Driving in modern traffic

[Robin Craig]

Paul, the situation you mention is very common and MTO inspectors are very hot on that one, some cops are also but it varies. Having worked in the agricultural industry it was a common problem when switching the prime mover for pieces of farm equipment AKA Implements of Husbandry. I agree with their enforcement and the arresting of drift in their usage. We moved spreaders between farms as they were owned by the Ag / Chem suppliers and drawn loaded by tractors but we shuttled them between jobs using pick ups. As a farm we were a commercial business and our pick ups were run under the CVOR program and fines are possible for both the drivers and the company. So displaying an SMV sign and traveling at more than 40 kph was a challenge. We used 2 inch wide rolls of masking tape to obscure the SMV sign that was bolted to the spreader. That was acceptable and a pragmatic solution. To all of you, the rules of the road are there for our joint safety. Our common sense should also aide us in making good decisions. Yes, this is a hobby horse for me,

[Barry Churcher]

I commute 200 km every day to work and back on the 401, the world’s busiest highway. (Wikepedia) I travel at 120 km and the speed limit is 100 km for ALL lanes. I travel in the right lane predominately as the speed in the center lane is 130kph and the hammer lane is 140. There are accidents galore and you are not safe. People drive so erratic everywhere now it is unbelievable. I make a few extra bucks when the combines go down my rural road and take up the whole driving surface. That’s when the citidiots try to sqeeeeze past and end up in the ditch. I get to tow them out with my tractor. I have been stopped twice by the police for having flashing yellow lights. Once with the tow truck with a car on the back but not at an accident and once with my M1010. I was a visual distraction apparently. I was told to shut those lights off. After all that I guess there is no easy answer. Are you willing to take a chance? Les Fisher drives his nice stock Dodge Command Car on the 401 and the toll 407 regularly and other than the odd middle finger has no problems.

[Marc Montgomery]

I drive the Iltis now primarily in the rural area. many of the tertiary roads are generally traffic free, although sometimes on Hwy 15..where speeds are generally around 90-100. To town is about 40km. However, for various reasons, I've only put a total of less than 300km year on the iltis for the past several years.



In terms of agri-vehicles, there are many on the secondary hwy as its a very agri region, and now these are mostly much much bigger than they were a few decades ago. Compare your average tractor now, to say a Ford 9n.


From what i've seen they are about 50% half off the road, and 50% of the time full on the road. People tend to not get too frustrated..perhaps because they are from the rural area and not so much city types?


I must say it is tremendously enjoyable on a nice day to dawdle along about 70-kmh on a quiet back road from town to town, or to hook up the trailer and collect a load of firewood about 40km round trip.
Haven't had the Iltis out on the 401 in many years, but even the big rigs do about 11- 115, and that's really the top I want to drive the Iltis.


In terms of a rant, the story of police pointing out potential infractions and hefty fines seems to be getting more common as I've heard other tales of people being pulled over for infractions that would be 100% "normal' just a few years ago. Either the police infraction quota has been increased, or more and more restrictive laws are being quietly passed creating just more bother.


Is it a case of being 'reasonably' safe and responsible or excessive restriction?

How many remember just a couple years ago Quebec wanted to ban all HMVs, then backed off but limited them to posted 70kmh roads, then thankfully to the efforts of a few Qc collectors, this was repealed...whew.