I must admit, I thought it was big of Sean not to go straight on the defensive about this! I think he handled this the best way possible under the circumstances.
That said, I'm not a big fan of the hug amount of fuss this has generated, as I think it's very easy to watch the video and jump to a lot of conclusions. Not all of these conclusions will accurately reflect what actually went on.
I think the key thing for me was the fact that the TIV was in radio contact with a lead vehicle further down the road. In Australia, I often used to travel in small convoys of multiple vehicles, in contact via UHF CB radio. A lead vehicle, that could be quite some distance ahead can provide positive feedback on overtaking opportunities. Providing the highway has no side-roads, and the lead vehicle doesn't pass any vehicles pulled over on the verge that could potentially re-enter the roadway between the lead vehicle and remainder of the convoy, this approach can provide very safe overtaking opportunities. I think the fact that (from what I have read and seen) Sean didn't a) cause an accident and b) didn't cause anybody to take evasive action to avoid an accident is a key point that has been often overlooked.
I'm not trying to justify what Sean did, I'm just trying to add some balance to the argument that whilst the video appears hideously irresponsible, it might not be as bad as it might first seem from the video alone. Trial by media and public perception is a raw deal, regardless, because the premise is always guilty until proven innocent and limited information and emotive narrative does wonders to get people fired up.
The only reason why this has drawn a lot of attention is because it was captured and publicised, and Sean's team is prolific. Just 3 weeks ago, my family and I were nearly written off because an idiot decided he could overtake two slow-moving tractors on a bend, on a country road in Fife. Had I not been able to take advantage of a side-road entrance as an emergency escape route, it would have been lights out for us all for sure. The road was such that, there was nowhere to go other than into the oncoming vehicles, or (as I did) hit the skids and get as much of my vehicle off the road and into a life-saving farm entrance as I could and hope to hell the guy cleared my car (which he did).
I would dearly have loved if somebody had caught this guy on camera.. he deserves to have his licence shredded! Sean on the other hand had more information about the traffic involved in his setup than the guy I had to contend with. Yes Sean did make an illegal manoeuvre.. many folk in the UK do that every time they get in their car and speed (I would need 10 hands to count the number that overtake me every time I drive to work, doing the motorway speed limit). However his manoeuvre was informed, and not blind luck.
Just my two pence worth + VAT.
Subject: Storm chasing safety 
Fri May 21, 2010 12:27 pm
