Discussion
Does anyone know the law or conditions regarding placing of cats eyes on roads?
I was travelling home from the rally in Kielder yesterday and as I neared home, (Daventry area) I was on a road with quite heavy fog.
I noticed that on that road there were hardly any cats eyes, the mountings seemed to be there but they did not reflect?
Is this a removal due to no funding to look after them? have they never been there? Was I imagining the placement!!??
All I can say is that in the areas with them driving was far safer, easier and easier to navigate, slow down you say, I was going fairly slowly, well under the speed limit which was 50, but it was very difficult to see anything beyond a few meters, and cats eyes really did help if and when they appeared?
I was travelling home from the rally in Kielder yesterday and as I neared home, (Daventry area) I was on a road with quite heavy fog.
I noticed that on that road there were hardly any cats eyes, the mountings seemed to be there but they did not reflect?
Is this a removal due to no funding to look after them? have they never been there? Was I imagining the placement!!??
All I can say is that in the areas with them driving was far safer, easier and easier to navigate, slow down you say, I was going fairly slowly, well under the speed limit which was 50, but it was very difficult to see anything beyond a few meters, and cats eyes really did help if and when they appeared?
If you mean the A45 around Willoughby - Braunston - Daventry, I noticed that lots of them were missing some years ago (we moved from Grandborough to Thirsk 2.5 years ago). Awful road to drive when it's foggy as it's so wide and featureless, with a major accident spot at the Willoughby crossroads.
A must watch documentary. The man who invented Cats Eyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSS3hEWJ0&t=...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSS3hEWJ0&t=...
I'm not sure what's happened to them. Its almost as if they've gone out of fashion. On one road that I use, it use to have them and then all of a sudden they weren't there just a hole for every single one.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
PisstNBroke said:
I'm not sure what's happened to them. Its almost as if they've gone out of fashion. On one road that I use, it use to have them and then all of a sudden they weren't there just a hole for every single one.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
See the post above, that is what is happening.I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
[quote=Caddyshack][quote=PisstNBroke]I'm not sure what's happened to them. Its almost as if they've gone out of fashion. On one road that I use, it use to have them and then all of a sudden they weren't there just a hole for every single one.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
Cats eyes are set to be replaced on Britain’s roads by new solar powered LED lights.
Long-standing traffic legislation is set to be rewritten to pave the way for the new ‘active studs’, which can shine for up to 10 days with just four hours of charge.
The LEDs can be seen from as far away as 1,000 yards, which is ten times further than the traditional reflective studs, and are seen as a much better alternative for drivers motoring in bad weather.
Strict road laws have prevented any change to the safety devices ever since they were first introduced in the 1930s.
The rules have stated that ‘reflective road studs’ must be used – a legislation that has long impaired the development of any new schemes, with many critics saying the old cats eyes are ‘outdated’.
However, ministers have now conceded that they are open to altering the law, paving the way for the use of the LED lights.
Westminster consultations papers read: ‘We propose amending the regulation to accommodate this technology.
‘Active studs use internal light emitting diodes as their light source, giving extended visibility distances and better performance in poor weather conditions over traditional studs.’
Yorkshireman Percy Shaw invented cats eyes 80 years ago, taking inspiration from the reflection of his car’s own lights in the eyes of his pet.
They are used on roads and motorways across the country, and are a vital tool for motorists when driving at night, marking the path ahead by reflecting the light shined on them by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
Graham Muspratt is product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights.
He told The Telegraph: ‘It is much less stressful driving when the road studs are used because drivers can see further ahead.
‘They have also been proven to improve road discipline.’
I understand that the road studs also need to be fitted at a later date and in a higher position to the cats eyes.
I remember a news piece that went in to detail though that cats eyes were expensive to maintain and would not always be replaced at all.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
Cats eyes are set to be replaced on Britain’s roads by new solar powered LED lights.
Long-standing traffic legislation is set to be rewritten to pave the way for the new ‘active studs’, which can shine for up to 10 days with just four hours of charge.
The LEDs can be seen from as far away as 1,000 yards, which is ten times further than the traditional reflective studs, and are seen as a much better alternative for drivers motoring in bad weather.
Strict road laws have prevented any change to the safety devices ever since they were first introduced in the 1930s.
The rules have stated that ‘reflective road studs’ must be used – a legislation that has long impaired the development of any new schemes, with many critics saying the old cats eyes are ‘outdated’.
However, ministers have now conceded that they are open to altering the law, paving the way for the use of the LED lights.
Westminster consultations papers read: ‘We propose amending the regulation to accommodate this technology.
‘Active studs use internal light emitting diodes as their light source, giving extended visibility distances and better performance in poor weather conditions over traditional studs.’
Yorkshireman Percy Shaw invented cats eyes 80 years ago, taking inspiration from the reflection of his car’s own lights in the eyes of his pet.
