Do they know something I don't?
Discussion
Happily cruising North yesterday on M1 around dusk and met the roadworks (although no-one was working there of course) at Leicester with the SPECS and the "average speed check" signs. Slowed to 40 for the duration, as did a couple of other vehicles but the vast majority slowed for the cameras then zoomed of into the sunset. Are most people unaware what SPECS do, or do they know something I don't?! Don't they work in low light or have the police just collected thousands of pounds of fines? Just wondering.:confused:
It's not just about working. It's about the risk of hitting unlit equipment, large holes which are unmarked within the works, the risk of cones scattered across the carriageway causing others to be at risk by not taking the correct safe access through the works. Its about narrowed lanes and the safe passage of vehicles passing each other through that restricted area.
Don't just think about the work force. Think about everything that involves building works and the dangers they can put on fast moving traffic if an emergency situation is encountered.
Restricted areas on fast roads are usually fairly short length and even if it is 6 or 7 miles, what is that in the big picture of a long journey and having to reduce 20mph off your maximum permitted speed over that short distance?
Those drivers who are unaware of what 'specs' is and how it works are sadly unfortunate if they ignore the restrictions covered by such equipment. It asks the question about what else they lack in their driving knowledge and skill?
>> Edited by gone on Monday 1st August 10:50
Don't just think about the work force. Think about everything that involves building works and the dangers they can put on fast moving traffic if an emergency situation is encountered.
Restricted areas on fast roads are usually fairly short length and even if it is 6 or 7 miles, what is that in the big picture of a long journey and having to reduce 20mph off your maximum permitted speed over that short distance?
Those drivers who are unaware of what 'specs' is and how it works are sadly unfortunate if they ignore the restrictions covered by such equipment. It asks the question about what else they lack in their driving knowledge and skill?
>> Edited by gone on Monday 1st August 10:50
Point taken, gone, but for large parts of this section an empty, normal lane is coned off for no apparent reason, with a 40 limit. I always obey the limits because you don't know what's around the corner, but it's quite frustrating. Especially when there are others burning past in the two remaining lanes, forcing those sticking to the limit onto the hard shoulder lane. rant rant etc.
Drove up that way on Saturday - there are clear signs stating that the roadworks are covered by average speed cameras. So anyone speeding up is frankly stupid!!
Did anyone else the crash on the M1 Southbound around the Coalville exit at around 11.30am (jc22?)? Car pointing the wrong way, lodged in bushes/trees, 20 foot up the embankment
No idea of the make/model!
Did anyone else the crash on the M1 Southbound around the Coalville exit at around 11.30am (jc22?)? Car pointing the wrong way, lodged in bushes/trees, 20 foot up the embankment
No idea of the make/model!Flat in Fifth said:
Point taken, gone, but for large parts of this section an empty, normal lane is coned off for no apparent reason, with a 40 limit.
Think about following; dark night; unlit road; sign blown into carriageway ending up edge on to oncoming traffic.
It HAS happened.
Not to Dr T though
!It is OK for you, Gone, (I am assuming a BiB from earlier posts) to be flippant about this, but I assure you that I, as a surgeon, commonly deal with the results of motor accidents, freak and otherwise. Driving is about managing risk. The risk of a sign blowing over in calm conditions (as yesterday) is low. The risk of serious injury caused by the fool in the police traffic car speeding past me and through a red light in the outside lane of the Stanningley bypass yesterday is high. And no, his blues and twos were not on.
Risking dragging the thread back on topic...
Driving through the M4 Bath roadworks last night with the cruise control set to the 40mph limit, the fixed GATSO on the Westbound carriageway was flashing away like mad at all the traffic passing at what must have been only just over 40 (if my speedo is anywhere near correct!)
Yet loads of people were merrily shooting past oblivious. In fact, as I was thumbing the cruise down another 1mph just to be on the safe side, I inadvertently hit the horn (easy to do, given the position of the cruise controls) which sent several fellow motorists diving for the brakes. Very weird to see, but I'm betting it saved one or two of them from receiving a FPN.
