Local Meet And Convoy Guidelines

[Gambit]

The S.O.C is not one of the largest but is a fast growing owners club in the UK and we enjoy both monthly meets and gatherings at various shows up and down the country. Many of us choose to travel to these events with our friends and fellow S.O.C members in convoy. A list of recommendations has been compiled to ensure the safety of our members whilst travelling to and from these events and to safe guard those around us. 

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 Scoob 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. 

 Do not operate any hand held communication devices when driving, these include cellular telephones and two-way radio's.  :D


Preparation: 
When setting out on a long convoy members should consider making relevant checks to their vehicle. Oil and 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 i.e  (Regional Coordinator) when possible.

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 act in a courteous and polite manor. 


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. 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.  

 Local Meet's:

Some local meets will have set rules already in place. If you are unsure I would check with your local Regional Coordinator. Or check here to see if there is any rules set in place when turning up to the meeting. We ask all S.O.C members to make sure they act with respect at the local meet up area's. i.e Not leaving rubbish, driving around like an idiot showing off, and being reckless. These thing's can only carry on with your cooperation. 

 

 

Over view: 
Reading the above, the S.O.C would like to point out that driving in convoy can be good fun and that the above is just a guideline for the protection of our members and to aid you in getting to show's/event's/Meet's quickly and safely.

 

Thank you.