Why are road signs like 8 foot in the air?
Discussion
So my assumption is the reason the road signs in the UK are 8 feet or so in the air is so they can be seen over traffic from a distance back. The problem is the cars that drive up to them then can't see the signs because they're 4 feet over the top of the car. I know you just get used to it, mostly. But I've missed signs because of this and just today I was nearly run over as an old bloke had come down the wrong way of a 1 way road because as you turn into it the signs are right on the corner and 8 feet up in the air, I've seen a few cars do this recently.
So why don't we do as they do abroad? When I go to Spain for example they have the same signs high up, but then at car level there's a smaller repeater sign. They also do it with signals. As you approach traffic lights in Spain there's a large set for those further back and small repeater lamps at car/eye level.
It just bugs me a bit...
So why don't we do as they do abroad? When I go to Spain for example they have the same signs high up, but then at car level there's a smaller repeater sign. They also do it with signals. As you approach traffic lights in Spain there's a large set for those further back and small repeater lamps at car/eye level.
It just bugs me a bit...
We do tend to have text painted onto the road over here, similar in the US (well from what I saw in NY anyway) apart from give way lines there isn't that much painted info on the road on the continent. Sometimes it's hard to see and isn't reflective at all which is why I agree with you that there should be repeater signs, probably quicker and cheaper than painting 'no entry'.
Also it seems a bit mix and match over here, for example, at some major roundabouts you get 'which lane to get into' signs rather than text painted on the floor but at some others you don't and your looking 1 metre in front of your car to work out which lane to be in. Obviously, that example is in busy traffic where cars in front cover the markings...
Also it seems a bit mix and match over here, for example, at some major roundabouts you get 'which lane to get into' signs rather than text painted on the floor but at some others you don't and your looking 1 metre in front of your car to work out which lane to be in. Obviously, that example is in busy traffic where cars in front cover the markings...
In a normal car, for a sign 8 feet up to be out of sight, you've to be, what, 3 yards from the sign itself. I can't be bothered with the maths, but at 30mph, I reckon you've got about a billionth of a second to see the sign, register what it says and act accordingly.
As others have said, try looking at signs before you're right on top of them (or underneath them).
Simon.
As others have said, try looking at signs before you're right on top of them (or underneath them).
Simon.
richs2891 said:
Cost been the obvious reason for repeated signs ?
I would have thought it would be way cheaper and way less disruptive to screw some dinner plate size signs onto a pole. Think about it, with line painting you need to take into consideration: calling out labourers (at British labour rates), the use of the line painting truck and the closure the road. To put a sign up its: just one bloke, sign(s), and a screwdriver/drill.ferrariF50lover said:
In a normal car, for a sign 8 feet up to be out of sight, you've to be, what, 3 yards from the sign itself. I can't be bothered with the maths, but at 30mph, I reckon you've got about a billionth of a second to see the sign, register what it says and act accordingly.
As others have said, try looking at signs before you're right on top of them (or underneath them).
Simon.
I agree with you that you should be able to see signs driving down a NSL country lane or dual carriageway but I think the OP is on about signs when turning into streets. Sometimes you can see them in the entry of the junction but sometimes they are actually hidden. I don't think it would hurt to have repeater signs on those types of sign.As others have said, try looking at signs before you're right on top of them (or underneath them).
Simon.
Swanny87 said:
I agree with you that you should be able to see signs driving down a NSL country lane or dual carriageway but I think the OP is on about signs when turning into streets. Sometimes you can see them in the entry of the junction but sometimes they are actually hidden. I don't think it would hurt to have repeater signs on those types of sign.
In 20 odd years of driving in the city I've never encountered this 'problem'.There are so many other environmental cues I doubt I'd struggle if all the signs were removed.
Anyway, nonsense thread with silly use of the word "like" - I'm oot!
Neonblau said:
Like, grammarpolice
My point is made. Thank you. 
There seems to be an elite force of 'I've nothing better to do than berate someone else' on here when I'm sure being helpful and staying on topic might actually be a tad more productive. Still that is piston heads for you. I might just register grammArpolice.co.uk and forward it to this thread 
Anyhow back on topic, I still think there would be real benefit to some for us to have lower signs/repeaters or whatever. I'm not suggesting more clutter, just perhaps a bit more thought as I've seen it catch out a lot of people and surely that could well be a safety risk.
ManiacGT said:
My point is made. Thank you. There seems to be an elite force of 'I've nothing better to do than berate someone else' on here when I'm sure being helpful and staying on topic might actually be a tad more productive. Still that is piston heads for you. I might just register grammArpolice.co.uk and forward it to this thread
Anyhow back on topic, I still think there would be real benefit to some for us to have lower signs/repeaters or whatever. I'm not suggesting more clutter, just perhaps a bit more thought as I've seen it catch out a lot of people and surely that could well be a safety risk.
No your point isn't made, exactly the opposite. Piss poor grammar, piss poor spelling - too many people are either too lazy or are unable to put a paragraph together properly but expect everyone else to take their point seriously and then they throw a hissy fit when it doesn't go the way they want. What is about basic spelling and grammar that's so difficult? There seems to be an elite force of 'I've nothing better to do than berate someone else' on here when I'm sure being helpful and staying on topic might actually be a tad more productive. Still that is piston heads for you. I might just register grammArpolice.co.uk and forward it to this thread Anyhow back on topic, I still think there would be real benefit to some for us to have lower signs/repeaters or whatever. I'm not suggesting more clutter, just perhaps a bit more thought as I've seen it catch out a lot of people and surely that could well be a safety risk.
And the "like" makes you sound about 14 years old.
ManiacGT said:
Anyhow back on topic, I still think there would be real benefit to some for us to have lower signs/repeaters or whatever. I'm not suggesting more clutter, just perhaps a bit more thought as I've seen it catch out a lot of people and surely that could well be a safety risk.
Where they're needed they should be lower anyway, about eye level. The only time they need to be higher is when there's a footpath directly below. That can be avoided with astute placement of furniture underneath
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