Driving through the M4 Bath roadworks last night with the cruise control set to the 40mph limit, the fixed GATSO on the Westbound carriageway was flashing away like mad at all the traffic passing at what must have been only just over 40 (if my speedo is anywhere near correct!)
Yet loads of people were merrily shooting past oblivious. In fact, as I was thumbing the cruise down another 1mph just to be on the safe side, I inadvertently hit the horn (easy to do, given the position of the cruise controls) which sent several fellow motorists diving for the brakes. Very weird to see, but I'm betting it saved one or two of them from receiving a FPN.
Dr T said:
It is OK for you, Gone, (I am assuming a BiB from earlier posts) to be flippant about this, but I assure you that I, as a surgeon, commonly deal with the results of motor accidents, freak and otherwise. Driving is about managing risk. The risk of a sign blowing over in calm conditions (as yesterday) is low. The risk of serious injury caused by the fool in the police traffic car speeding past me and through a red light in the outside lane of the Stanningley bypass yesterday is high. And no, his blues and twos were not on.
You as a surgeon are skilled at carving your way through a human body to make things better.
A police Officer trained to a high degree of skill in carving his/her way through dense/difficult traffic conditions would no more criticise you for something you might do with a risk in your line of work than you should about his/hers.
Just because you can drive gives you the right to an informed opinion about how skilled people who do it for a living drive and the risks they take in trying to help others which you know nothing about or the reasons for their actions?
I can lance a boil! I would never criticise a surgeon for the risk taking I did not understand when the surgeon has a scalpel in his hand
Still Surgeons are argueably much more knowledgable on everything else over that of a lowly public servant
Most drivers understand what a "speed camera" is, and unfortunately for them they assume all Scams work in the same way.
The fact that SPECS is being gradually allowed to spread with little or no public information about it, save for those of us with Net access and memberships of sites such as PH is unacceptable.
In Germany, on a number of occasions i have seen the Polezei driving in the construction areas at the posted temporary limit rather than relying on Cameras etc.
Not only does this keep the traffic at the required speed, it also keeps it flowing nicely through the cones.
Sadly our lot are nowhere near as enlightened it would seem.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Monday 1st August 23:46
The fact that SPECS is being gradually allowed to spread with little or no public information about it, save for those of us with Net access and memberships of sites such as PH is unacceptable.
In Germany, on a number of occasions i have seen the Polezei driving in the construction areas at the posted temporary limit rather than relying on Cameras etc.
Not only does this keep the traffic at the required speed, it also keeps it flowing nicely through the cones.
Sadly our lot are nowhere near as enlightened it would seem.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Monday 1st August 23:46
gone said:
Fair point, Gone. I have no idea what he was up to, so shouldn't really comment. As for public servant - we are one and the same!
At least you have the option of a little private sideline? Thanks for understanding my points. Many do not and take them as a personal insult
I believe your points are more than worthy and admire how you 'tough it out' on some of these debates.
Really wish people would value the opportunity of being able to access and get first hand knowledge/advice from you BiB guys on this forum
hustlebabe said:
Dr T said:
Fair point, Gone. I have no idea what he was up to, so shouldn't really comment. As for public servant - we are one and the same!
At least you have the option of a little private sideline? Thanks for understanding my points. Many do not and take them as a personal insult
I believe your points are more than worthy and admire how you 'tough it out' on some of these debates.
Really wish people would value the opportunity of being able to access and get first hand knowledge/advice from you BiB guys on this forum
I agree entirely - we don't necessarily agree with your (gone's or other BiB's) points all the time, but they are always welcome!
Julian
gone said:
At least you have the option of a little private sideline? Thanks for understanding my points. Many do not and take them as a personal insult
Gone,
I believe that if you sit in the back of a van and Stimulate some Emitted Radiation, the resulting Light Amplification can have a beneficial effect on your overtime payments.
Streetcop might be able to show you how......
Paul
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