right lad innit. The rest is probably an even split between the absolutely outraged and the resigned to this mincery, with probably a small number who actually believe he didn't go or if he did go he thought it was a work event and didn't know it broke the rules he was telling everyone about at the same time.

If the parties were going to oust him, it would have happened two weeks ago. I get that we don't really want to know about nuclear war in Ukraine, but it's clear that it's keeping other stuff off the front pages while we flap on about whether the blustering, lying, philandering apeclown is lying again or not.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Can anyone explain this to me?

The white text in the red box at the top of the image actually contains a warning that everything underneath might be nonsensical bovine poo.

 

[EngieDiesel]

The white text in the red box at the top of the image actually contains a warning that everything underneath might be nonsensical bovine poo.

I think they just really wanted to print an image of Boris gawking in awe at a giant pie. Tabloids are basically just grade schoolers who somehow got a public outlet for their playground chatter, after all.

 

[PeterJB]

I don't get where the pork pie analogy comes from. A scotch egg one would be more topical.

 

[UKMikey]

I don't get where the pork pie analogy comes from. A scotch egg one would be more topical.

I thought it was supposed to be rhyming slang but the article I posted above says one of the alleged ousters is MP for Melton Mowbray.

No idea what "crust ahead" is supposed to be a pun on though.

 

[merseyxshore]

God I hate the S*n

 

[Roo]

No idea what "crust ahead" is supposed to be a pun on though.

"Just ahead" would be my guess.

 

[Liquid]

Crust The Savloyteurs

Or something.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Amendments to the Highway code apparently come in this week... I'd seen a bunch of click-baity headlines a couple of weeks ago, and dismissed the subject, but.. it does seem to be a thing.

The new restrictions are one thing... but it's pretty shocking that there's not been a more official awareness campaign... indeed the following quote is from Autoexpress...

A statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament that means the updated Highway Code will come into effect on 29 January 2022, but there’s no official plan to communicate the changes until they actually come into force. Indeed, the Department for Transport (DfT) says some of the new Highway Code wording still needs to be finalised.

So currently the amendments are a 27 page document that reads (understandably) like a regulatory standard.

The changes themselves, though not crazy, and already implemented in certain countries, do turn things on their head a bit, and potentially put those they seek to protect most directly in the firing line. Failure to communicate these changes really is putting a target on the pedestrians and cyclists it's trying to make safer.

 

[PeterJB]

Amendments to the Highway code apparently come in this week... I'd seen a bunch of click-baity headlines a couple of weeks ago, and dismissed the subject, but.. it does seem to be a thing.

The new restrictions are one thing... but it's pretty shocking that there's not been a more official awareness campaign... indeed the following quote is from Autoexpress...

A statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament that means the updated Highway Code will come into effect on 29 January 2022, but there’s no official plan to communicate the changes until they actually come into force. Indeed, the Department for Transport (DfT) says some of the new Highway Code wording still needs to be finalised.

So currently the amendments are a 27 page document that reads (understandably) like a regulatory standard.

The changes themselves, though not crazy, and already implemented in certain countries, do turn things on their head a bit, and potentially put those they seek to protect most directly in the firing line. Failure to communicate these changes really is putting a target on the pedestrians and cyclists it's trying to make safer.

View attachment 1108194

Pre-pandemic I used to cycle almost almost every day (mostly for work purposes, not as a MAMMAL). Having been a pizza delivery cyclist in Cardiff, these are all pretty common sense rules; ones I've always done by best to obey, and ones I wish more cyclists and motorists would obey, as well. Cardiff is reasonably well accommodating of cyclists with most of the main roads having cycle lanes, and North Road having a separate cycle path running parallel to it for most of its length. I've lost count of the amount of times I saw Deliveroo cyclists blasting through red lights at the four-way intersections in Cathays and Roath, often almost hitting me in the process. I'm a pretty confident cyclist but I had one or two close calls; a couple of them were on me, usually late at night but most of them were people cutting me off at T-junctions or roundabouts. Despite time being of the essence when on delivery I would just keep as far away from buses as possible and slow down approaching every junction. I understand people not liking the idea of giving cyclists priority in a lot of these situations with the way some of them behave. I don't want to say there's a stigma around cyclists, cause that makes us sound like some kind of oppressed or marginalised group, but even if you're obeying the rules you can tell people do just want you off the road, but at the same time, considering how much higher the risks are for cyclists in the event of an accident, you also have a responsibility to not behave like a dick and obey the rules motorists spend weeks learning in order to get a license.

