Is it sensible to try to overtake a Supertram?

dink · 30-11-2009, 18:15

Today i saw a moron decide to overtake the tram on West street whilst it was at the stop outside Cow.

Unfortunatley she didnt take notice that there was traffic coming the other way and nearly drove into a bus coming the other way the look of horror on the poor 42 drivers face when he realised she wasnt stopping and he had to slam the anchors on to avoid her

Does anyone know how the law stands for overtaking supertrams? are you allowed to or is it a bylaw that you cant?

wobblywill · 30-11-2009, 18:17

I would imagine you can IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO!

peak4 · 30-11-2009, 18:23

Hi
See the highway code RULE-167 last line.

167

DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example

when a tram is standing at a kerbside tram stop and there is no clearly marked passing lane for other traffic

Paddy · 30-11-2009, 19:39

If you can see that the road ahead is clear then I should think there is no problem with overtaking the tram. However I would think that West street would be too busy with car's coming the other way to do an overtake. Also have you noticed that most of the other roads that the supertram runs on have been designed so that you can't overtake the tram whilst it is waiting at the stop because of the central reservations.

Sheff2006 · 30-11-2009, 19:48

I dont understand why anyone would even attempt to overtake a tram.

Tyranna · 30-11-2009, 19:49

As a cyclist, the worst thing about Supertrams is when you are cycling along a road like West Street and a tram is following behind; my advice about overtaking them on a bike at stops is: DON'T; if one wants to pass, you can pull into one of those parking paybys/sideroad entrances/cycle tracks if applicable to let it pass...

swissheavy · 30-11-2009, 20:01

If we think about it, it's pretty much never safe to overtake a tram. A tram is a huge object and hides too much. There might be people/cyclists about to pull out of the stopped train to cross the road. There might be a hidden junction with cars about to pull out. The tram may pull off without warning.

It's not worth the hassle.

Dan_Ashcroft · 30-11-2009, 20:04

It's quite common on parts of Infirmary/Middlewood Road where because its straight you can see quite a distance and see that it is safe.

Never personally tried it with a tram but you have to do it all the time with buses where there's no pull in for them - I guess it's the length of the trams that's the different.

bus man · 30-11-2009, 20:22

Think the road markings are double white lines arnt they ?

matssundin13 · 01-12-2009, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by bus man

Think the road markings are double white lines arnt they ?

Nope

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...02406&t=h&z=19

Neutral body · 01-12-2009, 01:15

Better still just avoid driving on roads where trams run. It is always quicker to go the long way round than get stuck behind one of these lumbering empty vessels with their traffic priorities that try to make them faster to the detriment of all other road users.

wotsit · 01-12-2009, 05:12

it was a woman so it isnt a surprise

DeathAxe · 01-12-2009, 08:59

Was she texting on her mobile at the same time aswell? :-P

patrick38 · 01-12-2009, 09:02

well if she was driving dangerously im sure the cctv will have clocked her

Lancs_Lad · 01-12-2009, 16:10

From the Supertram safety listing on their website (http://www.supertram.net/safety.html)

Motorists
A tram is 35 metres in length which means extra care needs to be taken in the unlikely event of having to overtake one.
Pay particular attention to the swing of the rear of the tram when it negotiates bends. Allow a sufficient distance to the track when waiting at road junctions and leave adequate clearance when in an adjacent traffic lane.
The tram is unable to steer around obstructions. When using parking bays please ensure that your vehicle is well out of the trams “swept path". If you are parking on street please make sure that your vehicle does not obstruct the path of the tram, at least 2 metres is needed to allow the tram to pass at normal operational speed.
Driving in wet or icy weather requires extra caution around the tram tracks, whenever possible avoid driving directly on the rails.
Observe the road signs that warn of hazards along the tram route.
Please be considerate to cyclists who may have to move in to the centre of the road to avoid obstructions.

dink · 01-12-2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick38

well if she was driving dangerously im sure the cctv will have clocked her

Your assuming that someone will have seen it and reported her, but if it aint an offense and no accident happened nothing will have happened about it.

HeadingNorth · 01-12-2009, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dink

Your assuming that someone will have seen it and reported her, but if it aint an offense and no accident happened nothing will have happened about it.

I'm sure I've read in some of the bumf relating to it, that overtaking the Supertram is automatically an offence, anywhere and anytime. However, I can't remember where.

dink · 01-12-2009, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadingNorth

I'm sure I've read in some of the bumf relating to it, that overtaking the Supertram is automatically an offence, anywhere and anytime. However, I can't remember where.

be nice to know if it is or not, alot of mixed opinions on it, ive seen it alot of times on west street, especially taxi's.

peak4 · 01-12-2009, 17:30

Hi, have a look at the link in post 3. Highway code I know, not quoting chapter and verse on the law, but should be enough to satisfy a common sense approach.

Total Chaos · 01-12-2009, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadingNorth

I'm sure I've read in some of the bumf relating to it, that overtaking the Supertram is automatically an offence, anywhere and anytime. However, I can't remember where.

I heard the same when the tram first started running,thats why ive never even thought of overtaking one.