Red-painted crossing

[Arese]

Hello

On my daily commute to work I pass two schools, and as I pass at around 8:40 it's usually quite busy with brats and their 'parents'.

Now, across quite a busy road is a red painted area. There are no other markings, no signs, no traffic lights, just this red painted area. Worryingly, the parents and moreso the kids think this area gives them the right to just step out into the traffic. Obviously I approach it with care, but over the last month I've had to brake heavily on two occasions when a child has stepped out. Obviously this results in me being stared at by the 'parent' and branded a speeding motorist.

I've never seen this kind of 'crossing' before. Anyone else? It seems to me like the school have maybe painted it themselves. I think it's very dangerous though as most drivers (including me) just ignore it.

Google Maps Link

Interested in any thoughts, as I've considered writing to the school or local council.

[Jayho]

Try looking at local newspapers or newsletters ect, see if there's been a issue before and what the sign actually means. saves you contacting the other people. If its something to aid the school children ect, is there no other by route you can take?

[Arese]

Jayho said:

Try looking at local newspapers or newsletters ect, see if there's been a issue before and what the sign actually means. saves you contacting the other people. If its something to aid the school children ect, is there no other by route you can take?

I have a few friends with kids that live near there, and use that school, so I'll ask them next time I see them. In my opinion, it actually makes the road more dangerous by making pedestrians think they can just cross willy-nilly. Ideally, they need a proper controlled crossing there, but I suspect because of it's position close to two junctions they wouldn't be allowed.

There is another route, but it would take me up to another ten minutes to get to work.

[streaky]

I have posted before about the 'crossing-that-isn't-a-crossing' (it's a speed bump). The OP's description appears to be one of those situations where one type of road engineering is being confused with another ... to the potential harm of pedestrian and motorist.

Having seen some worryingly cavalier attitudes displayed by pedestrians at the 'crossing-that-isn't-a-crossing' I am fearful that this unthinking approach to 'road engineering' will lead to disaster. Iam also concerned that it implants in young minds the belief that pedestrians have right of way over road vehicles wherever there is an arrangement such as described.

Streaky

[Arese]

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

[covboy]

Arese said:

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

Don't they have proper Art Classes these days ?

[Arese]

covboy said:

Arese said:

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

Don't they have proper Art Classes these days ?

Have you seen the price of canvas?

[Dwight VanDriver]

No legal status and as stated confusing.

Sec of State can authorise a sign/line that does not conform but this I presume would have been brought to the notice of locals so doubtful.

Speak to local authority Traffic Management/Police and report as a danger.

dvd

[oldsoak]

Arese said:

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

It is a coloured road surface...a very expensive coloured road surface and it will have been laid by the local authority/council ...it is those idiots you want to be writing to not the school.

[Arese]

oldsoak said:

Arese said:

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

It is a coloured road surface...a very expensive coloured road surface and it will have been laid by the local authority/council ...it is those idiots you want to be writing to not the school.

Ok cheers oldsoak, and everyone else.

I've got email addresses for the council and police, so I'll email them both. I think we all know how powerful a strongly worded email can be.

[oldsoak]

Arese said:

oldsoak said:

Arese said:

Spot on Streaky, that is my concern.

I can only assume that the school have painted this on the road.

It is a coloured road surface...a very expensive coloured road surface and it will have been laid by the local authority/council ...it is those idiots you want to be writing to not the school.

Ok cheers oldsoak, and everyone else.

I've got email addresses for the council and police, so I'll email them both. I think we all know how powerful a strongly worded email can be.

Be a lot better if you got a hold of your local councillor (preferably in a vice like grip around the scrotum) and explained your misgivings to him about these patches of coloured road surfaces lulling pedestrians into a false sense of security.
They take more notice when they have something to lose if they don't...

[Arese]

Right, I've just emailed the council. Let's see what doesn't happen.

oldsoak said:

Be a lot better if you got a hold of your local councillor (preferably in a vice like grip around the scrotum) and explained your misgivings to him about these patches of coloured road surfaces lulling pedestrians into a false sense of security.
They take more notice when they have something to lose if they don't...

This isn't actually my local Parish, so I imagine he wouldn't listen to me?

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 25th May 16:28

[oldsoak]

Arese said:

Right, I've just emailed the council. Let's see what doesn't happen.

oldsoak said:

Be a lot better if you got a hold of your local councillor (preferably in a vice like grip around the scrotum) and explained your misgivings to him about these patches of coloured road surfaces lulling pedestrians into a false sense of security.
They take more notice when they have something to lose if they don't...

This isn't actually my local Parish, so I imagine he wouldn't listen to me?

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 25th May 16:28

You'd be surprised who listens to you when you have a handful of their 'nads

[Arese]

oldsoak said:

Arese said:

Right, I've just emailed the council. Let's see what doesn't happen.

oldsoak said:

Be a lot better if you got a hold of your local councillor (preferably in a vice like grip around the scrotum) and explained your misgivings to him about these patches of coloured road surfaces lulling pedestrians into a false sense of security.
They take more notice when they have something to lose if they don't...

This isn't actually my local Parish, so I imagine he wouldn't listen to me?

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 25th May 16:28

You'd be surprised who listens to you when you have a handful of their 'nads

[Dr John]

oldsoak said:

You'd be surprised who listens to you when you have a handful of their 'nads

As Air Force Chief of Staff Curtis LeMay reportedly said:
“Grab ‘em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow.”

[Mill Wheel]

Looks like this red paint on the A591 at Ings. It seems to be there to tell you the speed limit changes from 50 to 40 mph and vice versa!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

[herewego]

Don't the red strips just mean take care kids about. Wouldn't it be reasonable to just stop for the kids to cross. Normally there'd be a lollipop person there wouldn't there?

[Parrot of Doom]

Looks like a bit of coloured tarmac, created by the local authority, to guide pedestrians into crossing at a particular point.

I'd have a word with the headmaster and ask what the school's policy is. Mention that you've had to perform an emergency stop, and that perhaps the school might consider telling its pupils that traffic is under no obligation to stop for them, and that they might die.

[TonyRPH]

I find it strange how the responsibility of a pedestrian crossing the road now appears to fall on the motorist rather than the pedestrian.

This seems to be the new way forward in the absence of proper pedestrian education, and the car hostile society we Britons find ourselves a part of.

[herewego]

TonyRPH said:

I find it strange how the responsibility of a pedestrian crossing the road now appears to fall on the motorist rather than the pedestrian.

This seems to be the new way forward in the absence of proper pedestrian education, and the car hostile society we Britons find ourselves a part of.

I don't think I would call a country with 30 odd million cars hostile to the car. Motorists have always had to take care of pedestrians simply because of the vulnerability. I don't see any problem with this. You give pedestrians room to make a mistake and you all get home for tea.