General Safety:
When convoying in town or on motorway, ensure that a sufficient gap is left between you and vehicle in front of you. Do not be tempted to follow to closely for fear of losing the cars ahead and getting lost. If you do become separated from the lead car, don’t worry they should either pull over and wait for you or slow down if appropriate to provide time to catch up. On motorways this will be especially important as following to closely can lead to multiple nose-to-tail impacts in an emergency situation, and nobody wants to see twisted and mangled cars now do they?!
Speed restrictions should be adhered to at all times.
Speeding in convoy is extremely dangerous, so please keep your distance and watch your speed.
Do not attempt dangerous or sudden overtaking manoeuvres or erratic high speed movements.
All normal road safety laws must be followed at all times!!
Also, bear in mind that the laws relating to mobile phones have now changed.
Do not operate any hand held communication devices when driving, these include cellular telephones.
Preparation:
When setting out on a long convoy, members should consider making relevant checks to their vehicle. Oil, coolant levels and tyre pressures are a good start. Before arriving at the convoy start point, members should make efforts to arrive at the meeting point with a full tank of fuel.
This will prevent the need for the convoy to stop more than is necessary. Also if members have one, they should set out with a charged mobile phone (not to be operated whilst driving) incase they become separated from the group. Ensure that you have the number of one of the lead cars before setting off. Use a hands free kit where appropriate.
Routes/maps:
One car should be designated as the lead car for each convoy or each leg of the convoy. The driver of the lead car should have good knowledge of the area and/or be the navigator of the convoy and as such should have the route planned to the destination and have maps in the vehicle if need be.
The lead vehicle should make note of the number of cars in the convoy and during the journey should regularly check that no one has been lost on route. Should a car or group of cars become separated from the main group, then the main group should either slow or stop (which ever is more appropriate) at the earliest possible occasion and wait for the other vehicles to rejoin the group.
*As the convoys often have to travel through roundabouts equipped with traffic lights members can get lost easily and be tempted to run the red light to stay with the convoy.
As well as a convoy leader there should be others placed at regular intervals in the convoy to make sure people are going the right way if this happens. A convoy made from mini convoys if you like.
The people in these positions should be sure to stop on amber lights rather than go through and carefully consider how long the light has been on green so as not to lose the members they are taking care of. *
Where applicable, advance plans should be made for stopping at service stations for fuel, rest and refreshments. Everyone in the convoy must know where and at which point in the journey they will be stopping.
When attending a show or similar event, there maybe more than one entrance. A meeting point should be picked prior to travelling, so that other convoys can meet up prior to entering the event (if desired).
Courtesy:
When travelling in convoy your actions on the road reflect directly upon the club!!!, with this in mind we respectfully ask that all members of RC and other clubs act in a courteous and polite manor when attending cruises.
Ice:
Please keep volume levels to a reasonable level when travelling in built up area’s or at times when residents are likely to be sleeping.
Noise:
Many of our members will have after market induction kits and exhaust systems fitted to their vehicles which can make the vehicle much louder under engine load. With this in mind, we ask our members to keep engine speeds down when travelling in built up areas.
Over view:
Reading the above, SC would like to point out that driving in convoy can be good fun and that the above rules are there for the protection of our members and to aid you in getting you to the show/event quickly and safely.
We will endeavour, under normal conditions, to have a minimum of a lead car and a follow car in use during convoys. These vehicles will BOTH know the eventual location and a rough idea of the planned route, however rest assured, if you are not in communication, and you're lost at a red light, the leader WILL pull over when possible.
SC accept that a little posing is done sometimes, however respect for the law should also be shown - don't go out of your way to irritate police, they have enough to do as it is - basic common sense will improve our relationship with them no end.
SC does not and has not EVER condoned reckless driving or driving that could possibly be deemed as driving outside of the boundaries of the relecant local laws. Please ensure you pay notice to signs and remain vigilent to speed limits, particularly built up areas.
Remember, if you go fast in town, no-one has the opportunity to check out your car do they?!
Thu 3 Jan - 13:56 by Adam_4plates
