Pushed a Volvo estate off the M25 between J10 and 11on the way to work.
A very helpful hgv driver blocked lanes 1 and 2 for me once he saw what I was trying to do.
Assuming this happened during the small hours from the time you posted, even with a hgv blocking lanes 1 and 2, it wasn't a particularly sensible thing to do without even the protection of the usual build up of traffic that forms an ideal road block during busier times.
Being killed doesn't warrant acts of questionable heroism - many families that have lost loved ones will vouch for that.
Motorways during quiet periods can be far more dangerous than at peak times....
Actually it was about 1245 on my way to work. And the whole thing took less than a minute. I only posted it because it was the most interesting thing that happened on my commute yesterday. But as you seem to want it justified, here goes...
I was using lane 1 to use J11 to keep moving because it was 4 lanes of stop start shit.
When it became clear that the reason for the traffic was said Volvo straddling lanes 1 and 2 forcing all but a handful of cars using J11 into lanes 3 and 4, I made a decision to act.
I stopped a ways up the hard shoulder, have a suitable Hi Viz winter coat from a previous job that I keep in the boot because you never know what you're going to run into driving around at all hours.
The hgv that stopped and repositioned for me was waiting to get from lane 2 into 3 and was switched on enough to use his initiative and he waited until we were safely on the hard shoulder before continuing.
The older woman driving the Volvo with, I presume her mother, followed instructions to the letter and without panic. The car moved easily enough and I did all the pushing with my legs sat against the tailgate.
The one oppstard in a camper who tried to drive round the back of the hgv on the hard shoulder got an earful of air horn and stopped as soon as he saw what was happening.
Once the car was on the hard shoulder, I checked that they had breakdown cover, strongly suggested they waited up the steps to the foot bridge they were next to and left, calling the police to update them as I went.
I didn't do it to be heroic or for any other benefit. The circumstances made it a calculated risk and it's not the first time I have done similar and I hope it won't be the last. Had it not been safe to stop, I wouldn't have and the number of times I haven't stopped far exceeds the number of times I have.
So if you were on the M25 heading clockwise from J10 at around 1 pm on Friday, you're welcome... If you weren't and your car broke down in that spot what would you want to happen? Similarly if you were stuck in the traffic, ask yourself what you could reasonably do in the circumstances.
IncidentallyI posted it a 9 pm where I am.
Author
Topic: So what have you done to your car today? (Read 4289083 times)