Driver Location Signs - Whats the point?

Driver Location Signs - Whats the point?

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Discussion

ashleyman

Original Poster:

6,963 posts

98 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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I had to phone up today to report something that had happened whilst I was driving, it warranted a 999 call as it was dangerous. I got straight on the phone and noted the next marker sign. I told the 999 lady I was driving a car and had seen X happening and was very dangerous. She agreed, and asked where it was happening and I told them just before XXX marker sign.

The 999 lady didn't have a clue and started asking where am I by which point in a few miles down an unfamiliar area of motorway. Again, told her the sign I saw it at and the sign I was at and she didn't get it. 'I'm sorry but I don't know what that is and I can't see that on my database. Where was it again?'

In the end I told her I'm driving a car down the MXX, just passed JX but what I'm reporting is miles behind me now as she was wasting time. I then got a little annoyed and said what's the point in having the damn signs if the operators didn't have a clue what they were or how to use them? She said she didn't know so I said she needs to do some homework but I need to get back to driving and then hung up

I was properly annoyed by this point and couldn't help but think there was somebody who needed assistance which they couldn't get because the 999 operator didn't know what a mile marker or driver location sign was or know how to find out where it was on her 'database'.

What is the point in having them if the emergency services don't have access to them?

Sorry for rant. Just annoyed me.

lord trumpton

7,321 posts

125 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Must admit I've got no idea where MXX JX is either

ashleyman

Original Poster:

6,963 posts

98 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
lord trumpton said:
Must admit I've got no idea where MXX JX is either
Was trying to keep it anonymous but if you're going to be pedantic I was on the M25 just past J13

lord trumpton

7,321 posts

125 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
ashleyman said:
lord trumpton said:
Must admit I've got no idea where MXX JX is either
Was trying to keep it anonymous but if you're going to be pedantic I was on the M25 just past J13
So what was this dangerous incident you felt compelled to bother the emergency services with?

Or is that a secret too? cry

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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The phones on the hard shoulder have identifiers on them that allow the call handler to know your location. It's preferable to use them rather than a mobile if possible.

scenario8

6,554 posts

178 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Maybe for a 999 operator "clockwise just before junction 13 of the M25" is enough to give him/her enough information to inform the emergency services or the Highways Agency "appropriately". Perhaps your additional information would be useful to XXX but for their purposes J13 M25 is enough to get the ball rolling.

Or maybe the country has gone to the dogs.

I can't help thinking any 999 responder could be exposed to all manner of calls across just about any subject under the Sun on any given shift.

I'm sure location markers are useful to many.

Dangerous situation near Staines? Sure there must be joke potential there...

ashleyman

Original Poster:

6,963 posts

98 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
scenario8 said:
Maybe for a 999 operator "clockwise just before junction 13 of the M25" is enough to give him/her enough information to inform the emergency services or the Highways Agency "appropriately". Perhaps your additional information would be useful to XXX but for their purposes J13 M25 is enough to get the ball rolling.
I would agree but at the time I didn't know where I was. I had to wait until I saw a sign or something that wasn't just M25 clockwise.

cuprabob

14,419 posts

213 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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ashleyman said:
lord trumpton said:
Must admit I've got no idea where MXX JX is either
Was trying to keep it anonymous but if you're going to be pedantic I was on the M25 just past J13
Sorry but that would be MXX JXX smile

Seriously though I don't think anybody uses mile markers anymore and I'm sure many people don't even know there are arrows telling them which direction to walk to the nearest emergency phone.


Edited by cuprabob on Tuesday 25th July 22:37

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
ashleyman said:
lord trumpton said:
Must admit I've got no idea where MXX JX is either
Was trying to keep it anonymous but if you're going to be pedantic I was on the M25 just past J13
Sorry but that would be MXX JXX smile
Isn't that M20 J20?

ging84

8,829 posts

145 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Next you will be tell me they don't know the meaning of all the randoms codes like EP3 or S13 that people seem to spit out on here with barely any context and expect everyone to know it's some sort of R type datsun.

Alucidnation

16,810 posts

169 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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What was it that happened that needed reporting?

ashleyman

Original Poster:

6,963 posts

98 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
2 people having a punch up on the hard shoulder.

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
ashleyman said:
2 people having a punch up on the hard shoulder.
Chances are CCTV already knew. It'll be appearing on some canned laughter motoring based video clip show within the next year.

scenario8

6,554 posts

178 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Putting the hard into hard shoulder.

Reg Local

2,676 posts

207 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Which emergency service did you ask for when you dialled 999?

FiF

43,960 posts

250 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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The OP's experience is almost word for word the same as mine when I reported something, this time on the M5, lorry lost a wheel which was lying in the carriageway, vehicle down the road a bit half into lane 1.

This was a few months after those location signs had been introduced, so at the time could sort of understand not being familiar with the situation. Years later for the situation to be the same is extremely disappointing.

In fact it's worse, if they're saying that the best thing is to stop on the hard shoulder and use a phone, that's the most dangerous place to be, then wind in the removal of hard shoulder to running lanes and refuges a mile or more apart.

Very poor, not fit for purpose.

AlexRS2782

8,025 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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scenario8 said:
Putting the hard into hard shoulder.
Odds are at least one of them was a powerfully built PH'er attempting to dominate the hard shoulder hehegetmecoat

sonnenschein3000

710 posts

89 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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AlexRS2782 said:
Odds are at least one of them was a powerfully built PH'er attempting to dominate the hard shoulder hehegetmecoat
"Junction XXX: Gary's very Hard Shoulder (and Dave's one way street)"


vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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If you know the number for the County Force, ask to be put through to the Traffic or Motorway Division. They always known the location of motorway markers when I've called them.

George Smiley

5,048 posts

80 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
999 for emergencies such as a crash
101 for spending 45 minutes on hold

For any/all other issues on the road its 03001235000 - highways agency who will instantly prioritise a response