 

[XJ40]

Amendments to the Highway code apparently come in this week... I'd seen a bunch of click-baity headlines a couple of weeks ago, and dismissed the subject, but.. it does seem to be a thing.

The new restrictions are one thing... but it's pretty shocking that there's not been a more official awareness campaign... indeed the following quote is from Autoexpress...

A statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament that means the updated Highway Code will come into effect on 29 January 2022, but there’s no official plan to communicate the changes until they actually come into force. Indeed, the Department for Transport (DfT) says some of the new Highway Code wording still needs to be finalised.

So currently the amendments are a 27 page document that reads (understandably) like a regulatory standard.

The changes themselves, though not crazy, and already implemented in certain countries, do turn things on their head a bit, and potentially put those they seek to protect most directly in the firing line. Failure to communicate these changes really is putting a target on the pedestrians and cyclists it's trying to make safer.

View attachment 1108194

Rule H1: Common sense really. This was drilled into me during my bus lessons and especially during HGV training.
Rule H2: Something I was taught during lessons and practised in driving tests (I've done 4).
Rule H3: The reason I stopped cycling. Apart from the criminal rage I got into when getting 'cut up' happened to me, I found the general lack of patience towards cyclists was going to get me killed.

Overall it's good to see this stuff being made into law, even though I reckon its 20 years too late.

 

[Roo]

Amendments to the Highway code apparently come in this week... I'd seen a bunch of click-baity headlines a couple of weeks ago, and dismissed the subject, but.. it does seem to be a thing.

The new restrictions are one thing... but it's pretty shocking that there's not been a more official awareness campaign... indeed the following quote is from Autoexpress...

A statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament that means the updated Highway Code will come into effect on 29 January 2022, but there’s no official plan to communicate the changes until they actually come into force. Indeed, the Department for Transport (DfT) says some of the new Highway Code wording still needs to be finalised.

So currently the amendments are a 27 page document that reads (understandably) like a regulatory standard.

The changes themselves, though not crazy, and already implemented in certain countries, do turn things on their head a bit, and potentially put those they seek to protect most directly in the firing line. Failure to communicate these changes really is putting a target on the pedestrians and cyclists it's trying to make safer.

1643119637145.png

Speaking as an HGV driver...

I've always driven trucks assuming the hierarchy described in the picture was already in place. My concern with the change in rules is that people will use it as carte blanche to walk/ride/drive irresponsibly around HGVs because they now do have less responsibility. My job could already be better described as "accident avoider", and I feel this change will only make matters worse.

I wonder how this will work in practice. For example, turning left in an artic sometimes requires beginning the manoeuvre from the right lane (reverse the sides for those who drive on the right). We're taught to keep looking in the nearside mirror for cars and bicycles in the left lane who don't understand what an indicator means the room lorries require, but now cars and bikes have priority, truck drivers will have to wait for someone to disregard the rules and let the lorry turn in order to stop blocking the road. My issue is rules shouldn't have to be ignored, particularly rules put in place for safety, in order for traffic to flow... although I guess traffic is at its safest when stationary

This may read like the ramblings of a grumpy truckie, but I'm not angry at all and I'm not suggesting HGVs ought to have priority, but I do worry that those who travel irresponsibly under the current rules will now feel emboldened by these reworded ones, to everyone's detriment.

 

[XJ40]

Speaking as an HGV driver...

I've always driven trucks assuming the hierarchy described in the picture was already in place. My concern with the change in rules is that people will use it as carte blanche to walk/ride/drive irresponsibly around HGVs because the now do have less responsibility. My job could already be better described as "accident avoider", and I feel this change will only make matters worse.

I wonder how this will work in practice. For example, turning left in an artic sometimes requires beginning the manoeuvre from the right lane (reverse the sides for those who drive on the right). We're taught to keep looking in the nearside mirror for cars and bicycles in the left lane who don't understand what an indicator means the room lorries require, but now cars and bikes have priority, truck drivers will have to wait for someone to disregard the rules and let the lorry turn in order to stop blocking the road. My issue is rules shouldn't have to be ignored, particularly rules put in place for safety, in order for traffic to flow... although I guess traffic is at its safest when stationary

This may read like the ramblings of a grumpy truckie, but I'm not angry at all and I'm not suggesting HGVs ought to have priority, but I do worry that those who travel irresponsibly under the current rules will now feel emboldened by these reworded ones, to everyone's detriment.

The articles in the media that say 'pedestrians can cross where and when they like' don't help at all.
Some people lack common sense, self preservation, or just want to be able to claim compensation once they are out of hospital.

 

[UKMikey]

I failed my first driving test by slowing down for a pedestrian waiting at a zebra crossing so it's nice to know it's been included in the code now. I hope it also stops cyclists speeding down pedestrian walkways but I'm not holding out much hope.

 

[Liquid]

Biggest furore I've seen has been over the Dutch reach.

You'll be FINED if you DON'T DO IT

No. You'll be fined if you are involed in a door-opening accident. The Dutch reach is there and now encouraged to lessen the chances of that happening.

 

[Roo]

I failed my first driving test by slowing down for a passenger waiting at a zebra crossing so it's nice to know it's been included in the code now. I hope it also stops cyclists speeding down pedestrian walkways but I'm not holding out much hope.

If it helps, when learning to drive trucks in 2017 I was taught to look out for pedestrians not just crossing, but who look like they're about to cross, and slow down accordingly.

Although I wouldn't take HGV driver trainers as paragons of road safety... as a former coworker of mine explained, his trainer once gave him this advice:

"Treat the kerb like a 15 year old girl... you can brush against it, but don't mount it."

 

[Barra333]

My concern with the change in rules is that people will use it as carte blanche to walk/ride/drive irresponsibly around HGVs because they now do have less responsibility.

Pedestrians and cyclists also need to remember that having right of way is of no use if you are dead.

 

[Liquid]

"Treat the kerb like a 15 year old girl... you can brush against it, but don't mount it."

Prince Andrew taught you to drive lorries?

 

[DG_Silva]

My concern with the change in rules is that people will use it as carte blanche to walk/ride/drive irresponsibly around HGVs because they now do have less responsibility. My job could already be better described as "accident avoider", and I feel this change will only make matters worse.

I wonder how this will work in practice. For example, turning left in an artic sometimes requires beginning the manoeuvre from the right lane (reverse the sides for those who drive on the right). We're taught to keep looking in the nearside mirror for cars and bicycles in the left lane who don't understand what an indicator means the room lorries require, but now cars and bikes have priority, truck drivers will have to wait for someone to disregard the rules and let the lorry turn in order to stop blocking the road. My issue is rules shouldn't have to be ignored, particularly rules put in place for safety, in order for traffic to flow... although I guess traffic is at its safest when stationary

This may read like the ramblings of a grumpy truckie, but I'm not angry at all and I'm not suggesting HGVs ought to have priority, but I do worry that those who travel irresponsibly under the current rules will now feel emboldened by these reworded ones, to everyone's detriment.

This is my concern also. As a non-professional driver but someone who used to commute 40 miles every day, the standard of driving I've seen in Birmingham is disgraceful. By far, the biggest issue at the moment is drivers not being able to stop at a roundabout properly - they either carry onto the roundabout without stopping, regardless of who is coming, or they brake so late that they encroach onto the roundabout so you don't know if they're going to stop or not.

