Oxfordshire blanket 50mph limits
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/3921933.stm
Looks like Oxon's likely to get more 60mph roads lowered to 50mph limits (plus traffic calming) anyway, despite the protests we made last time - and despite the fact that accidents ROSE on the last lot of roads they lowered.
MMC
Looks like Oxon's likely to get more 60mph roads lowered to 50mph limits (plus traffic calming) anyway, despite the protests we made last time - and despite the fact that accidents ROSE on the last lot of roads they lowered.
MMC
Councillor David Robertson, executive member for transport, said: "It is proven that lower speed limits in appropriate locations reduce accidents.
"In rural areas where there are no speed limits there can quite often be a temptation to motor along without a care in the world.
So where are these roads with no speed limits I want to try them.
Such a prat if he can't get simple facts straight how can we expect him to understand complex problems like accident causation.
"In rural areas where there are no speed limits there can quite often be a temptation to motor along without a care in the world.
So where are these roads with no speed limits I want to try them.
Such a prat if he can't get simple facts straight how can we expect him to understand complex problems like accident causation.
DustyC said:
I recently drove along a road that has changed from a NSL to a 50mph zone. There are also SPECS cameras to enforce the law.
I didnt know that SPECS actually existed. Are there many around and where are they?
Hi Adam,
Yep...SPECS exist and are very much in use...
One famous case is up in South Yorkshire on the 'Stocksbridge by-pass'. An road which has claimed many deaths over recent years has seen the introduction of the SPECS system which measures vehicles from two points and calculates the average speed of the vehicle. This prevents the slamming on for a Gatso, then mega speed before slamming on for the next Gatso.
The SPECS system cameras are suspeded over the lane by either a post (looks like a gallows) or attached to a bridge.
Street
DustyC said:
Are their any warning of specs sights or is the only answer to buy a GPS detection device?
Specs Sites?
There will be the usual 'Speed Camera' warning signs, but there doesn't need to be any signs explaining what SPECS does or how it operates.
Having said that, on the 50mph road that I described, there is a sign saying that the cameras calculate 'average speeds between two points'. However, this transparancy isn't always present at such 'sites'.
Street
medicineman said:
Unfortunately the SPECS system on the Stocksbridge bypass didn't stop a fatal motorbike accident last year.
It didn't pull a rabbit out of a hat either! It's not magic, but the road is much safer nowadays...
Knobs still find the solid white lines entertaining though...
Street
joospeed said:
indeed .. gatsos, truvelos, specs .. all these don't actually *stop* speeding or bad driving, or bad road conditions, or poor road layout .. all they do is provide evidence of speed in excess of the posted limit.
at accident prevention they are pretty uselss ..
I know where you're coming from....but dependant on location etc, they do actually prevent accidents in certain circumstances. The Stocksbridge by-pass what we were discussing earlier for example. Excessive speeds has been the cause of many accidents on that road.....The advent of the specs system has mean drivers not wishing to go above 60mph and therefore less likely to cross over solid white lines to overtake another vehicle that happens to be doing 60mph.
Now I'm like the rest of you..I want more Trafpol and less cameras, but in certain places the cameras work and the SPECS system in particular can be of great benefit if located properly.
Street
Streetcop said:
indeed .. gatsos, truvelos, specs .. all these don't actually *stop* speeding or bad driving, or bad road conditions, or poor road layout .. all they do is provide evidence of speed in excess of the posted limit.
at accident prevention they are pretty uselss ..
I know where you're coming from....but dependant on location etc, they do actually prevent accidents in certain circumstances. The Stocksbridge by-pass what we were discussing earlier for example. Excessive speeds has been the cause of many accidents on that road.....The advent of the specs system has mean drivers not wishing to go above 60mph and therefore less likely to cross over solid white lines to overtake another vehicle that happens to be doing 60mph.
Now I'm like the rest of you..I want more Trafpol and less cameras, but in certain places the cameras work and the SPECS system in particular can be of great benefit if located properly.
Street
Would you happen to have access to ten years' accident data so we can have a look at any REAL changes?
