Why no PCN/Fines for driving in closed lanes on motorway?
Discussion
I do 100miles a day commuting on M25, and the red-cross identifying closed lanes is a frequent occurrence. However, such signs are habitually ignored. I think people believe that the lane is closed so that you dont smash into a stationary car or similar, and hence think that if they cant see any blockage then its fine to use that lane. However, in my view the primary purpose is to serve as a temporary hard-shoulder for emergency vehicles to get to the scene of an accident.
I often see the case where people ignore the closed lane signs and then when the traffic becomes slow/stationary, they cant get out of the way of police/ambulances. It happened again this morning, when the police car had to stop due to these idiots.
Imagine if someone died in an accident waiting for an ambulance which was blocked by such morons.
At present, there is nothing to put people off doing it, as there is no action taken against them. However given that the gantries have speed cameras, why cant they be used to fine drivers who use the lanes? They could for example set the cameras for a red-cross lane to 1mph say. I'd say that it would stamp out such behaviour rather quickly.
I often see the case where people ignore the closed lane signs and then when the traffic becomes slow/stationary, they cant get out of the way of police/ambulances. It happened again this morning, when the police car had to stop due to these idiots.
Imagine if someone died in an accident waiting for an ambulance which was blocked by such morons.
At present, there is nothing to put people off doing it, as there is no action taken against them. However given that the gantries have speed cameras, why cant they be used to fine drivers who use the lanes? They could for example set the cameras for a red-cross lane to 1mph say. I'd say that it would stamp out such behaviour rather quickly.
kryten22uk said:
At present, there is nothing to put people off doing it, as there is no action taken against them. However given that the gantries have speed cameras, why cant they be used to fine drivers who use the lanes? They could for example set the cameras for a red-cross lane to 1mph say. I'd say that it would stamp out such behaviour rather quickly.
Last April...https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fines-warning-t...
TooMany2cvs said:
Doesn't seem to be any serious mechanism to enforce fines though. The odd driver getting prosecuted isnt going to stem general public ignorance.skodaphile said:
Too often the overhead signs are not updated in a timely fashion, perhaps that is why some choose to ignore them.
Monday night three of four lanes closed and a 40 limit. About half of us in the still open outside lane at 40 while everyone else went past on the inside at 70. Guess what, no obstruction. See also the single gantry where the speed drops to 50 for no reason.I'm sure these warnings are far more widely ignored than they ever used to be and pretty sure false warnings are the reason why.
What you need to remember is that there is an elite group of people out there known as "the entitled".
These are the ones who can drive at whatever speed they like, drive as close to the car in front as they like. Disabled parking is actually "disabled plus us". When something is stopping traffic in all lanes on a motorway, you can tell them - they are allowed to use the hard shoulder. When parking, they park where they like as the hazzard lights are a clear indication of "the entitled".
They are also far more aware of the situation up ahead on a motorway and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
These are the ones who can drive at whatever speed they like, drive as close to the car in front as they like. Disabled parking is actually "disabled plus us". When something is stopping traffic in all lanes on a motorway, you can tell them - they are allowed to use the hard shoulder. When parking, they park where they like as the hazzard lights are a clear indication of "the entitled".
They are also far more aware of the situation up ahead on a motorway and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
Stoofa said:
What you need to remember is that there is an elite group of people out there ..
and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
seems they are right though. If whoever is in charge of running motorway networks continues to do a useless job (by closing lanes when evidently there is no reason to), it's only logical that more motorists will ignore it.and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
Previous thread.
Opposite end of the scale: wasn't there a case where a police car was on the hard shoulder with blues on, lane 1 open, lane 2 closed by red X. A motorist pulled across to give some clearance as he passed the police car, which then chased him down and he was prosecuted. On dashcam IIRC.
Opposite end of the scale: wasn't there a case where a police car was on the hard shoulder with blues on, lane 1 open, lane 2 closed by red X. A motorist pulled across to give some clearance as he passed the police car, which then chased him down and he was prosecuted. On dashcam IIRC.
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
Too often the overhead signs are not updated in a timely fashion, perhaps that is why some choose to ignore them.
A Red Cross means the same as a red traffic light. Do you frequently jump them too if they've been red for too long for your taste?
kryten22uk said:
At present, there is nothing to put people off doing it, as there is no action taken against them. However given that the gantries have speed cameras, why cant they be used to fine drivers who use the lanes? They could for example set the cameras for a red-cross lane to 1mph say. I'd say that it would stamp out such behaviour rather quickly.
I think I've posted it before but read the PDF article in this linkhttp://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/publications/...
Technology to enforce seems to be under consideration.
skodaphile said:
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
Too often the overhead signs are not updated in a timely fashion, perhaps that is why some choose to ignore them.
A Red Cross means the same as a red traffic light. Do you frequently jump them too if they've been red for too long for your taste?You didn't answer the question.
LordLoveLength said:
Surrey at least may disagree with you
https://mobile.twitter.com/SurreyRoadCops/status/5...
About 10min worth then...https://mobile.twitter.com/SurreyRoadCops/status/5...
I disagree with the automatic setting of speed limits mostly because they are crap but if a lane is closed then I have no issues with there being a camera and an automatic 3 point fine
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
Too often the overhead signs are not updated in a timely fashion, perhaps that is why some choose to ignore them.
A Red Cross means the same as a red traffic light. Do you frequently jump them too if they've been red for too long for your taste?You didn't answer the question.
) No I don't ignore red crosses or red traffic lights. Happy now?
Stoofa said:
What you need to remember is that there is an elite group of people out there known as "the entitled".
These are the ones who can drive at whatever speed they like, drive as close to the car in front as they like. Disabled parking is actually "disabled plus us". When something is stopping traffic in all lanes on a motorway, you can tell them - they are allowed to use the hard shoulder. When parking, they park where they like as the hazzard lights are a clear indication of "the entitled".
They are also far more aware of the situation up ahead on a motorway and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
It's in the brochure pack of all cars over 40k , comes in a gold envelope with the Range Rover and SportThese are the ones who can drive at whatever speed they like, drive as close to the car in front as they like. Disabled parking is actually "disabled plus us". When something is stopping traffic in all lanes on a motorway, you can tell them - they are allowed to use the hard shoulder. When parking, they park where they like as the hazzard lights are a clear indication of "the entitled".
They are also far more aware of the situation up ahead on a motorway and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
Last winter I watched as one of the elite in his 100k Range Rover decided as it was a 4x4 it was invincible so the outside lane with 2 inches of snow on it was fine to drive on at 60mph with 22" rims and rubber bands for tyres while the rest of the plebs stayed in the inside lanes at 40mph
Got a bit of a twist on then came back in, straight on to Range Rover no doubt as they'd sold him an inferior car
skodaphile said:
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
LoonR1 said:
skodaphile said:
Too often the overhead signs are not updated in a timely fashion, perhaps that is why some choose to ignore them.
A Red Cross means the same as a red traffic light. Do you frequently jump them too if they've been red for too long for your taste?You didn't answer the question.
) No I don't ignore red crosses or red traffic lights. Happy now?
CoolHands said:
Stoofa said:
What you need to remember is that there is an elite group of people out there ..
and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
seems they are right though. If whoever is in charge of running motorway networks continues to do a useless job (by closing lanes when evidently there is no reason to), it's only logical that more motorists will ignore it.and if a gantry is displaying "closed" that simply means "closed to all you non-entitled losers".
In what way is it logical to break the law because occasionally you see nefarious variable road instructions?
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