Smart Motorway Confusion
Discussion
On the M1 Northbound tonight approaching j18, verge mounted signs indicated that lanes 1-3 were closed for roadworks and that all traffic should use lane 4 with a 40mph speed limit.
There was no activity and no lanes were (yet) coned off, but compliance was surprisingly good.
After J18, there were two verge mounted signs with no display. and the third showed a National speed limit sign ending the restriction.
This creates a dangerous situation, where traffic joining the motorway are not made aware of any restrictions whilst those already on the motorway are travelling as instructed at 40 in lane 4.
This situation should not occur, yet we see similar all too frequently.
Who is responsible for setting these signs and what systems are in place to ensure that the signage does not create a dangerous situation?
There was no activity and no lanes were (yet) coned off, but compliance was surprisingly good.
After J18, there were two verge mounted signs with no display. and the third showed a National speed limit sign ending the restriction.
This creates a dangerous situation, where traffic joining the motorway are not made aware of any restrictions whilst those already on the motorway are travelling as instructed at 40 in lane 4.
This situation should not occur, yet we see similar all too frequently.
Who is responsible for setting these signs and what systems are in place to ensure that the signage does not create a dangerous situation?
Different motorway, but I've seen similar situations a few times, with joining traffic not being shown the restrictions.
Weird situations are common on "smart" motorways!
The verge mounted "hockey stick" signs can be very poor especially with lots of lorries in L1 blocking the view, the gantry signs are better, but surprise surprise the newer iterations use more and more of the hockey stick signs instead.
Weird situations are common on "smart" motorways!
The verge mounted "hockey stick" signs can be very poor especially with lots of lorries in L1 blocking the view, the gantry signs are better, but surprise surprise the newer iterations use more and more of the hockey stick signs instead.
There is a slip road onto the M60 in the "Smart" motorway section that has had the variable speed limit sign demolished last year, and it has not been replaced.
Therefore you have the situation where the traffic on the motorway is subject to a 40MPH limit, but the slip road is a 70 limit. I have seen many cars shoot down the slip road at high speed, only to try and force their way onto the motorway at 70 until they reach the next speed limit sign and then slow down.
Therefore you have the situation where the traffic on the motorway is subject to a 40MPH limit, but the slip road is a 70 limit. I have seen many cars shoot down the slip road at high speed, only to try and force their way onto the motorway at 70 until they reach the next speed limit sign and then slow down.
RyanOPlasty said:
On the M1 Northbound tonight approaching j18, verge mounted signs indicated that lanes 1-3 were closed for roadworks and that all traffic should use lane 4 with a 40mph speed limit.
There was no activity and no lanes were (yet) coned off, but compliance was surprisingly good.
After J18, there were two verge mounted signs with no display. and the third showed a National speed limit sign ending the restriction.
This creates a dangerous situation, where traffic joining the motorway are not made aware of any restrictions whilst those already on the motorway are travelling as instructed at 40 in lane 4.
This situation should not occur, yet we see similar all too frequently.
Have encountered a very similar scenario on the M6 twice, lane 4 only, 40 mph limit, no roadworks, it is not pleasant at all. HE said they had set the signs in preparation for roadworks, despite there being no sign of them. It was the lack of any end indication that was most problematic. They said "That can't happen". There was no activity and no lanes were (yet) coned off, but compliance was surprisingly good.
After J18, there were two verge mounted signs with no display. and the third showed a National speed limit sign ending the restriction.
This creates a dangerous situation, where traffic joining the motorway are not made aware of any restrictions whilst those already on the motorway are travelling as instructed at 40 in lane 4.
This situation should not occur, yet we see similar all too frequently.
You were lucky it was only joining traffic that was exceeding 40, I had artics passing to the left at 56 mph under the red X's and beyond.AndyNetwork said:
There is a slip road onto the M60 in the "Smart" motorway section that has had the variable speed limit sign demolished last year, and it has not been replaced.
Therefore you have the situation where the traffic on the motorway is subject to a 40MPH limit, but the slip road is a 70 limit. I have seen many cars shoot down the slip road at high speed, only to try and force their way onto the motorway at 70 until they reach the next speed limit sign and then slow down.
Those are the rules. You can drive at the speed limit. It is not our place to question why they are set to the values that they are.Therefore you have the situation where the traffic on the motorway is subject to a 40MPH limit, but the slip road is a 70 limit. I have seen many cars shoot down the slip road at high speed, only to try and force their way onto the motorway at 70 until they reach the next speed limit sign and then slow down.
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