.......unless your journey is absolutely necessary
Discussion
When the Police Spokesman says 'Do not go out unless your journey is absolutely necessary' does this mean that I don't have to go to work?
We have had this on a couple of occasions due to bad weather - floods or snow, but I have diced with death to get to work - a journey of 20 miles.
But if the local media are reporting that you should not venture out on the road then surely this applies to Joe Public providing you don't work in the essential services.
Any BIBs able to give an official guide on this?
We have had this on a couple of occasions due to bad weather - floods or snow, but I have diced with death to get to work - a journey of 20 miles.
But if the local media are reporting that you should not venture out on the road then surely this applies to Joe Public providing you don't work in the essential services.
Any BIBs able to give an official guide on this?
Big_M said:
When the Police Spokesman says 'Do not go out unless your journey is absolutely necessary' does this mean that I don't have to go to work?
We have had this on a couple of occasions due to bad weather - floods or snow, but I have diced with death to get to work - a journey of 20 miles.
But if the local media are reporting that you should not venture out on the road then surely this applies to Joe Public providing you don't work in the essential services.
Any BIBs able to give an official guide on this?
...and the wages clerk can't make it in to pay ya
I'm afraid I have little time for this business of the police or anyone else 'telling drivers not to travel etc.' as in many cases the 'advice' is inappropriate.
It's a bit like the information on motorway matrix signs. Unless one can rely on the information being reasonably accurate and reliable, people will tend to ignore it.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
It's a bit like the information on motorway matrix signs. Unless one can rely on the information being reasonably accurate and reliable, people will tend to ignore it.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Agree with TripleS.
2 years ago there was a Sunday of very high winds in North East Wales. The local radio was full of Police advice 'Do not go out unless your journey is absolutely necessary' and ' The emergency services are so busy that no calls will be responded to.
I needed to drive 12 miles to Chester and found no less than 3 roads blocked with tress and branches and helped a couple of residents clear one dangerous on away - just around a bend. No sign of police.
On the way back 40 mins later what should I see but........lurking behind a hedge in a well know speed trap spot was an Arrive Alive policewoman with LTI2020.
I had a letter published in the regional rags about the bizarre priorities.
Thats why its difficult to believe any of these nannying statements the authorities trot out.
2 years ago there was a Sunday of very high winds in North East Wales. The local radio was full of Police advice 'Do not go out unless your journey is absolutely necessary' and ' The emergency services are so busy that no calls will be responded to.
I needed to drive 12 miles to Chester and found no less than 3 roads blocked with tress and branches and helped a couple of residents clear one dangerous on away - just around a bend. No sign of police.
On the way back 40 mins later what should I see but........lurking behind a hedge in a well know speed trap spot was an Arrive Alive policewoman with LTI2020.
I had a letter published in the regional rags about the bizarre priorities.
Thats why its difficult to believe any of these nannying statements the authorities trot out.
Roadcop said:
at their peril... 
and mine and everyone else's in the case of motorway matrix...
The matrix signs can be excellent, and should have heed paid to them.
The problem is I've lost count of the number of miles I've done at 40/50 mph expecting to find a huge pile up, only for the road to be totally clear. So I can understand people ignoring them as they're often inaccurate.
Problem obviously occurs when they *are* accurate and nobody lifts.....
Roadcop said:
While the 'don't go out in the weather' statements can have some 'Nannyness' about them...
Matrix signs on motorways save lives...
Yes Gary I'm sure they can do at times, which is why every effort should be made to avoid devaluing the system.
Only this week I travelled on a motorway and saw a couple of matrix signs showing a 40 mph limit, and then finally one that said END.
The traffic was fairly light, visibility was excellent, and everybody continued at about 80-85 mph and there was no indication of any reason for the reduced speed limit. Ironically, if one or two people had reduced speed to 40 mph it might have increased the possibility of a shunt.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Matrix signs are put on for many reasons...most of which aren't obvious...
They are put on for loose animals...(which you might not see)..
Potential suicide attempts from bridges....
To slow traffic down, because of a pursuit or incident further up the motorway...
Lots and lots of reasons...
The fact that you've passed matrix signs previously and not seen the reason, ISN'T a good reason for ignoring them in the future...
They are put on for loose animals...(which you might not see)..
Potential suicide attempts from bridges....
To slow traffic down, because of a pursuit or incident further up the motorway...
Lots and lots of reasons...
The fact that you've passed matrix signs previously and not seen the reason, ISN'T a good reason for ignoring them in the future...
Roadcop said:
Matrix signs are put on for many reasons...most of which aren't obvious...
They are put on for loose animals...(which you might not see)..