This change in the Highway Code will bring a change in mindset for road users, blaming the level below them for causing an accident even if they were responsible. Using @Roo's example above, when an articulated lorry has to take a wide line for a tight entrance, the bloody ignorant driver/cyclist who pulls up alongside the lorry as they start their manoeuvre and gets crushed by the swivelling trailer is going to blame the lorry driver because they sit below them in the hierarchy, not because they deliberately put themselves into a decreasing gap.

However it changes, it must not result in an increase in Crash for Cash claims being successful, and I feel that dashcams will become even more of an essential piece of equipment.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I feel that dashcams will become even more of an essential piece of equipment

I think a 360 degree camera on the head will be more useful.

The more I think about it, pedestrian right of way at junctions is totally moronic. If you're expected to give way to something in all conditions, that thing has to be visible. Pedestrians, especially at night, are generally not, and doubly so when they're back lit by another vehicle (like a Range Rover with eye level retina dissolving HID lamps), and your headlights are pointed at 90° to them until you start your manouvere. It's bonkers to think this is going to be safe for pedestrians.

 

[Blitz24]

Has Cake-gate become a thing yet, or are the British not as stupid as us Americans to even have a scandal like that?

 

[Famine]

Has Cake-gate become a thing yet, or are the British not as stupid as us Americans to even have a scandal like that?

Of course it has. The Brinternet is awash with cake memes, and the papers are guaranteed to have headlines like "Let Him Eat Cake" tomorrow.

This still isn't going to be what kills him.

 

[MatskiMonk]

This still isn't going to be what kills him.

... why, what have you heard? Is there somewhere we can sign up?

 

[DG_Silva]

Pedestrians, especially at night, are generally not, and doubly so when they're back lit by another vehicle (like a Range Rover with eye level retina dissolving HID lamps), and your headlights are pointed at 90° to them until you start your manouvere. It's bonkers to think this is going to be safe for pedestrians.

And especially when they wear dark clothes at night and you can barely see them. In Birmingham, drivers are an absolute nightmare; I don't trust anyone when crossing the road on the straight, and certainly wouldn't trust anyone at a junction. If the standards of driving were better in the UK, the new rules would make sense - right now, it's just a recipe for personal injury claims.

 

[Touring Mars]

Of course it has. The Brinternet is awash with cake memes, and the papers are guaranteed to have headlines like "Let Him Eat Cake" tomorrow.

This still isn't going to be what kills him.

 

[DG_Silva]

View attachment 1108309

I thought Bernard Manning's line was best.

Spoiler: A little bit sweary

 

[Dotini]

The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP
Official portrait, 2017

Liz Truss branded ‘demented’ for claiming China could exploit Ukraine invasion for Pacific attacks​

Former Australian PM Paul Keating calls foreign secretary’s warning ‘nothing short of demented’​

Truss ‘demented’ for claiming China could exploit Ukraine war for Pacific attacks

Former Australian PM Paul Keating calls foreign secretary’s warning ‘nothing short of demented’

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Dennisch]

Biggest furore I've seen has been over the Dutch reach.

You'll be FINED if you DON'T DO IT

No. You'll be fined if you are involed in a door-opening accident. The Dutch reach is there and now encouraged to lessen the chances of that happening.

And here they're claiming that it might be dangerous to rely on the Dutch reach. We are taught to just keep your ****ing eyes open when opening a door.

 

[Touring Mars]

A legend of British comedy, Barry Cryer, has died today aged 86.

Barry Cryer wrote for and worked with many of the most influential and popular comedians in British history, including Spike Milligan, Billy Connolly, The Two Ronnies, Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson, Jasper Carrot and many more.

He started off working with David Frost on the Frost Report in 1966, which included Ronnie Barker, Marty Feldman and a few other relative unknowns, namely John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Eric Idle...

He is more recently known for his regular appearances on the radio comedy series 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue', but he will be remembered more as a comedy writer who has arguably had as much influence on British comedy than anyone else in history.

RIP Barry Cryer