They are used on roads and motorways across the country, and are a vital tool for motorists when driving at night, marking the path ahead by reflecting the light shined on them by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
Graham Muspratt is product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights.
He told The Telegraph: ‘It is much less stressful driving when the road studs are used because drivers can see further ahead.
‘They have also been proven to improve road discipline.’
I understand that the road studs also need to be fitted at a later date and in a higher position to the cats eyes.
I remember a news piece that went in to detail though that cats eyes were expensive to maintain and would not always be replaced at all.
^^^ That bears little practical examination to me. Why replace a cheap everlasting reflective device (they're self-cleaning) with LEDs that need solar panels and batteries, and which, being from China, will fail after 3 years?
I too have noticed the gradual disappearance of cats eyes. In fact whilst crossing a nearby section of new road they seemed to have been deliberately smashed (see below). Being rather suspicious of the logic of some road safety wheezes I have a worrying feeling that the grand idea is to make the roads less well marked after dark thus forcing people to drive slower. How that sits with the concept of road safety I'm not sure.
I too have noticed the gradual disappearance of cats eyes. In fact whilst crossing a nearby section of new road they seemed to have been deliberately smashed (see below). Being rather suspicious of the logic of some road safety wheezes I have a worrying feeling that the grand idea is to make the roads less well marked after dark thus forcing people to drive slower. How that sits with the concept of road safety I'm not sure.
Caddyshack said:
Graham Muspratt is product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights. He told The Telegraph: ‘It is much less stressful driving when the road studs are used because drivers can see further ahead. ‘They have also been proven to improve road discipline.’
How about:Graham Muspratt said:
I'm product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights and so will say anything to keep the orders rolling in.
I did some research into the old original ones, my my what a clever bit of design.
So, they were rubber, and if they were crushed by driving over them, as they went down there was a basic lens wipe system in there to clean them from water collected over time! Surrounded by a metal guard to protect them. Hardly need any maintenance I would think, unless as others have said road is replaced or resurfaced. With the garbage cheap grit they use that probably causes umpteen cracked windscreens and massive paint repairs.
So sad that sich a clever design has been replaced by cheap garbage or seemingly not replaced at all. Honestly that road was lethal without them, even driving at say 30 in a 50, if they were there it would not only be safer for me but surely everyone. Another cheap thing to do without for councils,, better keep buying buildings and land to make money huh
So, they were rubber, and if they were crushed by driving over them, as they went down there was a basic lens wipe system in there to clean them from water collected over time! Surrounded by a metal guard to protect them. Hardly need any maintenance I would think, unless as others have said road is replaced or resurfaced. With the garbage cheap grit they use that probably causes umpteen cracked windscreens and massive paint repairs.
So sad that sich a clever design has been replaced by cheap garbage or seemingly not replaced at all. Honestly that road was lethal without them, even driving at say 30 in a 50, if they were there it would not only be safer for me but surely everyone. Another cheap thing to do without for councils,, better keep buying buildings and land to make money huh
flatlandsman said:
I did some research into the old original ones, my my what a clever bit of design.
So, they were rubber, and if they were crushed by driving over them, as they went down there was a basic lens wipe system in there to clean them from water collected over time! Surrounded by a metal guard to protect them. Hardly need any maintenance I would think, unless as others have said road is replaced or resurfaced. With the garbage cheap grit they use that probably causes umpteen cracked windscreens and massive paint repairs.
So sad that sich a clever design has been replaced by cheap garbage or seemingly not replaced at all. Honestly that road was lethal without them, even driving at say 30 in a 50, if they were there it would not only be safer for me but surely everyone. Another cheap thing to do without for councils,, better keep buying buildings and land to make money huh
Good post. But why have cheap simple and effective when you can have trendy solar LEDs that cost far more and will go wrong? Salesman 1, Taxpayers and Motorists 0.So, they were rubber, and if they were crushed by driving over them, as they went down there was a basic lens wipe system in there to clean them from water collected over time! Surrounded by a metal guard to protect them. Hardly need any maintenance I would think, unless as others have said road is replaced or resurfaced. With the garbage cheap grit they use that probably causes umpteen cracked windscreens and massive paint repairs.
So sad that sich a clever design has been replaced by cheap garbage or seemingly not replaced at all. Honestly that road was lethal without them, even driving at say 30 in a 50, if they were there it would not only be safer for me but surely everyone. Another cheap thing to do without for councils,, better keep buying buildings and land to make money huh
Wacky Racer said:
A must watch documentary. The man who invented Cats Eyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSS3hEWJ0&t=...
And if the cat was facing the other way he'd have invented the pencil sharpener https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSS3hEWJ0&t=...
Caddyshack]addyshack said:
PisstNBroke said:
I'm not sure what's happened to them. Its almost as if they've gone out of fashion. On one road that I use, it use to have them and then all of a sudden they weren't there just a hole for every single one.
I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
Cats eyes are set to be replaced on Britain’s roads by new solar powered LED lights.
Long-standing traffic legislation is set to be rewritten to pave the way for the new ‘active studs’, which can shine for up to 10 days with just four hours of charge.
The LEDs can be seen from as far away as 1,000 yards, which is ten times further than the traditional reflective studs, and are seen as a much better alternative for drivers motoring in bad weather.
Strict road laws have prevented any change to the safety devices ever since they were first introduced in the 1930s.
The rules have stated that ‘reflective road studs’ must be used – a legislation that has long impaired the development of any new schemes, with many critics saying the old cats eyes are ‘outdated’.
However, ministers have now conceded that they are open to altering the law, paving the way for the use of the LED lights.
Westminster consultations papers read: ‘We propose amending the regulation to accommodate this technology.
‘Active studs use internal light emitting diodes as their light source, giving extended visibility distances and better performance in poor weather conditions over traditional studs.’
Yorkshireman Percy Shaw invented cats eyes 80 years ago, taking inspiration from the reflection of his car’s own lights in the eyes of his pet.
They are used on roads and motorways across the country, and are a vital tool for motorists when driving at night, marking the path ahead by reflecting the light shined on them by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
Graham Muspratt is product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights.
He told The Telegraph: ‘It is much less stressful driving when the road studs are used because drivers can see further ahead.
‘They have also been proven to improve road discipline.’
I understand that the road studs also need to be fitted at a later date and in a higher position to the cats eyes.
I remember a news piece that went in to detail though that cats eyes were expensive to maintain and would not always be replaced at all.
I first saw these LED studs in the UK about 15 years ago in a select few places. They seemed very effective. I put it down to vandals but in my younger years seem to remember people bragging about breaking them with his car being low.
Cats eyes are set to be replaced on Britain’s roads by new solar powered LED lights.
Long-standing traffic legislation is set to be rewritten to pave the way for the new ‘active studs’, which can shine for up to 10 days with just four hours of charge.
The LEDs can be seen from as far away as 1,000 yards, which is ten times further than the traditional reflective studs, and are seen as a much better alternative for drivers motoring in bad weather.
Strict road laws have prevented any change to the safety devices ever since they were first introduced in the 1930s.
The rules have stated that ‘reflective road studs’ must be used – a legislation that has long impaired the development of any new schemes, with many critics saying the old cats eyes are ‘outdated’.
However, ministers have now conceded that they are open to altering the law, paving the way for the use of the LED lights.
Westminster consultations papers read: ‘We propose amending the regulation to accommodate this technology.
‘Active studs use internal light emitting diodes as their light source, giving extended visibility distances and better performance in poor weather conditions over traditional studs.’
Yorkshireman Percy Shaw invented cats eyes 80 years ago, taking inspiration from the reflection of his car’s own lights in the eyes of his pet.
They are used on roads and motorways across the country, and are a vital tool for motorists when driving at night, marking the path ahead by reflecting the light shined on them by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
Graham Muspratt is product manager at Astucia, the solar firm behind the LED lights.
He told The Telegraph: ‘It is much less stressful driving when the road studs are used because drivers can see further ahead.
‘They have also been proven to improve road discipline.’
I understand that the road studs also need to be fitted at a later date and in a higher position to the cats eyes.
I remember a news piece that went in to detail though that cats eyes were expensive to maintain and would not always be replaced at all.
Presumably they didn't get rolled out more widely due to cost/longevity.
As like everyone else, I've noticed their gradual disappearance over the years. Assumed it was cost cutting, and the fact the powers that be just don't give a f
k.
It's a shame as they are a truly awesome invention that works well. I've done a lot of night driving in Sweden in places that cats eyes (or equivalent) were totally absent and it was awful.
I'll believe these new LED ones when I see them on any of the new roads near me.
k. It's a shame as they are a truly awesome invention that works well. I've done a lot of night driving in Sweden in places that cats eyes (or equivalent) were totally absent and it was awful.
I'll believe these new LED ones when I see them on any of the new roads near me.
Pebbles167 said:
As like everyone else, I've noticed their gradual disappearance over the years. Assumed it was cost cutting, and the fact the powers that be just don't give a fk.
When they all bang on about road safety it makes no sense. You could get an awful lot of cats eyes for the price of a speed camera.k.Ah yes that's it. If they invented cats eyes that fined you £5 for every one you drove over, I bet you'd soon see them back...
Fairly sure this road was where I remember seeing them ages ago:
Amersham Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MRMEdifTNKpX9sWc9
Not been down there for a while now though. Have also seen them in other places but very sporadic. Like a short section of newly surfaced road with new LED studs, with old road either end with no studs at all.
Amersham Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MRMEdifTNKpX9sWc9
Not been down there for a while now though. Have also seen them in other places but very sporadic. Like a short section of newly surfaced road with new LED studs, with old road either end with no studs at all.
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