Potential suicide attempts from bridges....
To slow traffic down, because of a pursuit or incident further up the motorway...
Lots and lots of reasons...
The fact that you've passed matrix signs previously and not seen the reason, ISN'T a good reason for ignoring them in the future...
Yes fair enough Gary, but it might help if the reason for lowered speed limts were to be made clear. The 40 mph limit being shown on Thursday was not accompanied by any indication of the reason for it.
Certainly something needs to be done to get drivers to respect these messages, and I do not mean heavy handed enforcement.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Mr E said:
The problem is I've lost count of the number of miles I've done at 40/50 mph expecting to find a huge pile up, only for the road to be totally clear.
Nobody is stopping you driving at 70MPH
The speed matrix signs are only advisory, which is why I usually don't slow down.
It really winds me up when there is a numpty vehicle in front that insists on driving at the advisory speeds even when no hazard is visibly in sight.
TripleS said:
Matrix signs are put on for many reasons...most of which aren't obvious...
They are put on for loose animals...(which you might not see)..
Potential suicide attempts from bridges....
To slow traffic down, because of a pursuit or incident further up the motorway...
Lots and lots of reasons...
The fact that you've passed matrix signs previously and not seen the reason, ISN'T a good reason for ignoring them in the future...
Yes fair enough Gary, but it might help if the reason for lowered speed limts were to be made clear. The 40 mph limit being shown on Thursday was not accompanied by any indication of the reason for it.
Certainly something needs to be done to get drivers to respect these messages, and I do not mean heavy handed enforcement.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I completely agree with Dave, I rarely if ever see these sign depicting what is actually going on and on some occasions display "FOG" in clear visability.
However if the 40 mph or 50 mph signs come up I do tend to back off from 90 down to 70 and be even more vigilant....
Cheers,
Steve.
Roadcop said:
While the 'don't go out in the weather' statements can have some 'Nannyness' about them...
Matrix signs on motorways save lives...
And your evidence for that statement is available where?
Or is it just your opinion?
Cos actually the number of deaths has gone up not down
But then we all know thats due to cash/death cameras dont we?
I think at best the matrix signs make no difference and probably get ignored by most people most of the time. Only time I pay any attention is when it says queue ahead and I am not already in one. This is a very rare occurance.
All the other "dont phone" "Dont pick ure nose" "slow down spray" etc is just Tony Blair spin
nonegreen said:
While the 'don't go out in the weather' statements can have some 'Nannyness' about them...
Matrix signs on motorways save lives...
And your evidence for that statement is available where?
Or is it just your opinion?
Well...there's the incident last week where a man jumped from a motorway bridge, moments after dialling 999 to tell the operator what he was doing...
Matrix was set at 40mph and vehicles on that stretch of road decellerated and when the man jumped, various cars managed to avoid him and his only injury was broken leg and pelvis..
Or the time that a police dog was giving chase to a man in a field adjacent to the motorway. Matrix was set on that stretch as a precaution and as it happened, nobody strayed onto the motorway. However, if they had, be it villain or police dog, the drivers might have been travelling at a speed which they would be able to stop.
Or the countless debris that gets reported on the motorway...matrix signs warning of it, or an advisory reduction in speed could make the difference between colliding with the debris and avoiding it...
There are countless other examples....(not counting standing traffic etc etc etc)....as although YOU might look far enough ahead, plan and anticipate...Other driver's often don't...and if it means that they don't collide into the back of you..isn't that a good thing...?
Afterall, how many times do people state on here how 100mph is the speed they often travel at on the motorway.....
Then again....too many people are so fooking clever...they never need any advance warning as they are such good drivers..
BliarOut said:
I love it when it says fog..... How I smile with a jaunty wry grin as I sail by in glourious sunshine
Yep..that's shite...I agree
If we really need the thick motoring public (80%) to slow down...the overhead info boards display DEBRIS IN ROAD....that works better than anything else, as people are more interested in protecting their cars than anybody's life..
Roadcop said:
I love it when it says fog..... How I smile with a jaunty wry grin as I sail by in glourious sunshine
Yep..that's shite...I agree
If we really need the thick motoring public (80%) to slow down...the overhead info boards display DEBRIS IN ROAD....that works better than anything else, as people are more interested in protecting their cars than anybody's life..
Hmmm strange one that RC.
Thinking it over a bit...if some muppet jumps out in front us (as they often do)..my reactions tend to make me NOT want to hit em...a good thing too!
However, im not sure whether its cos i dont want the car damaged or whether its the collision and subsequent pain/trauma/death im trying to avoid.
Its not something ive actually considered before.
Thanks for that one geeza.
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