Matrix Signs again..M20.
Discussion
Had to do a quick dash up and down the M20 on Wednesday. Plenty of matrix signs have sprung up recently - usually you will get them illuminated with messages like "think bike" or "take extra care when towing" or perhaps "stop picking your nose".
So, just short of the Leeds castle turn-off the sky suddenly turned black, daylight disappeared and the deluge began. Visibility near-zero, standing water on all lanes. I was aquaplaning at seriously low speeds, wipers on full speed were not coping and plenty of drivers were so spooked that they had stopped on the hard shoulder. After a few miles it cleared and I was back in a normal fine April day. Exactly the same on the return journey half an hour later, this malignant chunk of weather seemed to be just sitting there South of Maidstone.
OK, so its not unusual particularly on this section of motorway - I've seen the road surface turn white with hail here before now - but one notable feature - not one bloody Matrix sign or speed limit sign illuminated . So Mr CCTV Matrix watcher - wake up and watch the weather and the traffic...or are you too busy deciding what the next inane message will be ?
So, just short of the Leeds castle turn-off the sky suddenly turned black, daylight disappeared and the deluge began. Visibility near-zero, standing water on all lanes. I was aquaplaning at seriously low speeds, wipers on full speed were not coping and plenty of drivers were so spooked that they had stopped on the hard shoulder. After a few miles it cleared and I was back in a normal fine April day. Exactly the same on the return journey half an hour later, this malignant chunk of weather seemed to be just sitting there South of Maidstone.
OK, so its not unusual particularly on this section of motorway - I've seen the road surface turn white with hail here before now - but one notable feature - not one bloody Matrix sign or speed limit sign illuminated . So Mr CCTV Matrix watcher - wake up and watch the weather and the traffic...or are you too busy deciding what the next inane message will be ?
paranoid airbag said:
surveyor said:
Why do you need a sign stating the bleeding obvious?
Advance warning of such weather would be extremely useful, and doesn't sound like it was there. Once you're in the storm, that sounds fair.moffspeed said:
Had to do a quick dash up and down the M20 on Wednesday. Plenty of matrix signs have sprung up recently - usually you will get them illuminated with messages like "think bike" or "take extra care when towing" or perhaps "stop picking your nose".
So, just short of the Leeds castle turn-off the sky suddenly turned black, daylight disappeared and the deluge began. Visibility near-zero, standing water on all lanes. I was aquaplaning at seriously low speeds, wipers on full speed were not coping and plenty of drivers were so spooked that they had stopped on the hard shoulder. After a few miles it cleared and I was back in a normal fine April day. Exactly the same on the return journey half an hour later, this malignant chunk of weather seemed to be just sitting there South of Maidstone.
OK, so its not unusual particularly on this section of motorway - I've seen the road surface turn white with hail here before now - but one notable feature - not one bloody Matrix sign or speed limit sign illuminated . So Mr CCTV Matrix watcher - wake up and watch the weather and the traffic...or are you too busy deciding what the next inane message will be ?
And you'd be complaining that they weren't warning of fog when you can't see past the end of your bonnet too, right?So, just short of the Leeds castle turn-off the sky suddenly turned black, daylight disappeared and the deluge began. Visibility near-zero, standing water on all lanes. I was aquaplaning at seriously low speeds, wipers on full speed were not coping and plenty of drivers were so spooked that they had stopped on the hard shoulder. After a few miles it cleared and I was back in a normal fine April day. Exactly the same on the return journey half an hour later, this malignant chunk of weather seemed to be just sitting there South of Maidstone.
OK, so its not unusual particularly on this section of motorway - I've seen the road surface turn white with hail here before now - but one notable feature - not one bloody Matrix sign or speed limit sign illuminated . So Mr CCTV Matrix watcher - wake up and watch the weather and the traffic...or are you too busy deciding what the next inane message will be ?
surveyor said:
Why do you need a sign stating the bleeding obvious?
Because "Don't drink and Drive", "Take your litter home", "Tiredness kills, take a break" isn't obvious either?Mind you this is Joe Public we're informing, so I suppose we need to tell them to wipe front to back but not to tailgate whilst its raining. Obviously.
Crossflow Kid said:
Riley Blue said:
Jezzerh said:
Most of the time they may as well display 'HAVE A NICE DAY' for all the use they are.
Most of the time there's no hazard ahead to warn drivers about.All that jazz said:
And you'd be complaining that they weren't warning of fog when you can't see past the end of your bonnet too, right?
No - not really. I've been driving for long enough (40 years)in the dry/wet/dark/fog without an accident to identify hazards but this was a really unusually severe storm and the conditions were very marginal for safe driving at any speed. I don't need warnings about clouds/dark skies or rain but a heads-up re extreme conditions would be good.I guess that those of you who have left the smart-arse comments need reminding that it is your (tax) money that buys these things - so why not use them intelligently ?
moffspeed said:
No - not really. I've been driving for long enough (40 years)in the dry/wet/dark/fog without an accident to identify hazards but this was a really unusually severe storm and the conditions were very marginal for safe driving at any speed. I don't need warnings about clouds/dark skies or rain but a heads-up re extreme conditions would be good.
I guess that those of you who have left the smart-arse comments need reminding that it is your (tax) money that buys these things - so why not use them intelligently ?
Seeing as the majority of people on the roads don't pay attention or follow simple guidelines then using the signs for helpful messages would be pointless.I guess that those of you who have left the smart-arse comments need reminding that it is your (tax) money that buys these things - so why not use them intelligently ?
NH1 said:
I thought all they did was state the obvious. Surprised I never see "DARK" on them.
Might help those who can't find the light switch on their cars when it gets dark or rains.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff