Discussion
What on earth is it in the human psyche that makes us glance over the armco at shunts on the other side of the motorway? I do alot of motorway driving and I believe I've just about overcome the urge now. Does it help speed up my journey, does it b**loks, because everyone else it seems has to have a quick peek. Some drivers even pay the ultimate price for their noseyness by rearending the car in front, causing further chaos.
I think it's fair to say that rubbernecking is regarded pretty much as the cause for some of our motorway madness, but has anyone actually tried to eliviate it?
Is the solution to the problem something as simple as a tall barrier in the central reservation at motorway blackspots to stop motorists paying more attention to what's going on in the facing lanes?
Thoughts?
I think it's fair to say that rubbernecking is regarded pretty much as the cause for some of our motorway madness, but has anyone actually tried to eliviate it?
Is the solution to the problem something as simple as a tall barrier in the central reservation at motorway blackspots to stop motorists paying more attention to what's going on in the facing lanes?
Thoughts?
Never heard of people trying to stop it by placing barriers between the side fo the motorway, but it does strike me as a good idea.. Maybe safety implications; that barriers are after all designed to reduce injury in accidents..
Somewhere I've some information on the numbers of accidents that occur on the opposite side of the road. Can't remember off the top of my head what the figures were, but there was definately an increased incidence..
Somewhere I've some information on the numbers of accidents that occur on the opposite side of the road. Can't remember off the top of my head what the figures were, but there was definately an increased incidence..
nosey feckersI believe the Highways Agency were/are looking into providing some sort of collapsable tall barrier to hide scene's like this to prevent the rubbernecking that causes tailbacks, sometimes as long as the incident itself.
Rubbernecking occasionally occurs nowdays even just when someone is pulled by the Police..
Rubbernecking occasionally occurs nowdays even just when someone is pulled by the Police..
On every forum I've ever visited or in any debate or conversation I've heard on the subject, the general concensus seems to be that "rubbernecking" is something done by other motorists bur never by the people involved in the immediate debate. Who does it then? It most be people who never use the internet or never discuss the topic. Or is it more likely that "rubberneckibg" as described is a phenomenon that we are all guilty of to a greater or lesser extent.
For a start, I don't think that slowing down at or near the scene of an accident is altogether a bad thing. In fact, when I see flashing blue or orange lights up ahead my initial instinct is to moderate my speed until the danger area is passed. I'd hardly think that staring fixedly ahead like a zombie constitutes good driving. I've always assumed assessing the driving environment around you was the right thing to do, that includes glancing from left to right as well as straight ahead. The labeling of someone behaving like this as "ghoulish" is grossly unfair.
I had the unfortunate experience of coming across a pedestrian accident a year or so ago. When I saw the police cars and ambulance up ahead I slowed to a crawl only to be berated by a member of the public who had taken it upon himself to direct traffic around the scene of the accident for driving slowly! You can't win.
Of course, there will always be idiots who gawk but I would say that they are very much in the minority. Most of us just want to complete our jorneys safely.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 23 January 08:26
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 23 January 08:26
For a start, I don't think that slowing down at or near the scene of an accident is altogether a bad thing. In fact, when I see flashing blue or orange lights up ahead my initial instinct is to moderate my speed until the danger area is passed. I'd hardly think that staring fixedly ahead like a zombie constitutes good driving. I've always assumed assessing the driving environment around you was the right thing to do, that includes glancing from left to right as well as straight ahead. The labeling of someone behaving like this as "ghoulish" is grossly unfair.
I had the unfortunate experience of coming across a pedestrian accident a year or so ago. When I saw the police cars and ambulance up ahead I slowed to a crawl only to be berated by a member of the public who had taken it upon himself to direct traffic around the scene of the accident for driving slowly! You can't win.
Of course, there will always be idiots who gawk but I would say that they are very much in the minority. Most of us just want to complete our jorneys safely.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 23 January 08:26
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 23 January 08:26
Barriers DO work to reduce rubbernecking. Certain motorways into Chicago have them (not necessarily JUST to eliminate rubbernecking) and an accident in one direction would have absolutely zero effect on traffic in the other. You'd hear on the radio that traffic was all messed up in the other direction due to an accident, but if there happened to be a barrier in that spot and you couldn't physically see the flashing lights and carnage, there was no impact on traffic in your direction.
Nothing more frustrating than bumper to bumper traffic, an an extra 45 minute wait for something that didn't even happen in your direction!
Nothing more frustrating than bumper to bumper traffic, an an extra 45 minute wait for something that didn't even happen in your direction!
dimmadan said: I believe the Highways Agency were/are looking into providing some sort of collapsable tall barrier to hide scene's like this to prevent the rubbernecking that causes tailbacks, sometimes as long as the incident itself.
Rubbernecking occasionally occurs nowdays even just when someone is pulled by the Police..
Yep - This is why the Police have 'unofficial' speed limits before they pull you on a busy motorway. At the moment this is 85 mph. Theory is that you are less of a risk at 84 mph, than the police car is on the hard shoulder with flashing lights - causing sudden braking / rubbernecking etc.
Well I recon everyone rubbernecks to a certain extent. Different people do it differently of course. So some people take a quick glance without slowing down. Others slowdown for a good long look.
It is human nature to want to know what's going on. Just look at the crowd that gathers when an ambulance turns up in the street. Or a fight starts outside a pub. Whilst other people just keep walking past.
I recon these barriers would be a great idea as the guy says about Chigaco. If you can't see it, you ain't going to slow down for a better look.
It is human nature to want to know what's going on. Just look at the crowd that gathers when an ambulance turns up in the street. Or a fight starts outside a pub. Whilst other people just keep walking past.
I recon these barriers would be a great idea as the guy says about Chigaco. If you can't see it, you ain't going to slow down for a better look.
The barriers that people are referring to are in fact anti-dazzle fencing or anti pedestrian fencing, a mesh that you can be seen through perpendicular to but not an angle primarily use to prevent oncoming traffic from dazzling drivers with their lights. Its fitted below and above the safety fence(crash barrier). Used quite a lot on dual carriageways in urban areas, not so much on motorways due to the cost of the stuff. Also in urban areas its supposed to prevent pedestrians from crossing at inappropriate points stopping them getting wiped out. Some people still try mind you. I guess to some degree it prevents rubbernecking...
For the first time in my life I was sort of involved in an M1 shunt the other day, just south of J9. Usual sort of thing: we all braked like buggery, then behind me there was a bang and you can imagine my surprise as I glanced to my left to see a motorcyclist going past me sans motorbike. Instantly, the motorway stopped and a few of us jumped out of our cars to help the chap/remove debris/wait with him for the emergency services. He'd hurt his legs but wasn't too badly off, I think.
What surprised me was that the previously free-flowing oncoming traffic slowed down so quickly. I've been in the opposite lane to shunts before and I know people back off for a bit of a look, but that was amazing - like they were braking so as not to hit us - and quite unnerving.
Belgian motorways often seem to have trees and bushes in the central reservation: they take your mind off the other carriageway and its distractions completely, which is a good thing in my opinion. Okay, so the fallen leaves could create something of a hazzard in the Autumn, but I do think motorways should employ some kind of system to block the view of the oncoming traffic.
What surprised me was that the previously free-flowing oncoming traffic slowed down so quickly. I've been in the opposite lane to shunts before and I know people back off for a bit of a look, but that was amazing - like they were braking so as not to hit us - and quite unnerving.
Belgian motorways often seem to have trees and bushes in the central reservation: they take your mind off the other carriageway and its distractions completely, which is a good thing in my opinion. Okay, so the fallen leaves could create something of a hazzard in the Autumn, but I do think motorways should employ some kind of system to block the view of the oncoming traffic.
Accident yesterday on the westbound A30 at the Cornish boarder, rapidly followed by one eastbound at the same place. Blocked the whole road.. Could just be chance..
Go for a nicer evergreen hedge between the carriageways, trees are a bit hard if you hit them. Mind you, if you've already been through the barrier..
Thinking about it, hedges breed wildlife. I'd be concerned at the increased population of critters that would need avoiding; maybe better to go for a fence..
Go for a nicer evergreen hedge between the carriageways, trees are a bit hard if you hit them. Mind you, if you've already been through the barrier..
Thinking about it, hedges breed wildlife. I'd be concerned at the increased population of critters that would need avoiding; maybe better to go for a fence..
williamp said: I really try no to.
But then if I see a great car somewhere, I always want to look.
I know I should'nt, but I just do...
If I see a Cerbera (my fave) going the other way on any road I have to look. Just have to. Sod the consequenses (in a safe way, of course).
In fact, more likely to rubberneck a TVR than an attractive long haired brunette (female) - my other weakness. Sad but true.
Anyone with a grain of curiosity will be guilty of rubbernecking to some extent, it is human nature after all.
The type of barrier used on stretches of the M6 (J3 to J4) are there primarily to reduce glare - there is a long incline there - but the cost to fit these everywhere would be prohibitive I'd reckon.
Short of some sort of temporary barrier erected by the police on site (and they have enough to do already) I can't see how you could stop it.
The type of barrier used on stretches of the M6 (J3 to J4) are there primarily to reduce glare - there is a long incline there - but the cost to fit these everywhere would be prohibitive I'd reckon.
Short of some sort of temporary barrier erected by the police on site (and they have enough to do already) I can't see how you could stop it.
dimmadan said: Rubbernecking occasionally occurs nowdays even just when someone is pulled by the Police..
I've been in a queue caused by people rubber-necking at a pornographic magazine that was open on the central-reservation! It was on the approach to a roundabout on a dual-c. I thought we were queueing for the roundabout (which is not unusual), but was a bit cross when, after passing said publication, the traffic proceeded without delay!
Elsewhere, broken-down cars, stopped police, just about anything can cause rubbernecking and a big queue. But, after sitting there waiting to pass through, I'm damned if I'm not going to have a look and see what the fuss was about...
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