Cars parked on motorway bridges
Discussion
Other than police with a speed trap, why do people do it?
A lot of times I've a single car parked on a motorway bridge with the driver seemingly just sat there doing nothing. Is it supposed to be relaxing? Can't see how. Noisy, often windy, nauseating. Then you get those occasions where 2-3 people are stood by the railing watching the traffic. Other than recording someone for an exhaust tone Youtube video I can't understand why?
A lot of times I've a single car parked on a motorway bridge with the driver seemingly just sat there doing nothing. Is it supposed to be relaxing? Can't see how. Noisy, often windy, nauseating. Then you get those occasions where 2-3 people are stood by the railing watching the traffic. Other than recording someone for an exhaust tone Youtube video I can't understand why?
Because it's usually the first wide, straight, locationable stop when traversing the miriad of UK B-Roads.
Or, it's the crossing between towns twixt dog walkers travel after being split by government buy-outs. Where dog walkers, also take children for the ascribed outing before Sunday Lunch.
What's not to understand.
The UK is a hodgepodge of small locales both linked and divided by the motorway network.
A crossover is akin to a train station or bus stop. A moment for pause, reflection, realignment etc.
The number of scrotes looking to drop concrete blocks on you is significantly fewer than those who came across said crossing through general traversal of our eclectic nation.
Or, it's the crossing between towns twixt dog walkers travel after being split by government buy-outs. Where dog walkers, also take children for the ascribed outing before Sunday Lunch.
What's not to understand.
The UK is a hodgepodge of small locales both linked and divided by the motorway network.
A crossover is akin to a train station or bus stop. A moment for pause, reflection, realignment etc.
The number of scrotes looking to drop concrete blocks on you is significantly fewer than those who came across said crossing through general traversal of our eclectic nation.
When walking back from a local nature reserve I sometimes use a bridge over the motorway. Usually stop and sit down on a low barrier for a few minutes as the view of the area is good, sometimes see some poor driving and in the summer the breeze can be really refreshing.
I did once have a police car stop by me on the bridge and the PC asked if I was alright. He had driven along the motorway and seen me sitting there so came to check on my welfare.
I did once have a police car stop by me on the bridge and the PC asked if I was alright. He had driven along the motorway and seen me sitting there so came to check on my welfare.
littleredrooster said:
Squadrone Rosso said:
My FiL is a lorry spotter. Loads of them do this.
^ ^ This. Stobart-spotters. Often loads of them around the area of Watford Gap services, M1, as it's close to one of their larger depots.
He’s been visited by the cops a few times when spotting just in case he was a jumper. Lorry spotting is a massive community,
I live a short distance from a bridge over a major A-road and will sometimes take a walk out there and pause, for a time, over the carriageways. The experience leaves one with a slight frisson; I suspect from the death drive having risen, momentarily, to the fore. It comes, in all likelihood, from the jarring juxtaposition of the states of peril and safety that one is placed in. It's a place of discord and - as young people would have it - liminality. One imagines climbing over the rail, possibly even grips it in preparation for doing so, but doesn't proceed - almost as if testing one's resolve to carry on living. Doing that creates, however briefly, an altered state of consciousness.
That's why I like motorway bridges, anyway. They alter the mind far more cheaply than acid tabs...
Secondary points: leaning over and feeling the rush of the wind from the oncoming traffic is fun. If you do it for long enough, lorry drivers start sounding their horns. No idea why, but it always happens.
That's why I like motorway bridges, anyway. They alter the mind far more cheaply than acid tabs...
Secondary points: leaning over and feeling the rush of the wind from the oncoming traffic is fun. If you do it for long enough, lorry drivers start sounding their horns. No idea why, but it always happens.
Missy Charm said:
I live a short distance from a bridge over a major A-road and will sometimes take a walk out there and pause, for a time, over the carriageways. The experience leaves one with a slight frisson; I suspect from the death drive having risen, momentarily, to the fore. It comes, in all likelihood, from the jarring juxtaposition of the states of peril and safety that one is placed in. It's a place of discord and - as young people would have it - liminality. One imagines climbing over the rail, possibly even grips it in preparation for doing so, but doesn't proceed - almost as if testing one's resolve to carry on living. Doing that creates, however briefly, an altered state of consciousness.
I'd argue it's the very opposite of a liminal space. It is well defined, and defined by the crossing of two domains. It isn't an unowned, othered place in the void between two domains. Now, the journey from the passing-over to the passing-under would be a liminal experience.
Geertsen said:
I always stop for a moment when I cross a bridge like that on foot. In the hope of seeing something interesting go by I suppose. It’s definitely unsettling as a driver when someone / people are stood by the railings and you are driving under though.
Edited by Fastlane on Monday 27th January 09:09
Squadrone Rosso said:
littleredrooster said:
Squadrone Rosso said:
My FiL is a lorry spotter. Loads of them do this.
^ ^ This. Stobart-spotters. Often loads of them around the area of Watford Gap services, M1, as it's close to one of their larger depots.
He’s been visited by the cops a few times when spotting just in case he was a jumper. Lorry spotting is a massive community,
Off to Google...
Missy Charm said:
I live a short distance from a bridge over a major A-road and will sometimes take a walk out there and pause, for a time, over the carriageways. The experience leaves one with a slight frisson; I suspect from the death drive having risen, momentarily, to the fore. It comes, in all likelihood, from the jarring juxtaposition of the states of peril and safety that one is placed in. It's a place of discord and - as young people would have it - liminality. One imagines climbing over the rail, possibly even grips it in preparation for doing so, but doesn't proceed - almost as if testing one's resolve to carry on living. Doing that creates, however briefly, an altered state of consciousness.
That's why I like motorway bridges, anyway. They alter the mind far more cheaply than acid tabs...
Secondary points: leaning over and feeling the rush of the wind from the oncoming traffic is fun. If you do it for long enough, lorry drivers start sounding their horns. No idea why, but it always happens.
Quite poetic! That's why I like motorway bridges, anyway. They alter the mind far more cheaply than acid tabs...
Secondary points: leaning over and feeling the rush of the wind from the oncoming traffic is fun. If you do it for long enough, lorry drivers start sounding their horns. No idea why, but it always happens.
Does make me uneasy unfortunately as I know quite a few young lads who took their own lives (not motorway bridges). Makes me wonder if stuff like that factors in somehow along the way.
Truckosaurus said:
Scrump said:
....He had driven along the motorway and seen me sitting there so came to check on my welfare.
Perhaps it looked like you were going to toss yourself off.What?
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