Recent visit to South Wales.
Discussion
Apolgies for the long post.
I recently had reason to travel down the M5-M50 into South wales past Cardiff to a little place called Maesteg.
With so much written about Brainstorm and his no tolerance attitude to drivers I was seriously worried for my licence on this day, expecting to be met by scameras at every turn and BIB on every flyover. To be frank I dreaded this journey which shouldn't be so.
In actual fact the reality was of course nothing like my vision. I saw only a few patrol cars and not a single gatso or scamera van, maybe I was lucky.
But one thing struck me as a very sensible idea and it appeared to work very well (I can't believe this came from Wales either), but the use of the multitude of roadside matrix signs was very good. At every junction there would be three matrix signs one after another not to to close to be distracting. One would be warning to use mirrors, another warning to use indicators and another warning to limit lane changes.
My own perception was that this stretch of the M4 was very pleasant and traffic flowed very well and freely (it was between 2 and 3 in the afternoon but I don't know how busy the Cardiff stretch gets) What a great use of these signs, displaying usefull reminders of simple roadcraft is a damn sight more useful than the "speed kills" mantra and rhetoric that is normally shovelled down our throat from these roadside billboards. Lets see more of them, ... but of course we won't they cost money they don't make it, another opportunity lost.
I recently had reason to travel down the M5-M50 into South wales past Cardiff to a little place called Maesteg.
With so much written about Brainstorm and his no tolerance attitude to drivers I was seriously worried for my licence on this day, expecting to be met by scameras at every turn and BIB on every flyover. To be frank I dreaded this journey which shouldn't be so.
In actual fact the reality was of course nothing like my vision. I saw only a few patrol cars and not a single gatso or scamera van, maybe I was lucky.
But one thing struck me as a very sensible idea and it appeared to work very well (I can't believe this came from Wales either), but the use of the multitude of roadside matrix signs was very good. At every junction there would be three matrix signs one after another not to to close to be distracting. One would be warning to use mirrors, another warning to use indicators and another warning to limit lane changes.
My own perception was that this stretch of the M4 was very pleasant and traffic flowed very well and freely (it was between 2 and 3 in the afternoon but I don't know how busy the Cardiff stretch gets) What a great use of these signs, displaying usefull reminders of simple roadcraft is a damn sight more useful than the "speed kills" mantra and rhetoric that is normally shovelled down our throat from these roadside billboards. Lets see more of them, ... but of course we won't they cost money they don't make it, another opportunity lost.
Lucky not to see the scamera's. I think one of the routes to Measteg is a regular haunt for them as well.
As for the signs, I think there are so many of them just incase a sign is full of english there needs to be a Welsh one. Happens when telling you of roadworks off the motorway. At least that is what I have seen, don't know if thats the intention of so many signs. They have potential.
"get into the left lane after overtaking!" would help though.
As for the signs, I think there are so many of them just incase a sign is full of english there needs to be a Welsh one. Happens when telling you of roadworks off the motorway. At least that is what I have seen, don't know if thats the intention of so many signs. They have potential.
"get into the left lane after overtaking!" would help though.
I was going to put a post up about these signs; I thought at last some useful road safety advice instead of the "Speed Kills" bull. Other messages are do not drive aggressively; use your mirrors; do not drink and drive and a few others, also I have not seen “do not speed”! Mind you none of this makes any difference at all to the rush hour traffic.
Will say something about the talivans, they have been on the m4 in that area a lot less since the summer, especially during the commute times, but that’s just because its dark at these time I expect, but glad to see them gone anyway
So what brought you to sunny Measteg then? (just a few miles North of me and Jeff in Bridgend) I think that’s where Kylies Mum is from, not related are you?
Will say something about the talivans, they have been on the m4 in that area a lot less since the summer, especially during the commute times, but that’s just because its dark at these time I expect, but glad to see them gone anyway
So what brought you to sunny Measteg then? (just a few miles North of me and Jeff in Bridgend) I think that’s where Kylies Mum is from, not related are you?
Somebody mentioned these signs on Blatchat a couple of weeks ago but thought they were patronising claptrap
EG
"BE COURTEOUS TO OTHERS"
"DONT DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY"
"USE YOUR MIRRORS"
"AVOID SUDDEN LANE CHANGES"
Somebody else chipped in who lives in S. Wales saying he'd seen the following......
Pissing down with rain = USE YOUR WIPERS
Its really foggy = FOG - VISIBILITY REDUCED
Sat in a traffic jam = CONGESTION AHEAD
EG
"BE COURTEOUS TO OTHERS"
"DONT DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY"
"USE YOUR MIRRORS"
"AVOID SUDDEN LANE CHANGES"
Somebody else chipped in who lives in S. Wales saying he'd seen the following......
Pissing down with rain = USE YOUR WIPERS
Its really foggy = FOG - VISIBILITY REDUCED
Sat in a traffic jam = CONGESTION AHEAD
I see these daily and their use is refreshing.
Sadly however 'DON'T HOG OUTER LANE' would better read 'DON'T HOG MIDDLE LANE', and anybody that has the awareness or ability to drive AND read a sign is probably driving courteously anyway...preaching to the converted and all that...but yes, a step in the right direction.
Sadly however 'DON'T HOG OUTER LANE' would better read 'DON'T HOG MIDDLE LANE', and anybody that has the awareness or ability to drive AND read a sign is probably driving courteously anyway...preaching to the converted and all that...but yes, a step in the right direction.
gopher said:
I was going to put a post up about these signs; I thought at last some useful road safety advice instead of the "Speed Kills" bull. Other messages are do not drive aggressively; use your mirrors; do not drink and drive and a few others, also I have not seen “do not speed”! Mind you none of this makes any difference at all to the rush hour traffic.
Will say something about the talivans, they have been on the m4 in that area a lot less since the summer, especially during the commute times, but that’s just because its dark at these time I expect, but glad to see them gone anyway
So what brought you to sunny Measteg then? (just a few miles North of me and Jeff in Bridgend) I think that’s where Kylies Mum is from, not related are you?
The company I work for has a plant in Maesteg (the old standard products plant). Hopefull that they are going to take on some transfer work for us. Must say the trip down was through some very beautiful countryside which made a great difference to the normal fields and concrete jungles.
I realised to late that brainstorm wasn't in charge of southwales but the M50 does certainly skirt the borders. I think the Matrix signs are a good idea but there is certainly a point at which the message becomes rather condescending, but considering some of the numpties we have on the road I'm sure the messages don't get through to everybody.
pjs917 said:
M4 between Cardiff and Bridgend is well known for the Police, careful on this stretch. On the A470? plenty
of Talivans about.
At least 3-4 bridges are used. One particular bridge is a good hiddy hole for them. Its just before jcn 35 west bound at Pencoed. Catches them out both ways. You won't see it until its too late. Local's now brake to 60 odd before they round the bend before it......which is fun
). I have seen numerous cars pulled over by patrol cars thoughGassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff