The Problem - V The Correct Solution?
Discussion
I thought I'd post this topic up to generate some serious debate as to what we should have instead of the current safety system on our roads.
As I drive about over the next few weeks I'll post some pictures up of what I think are major common hazards that are being treated completely wrong by the current "Safety system". (I have a mounted camera in the car & I just have to press a button btw to take a pic)
No1: Enforcing the 40mph speed limit for HGV's on A roads.
A draconian rule dating back to when lorries were steam powered no doubt. Currently enforced to death quite literally on the countries A roads & notably the major brands are forcing their drivers to obey, eg supermarkets, Esso, BP, Argos etc.
This leads directly to this problem as seen within the first few miles of me being on an A road. Romsey to Salisbury road for those who know it. One Argos truck doing 40mph, one car goes for it safely followed by several no doubt frustrated others in a sheep like fashion (hence continued head ons on this road) Also notice how the road has been narrowed with the lines on the borders, makes the road appear narrow to deter overtaking. The end result being?
No2: A Road, Right Turn Juntion, No slip road or reservation but two speed cameras
Classic example of poor or inadequate road design, junction is on the brow of hill so good visibility, single lane, single file traffic. Now I was taught to move my car over the white lines (even doubles) if turning right at such a junction, to make my car visible to those further behind. Mr & Mr's numpty now dare not cross any white lines as it must be dangerous!. Hence numpty sits in the middle of road, making their right turn signal invisisble to anyone but the driver directly behind. Result multiple rear end shunts as drivers don't see the right turn car. The Safety solution? stick two cameras up instead.
The correct solution would be, widen the road to 3 lanes (note there is room for a bus stop already) make a central reservation to get right turners out of the way & clearly visible. Or train all drivers to do it properly at such juntions.
As a note this juntion is littered with skid marks, which usually only are visible for a few weeks, I counted about 8 sets here. So thats about 1 skid every couple of days & most cars are ABS equipped now. Scary thought.
>>> Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 29th September 10:02
As I drive about over the next few weeks I'll post some pictures up of what I think are major common hazards that are being treated completely wrong by the current "Safety system". (I have a mounted camera in the car & I just have to press a button btw to take a pic)
No1: Enforcing the 40mph speed limit for HGV's on A roads.
A draconian rule dating back to when lorries were steam powered no doubt. Currently enforced to death quite literally on the countries A roads & notably the major brands are forcing their drivers to obey, eg supermarkets, Esso, BP, Argos etc.
This leads directly to this problem as seen within the first few miles of me being on an A road. Romsey to Salisbury road for those who know it. One Argos truck doing 40mph, one car goes for it safely followed by several no doubt frustrated others in a sheep like fashion (hence continued head ons on this road) Also notice how the road has been narrowed with the lines on the borders, makes the road appear narrow to deter overtaking. The end result being?
No2: A Road, Right Turn Juntion, No slip road or reservation but two speed cameras
Classic example of poor or inadequate road design, junction is on the brow of hill so good visibility, single lane, single file traffic. Now I was taught to move my car over the white lines (even doubles) if turning right at such a junction, to make my car visible to those further behind. Mr & Mr's numpty now dare not cross any white lines as it must be dangerous!. Hence numpty sits in the middle of road, making their right turn signal invisisble to anyone but the driver directly behind. Result multiple rear end shunts as drivers don't see the right turn car. The Safety solution? stick two cameras up instead.
The correct solution would be, widen the road to 3 lanes (note there is room for a bus stop already) make a central reservation to get right turners out of the way & clearly visible. Or train all drivers to do it properly at such juntions.
As a note this juntion is littered with skid marks, which usually only are visible for a few weeks, I counted about 8 sets here. So thats about 1 skid every couple of days & most cars are ABS equipped now. Scary thought.
>>> Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 29th September 10:02
cptsideways said:
Classic example of poor or inadequate road design, junction is on the brow of hill so good visibility,
I agree with you abot road design being rubbish, or the road users being too scared/misinformed to use it correctly.
One point. a brow of a hill has poor visibility in one direction. The Crest of the hill would have good visibility. Moving over the white lines would set you up for a partial head on with a car coming over the crest that could not see you suerly?
As you say though a central reservation would be an excellent choise!
Its a bit like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted I know, but at least in the Met we consult with the road engineers after every fatal accident to see if the road layout can be changed for the better.
My traffic garage also consults with the relevant Council over new roads etc.
Your post however is tragically accurate....
My traffic garage also consults with the relevant Council over new roads etc.
Your post however is tragically accurate....
will crash said:
Its a bit like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted I know, but at least in the Met we consult with the road engineers after every fatal accident to see if the road layout can be changed for the better.
My traffic garage also consults with the relevant Council over new roads etc.
Your post however is tragically accurate....
If this is true I have to ask why the crash has to be a fatal, surely prevention of as many accidents as possible has to be the goal.
I’ve noticed recently (in the past 3-4 weeks) that a lot more of HGV’s are doing 40mph on single carriageways. I always knew this was their limit, but have only really noticed recently they have really started to follow obey it, especially Tesco ones. Has there been some sort of crack-down recently on them…?
jj
jj
jj. said:
I’ve noticed recently (in the past 3-4 weeks) that a lot more of HGV’s are doing 40mph on single carriageways. I always knew this was their limit, but have only really noticed recently they have really started to follow obey it, especially Tesco ones. Has there been some sort of crack-down recently on them…?
jj
Most of the trucks have GPS controllers 7 I think many are GPS speed controlled too or some very patient drivers.
jj. said:
I’ve noticed recently (in the past 3-4 weeks) that a lot more of HGV’s are doing 40mph on single carriageways. I always knew this was their limit, but have only really noticed recently they have really started to follow obey it, especially Tesco ones. Has there been some sort of crack-down recently on them…?
jj
Probably ... tachos, tracking devices of some kind - probably being scrutinised after each journey. Also - hear on grapevine that they allow just the one offence... 6 points=dole office....
will crash said:
We don`t have the resources and it is true.
Und the scamerati just spend ill gotten gains on devices to gain more ill gotten gains.
They should be spending this money on the broader picture of road safety - and most of it on the first of the three Es (Education and Engineering)
Top post by the way mein lieber cpt
kevinday said:
Agreed, road engineering is needed.
I had a site meeting with the county highways engineer at a dangerous cross roads, which see's perhaps 10 smashes a year, mainly due to poor visibility to the right and the left.
He said he could offer many suggestions to improve highway safety but "politics gets in the way".
Revealing?
But this costs money, not giving an income.
No3: The Random Road Hump
Spotted this one in Cheddar, boody viscous speed hump just at the entrance to the village. As you might be able to make out in the pics its big enough to take sumps out, look at the oil stains!. This thing would rip the bottom out my sports car,leaving me high & dry.
The road sign for this hump is the one by the car very little warning & nothing else & this is an A road. A motorbike or bicycle at night simply would'nt see it. If a motorcyclist death occurs here it would not surprise me in the least.
Spotted this one in Cheddar, boody viscous speed hump just at the entrance to the village. As you might be able to make out in the pics its big enough to take sumps out, look at the oil stains!. This thing would rip the bottom out my sports car,leaving me high & dry.
The road sign for this hump is the one by the car very little warning & nothing else & this is an A road. A motorbike or bicycle at night simply would'nt see it. If a motorcyclist death occurs here it would not surprise me in the least.
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