(also the date of installation of specs?)
Streetcop said:
indeed .. gatsos, truvelos, specs .. all these don't actually *stop* speeding or bad driving, or bad road conditions, or poor road layout .. all they do is provide evidence of speed in excess of the posted limit.
at accident prevention they are pretty uselss ..
I know where you're coming from....but dependant on location etc, they do actually prevent accidents in certain circumstances. The Stocksbridge by-pass what we were discussing earlier for example. Excessive speeds has been the cause of many accidents on that road.....The advent of the specs system has mean drivers not wishing to go above 60mph and therefore less likely to cross over solid white lines to overtake another vehicle that happens to be doing 60mph.
Now I'm like the rest of you..I want more Trafpol and less cameras, but in certain places the cameras work and the SPECS system in particular can be of great benefit if located properly.
Street
I know the road well, blinking frustrating stretch it is too .. can well imagine incidents on that stretch have reduced .. what are the figures for the few miles either side of it tho? .. bet they've gone up ...
Streetcop said:
Streetcop said:
I recently drove along a road that has changed from a NSL to a 50mph zone. There are also SPECS cameras to enforce the law.
I didnt know that SPECS actually existed. Are there many around and where are they?
Hi Adam,
Yep...SPECS exist and are very much in use...
One famous case is up in South Yorkshire on the 'Stocksbridge by-pass'. An road which has claimed many deaths over recent years has seen the introduction of the SPECS system which measures vehicles from two points and calculates the average speed of the vehicle. This prevents the slamming on for a Gatso, then mega speed before slamming on for the next Gatso.
The SPECS system cameras are suspeded over the lane by either a post (looks like a gallows) or attached to a bridge.
Street
I lived in Stocksbridge until 1955, and still visit the area a few times a year to maintain family graves in the churchyard at Bolsterstone. The Stocksbridge by-pass was only built long after I left the area and I have not driven along the road very much, so I have very little practical experience of it, but I seem to recall it being described as one of the most dangerous roads in the UK.
To be honest I don't agree with this tendency to describe certain roads as being dangerous, unless there is something seriously misleading about the configuration etc. Roads are fixed entities and we can all see what they are like if we look properly. By all means blame drivers for not evaluating situations properly, as that is where the real problem lies.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
voyds9 said:
Councillor David Robertson, executive member for transport, said: "It is proven that lower speed limits in appropriate locations reduce accidents.
"In rural areas where there are no speed limits there can quite often be a temptation to motor along without a care in the world.
So where are these roads with no speed limits I want to try them.
Such a prat if he can't get simple facts straight how can we expect him to understand complex problems like accident causation.
Exactly. It's quite frightening just how much influence some of these halfwits have isn't it. People with that mentality are a great handicap in the quest for meaningful improvements in road safety.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Dear Streetcop I believe I posted the last time you brought up the Stocksbridge Bypass. My opinions haven't changed since last time. The road design is bad being a half-baked attempt at a dual carriageway. The SPECS don't help because the road lanes switch between sides and catch drivers out. I include the link which gives the history of the M67 that never was.
www.fact-index.com/m/m6/m67_motorway.html
www.fact-index.com/m/m6/m67_motorway.html
telecat said:
Dear Streetcop I believe I posted the last time you brought up the Stocksbridge Bypass. My opinions haven't changed since last time. The road design is bad being a half-baked attempt at a dual carriageway. The SPECS don't help because the road lanes switch between sides and catch drivers out. I include the link which gives the history of the M67 that never was.
www.fact-index.com/m/m6/m67_motorway.html
I know my dear telecat, but since the SPECS have been put in, the accidents have greatly reduced...coincidence?
Street
telecat said:
Halo Effect? They stopped then restarted. No substitute for proper road engineering.
What road engineering do you need? The road has lighting, is in good condition, has solid white lines in areas where overtaking would be dangerour...
Reason for accidents is that the road is designed for the maximum speed to be 60mph. When people exceed that, ON THAT road, accidents occur.
Street
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