Quiz time! What do you actually know about.....?
Discussion
MOTORWAYS
Taking a lead from Tonyrecs posts recently I thought that many of you drive many miles on motorways and was interested to find out the extent of knowledge.
Here are some simple questions about roads which we take for granted. What do you actually know?
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
A motorway is classed as a 'special road'
2. How wide are the lanes?
The lanes are 12 feet wide
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
The hard shoulder is 10 feet wide
4. What is the marginal strip?
The marginal strip is the white line between lane 1 and the hard shoulder
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
Red, green, amber, white.
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile between them
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
The police HQ control room for that force area that you are travelling through
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
ARMCO
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Pedestrians, holders of provisional car or motorcycle licences unless exempt, riders of motorcycles under 50cc, cyclists, horse riders,Vehicles not capable of exceeding 25mph, agricultural vehicles and most invalid carriages.
Note that vehicles over 7500kg GVW, any vehicle pulling a trailer and vehicles over 12 meters long are prohibited from the outside lane.
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
16 1/2 feet
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
STOP and do not proceed any further in this lane. It is exactly the same as a red traffic light at a junction
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
If you are caught and processed, Endorsable FPT £60 and 3 points. At Court, Level 3 fine on the standard scale and discretionary disqualification if the sign is covered by Section 36 Road Traffic Act 1988 (all red lights are covered by this section) and 3 points. You could also be reported for Section 3 RTA 1988 Careless Driving which has up to 9 points and discretionary disqualification and a fine up to level 4 on the standard scale.
15. What is a VMS?
Variable Message Sign, which are the large cantelevered signs adjacent to the hard shoulder or on overhead gantries which give specific written information
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
100 meters
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards Strange that phones and exit markers are in imperial and marker posts in meters!
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
There are 6. There is a 1 mile marker with town names, 1/2 mile marker with road numbers, three count down markers at 100 yards and an exit sign with the town name and road numbers just prior to the slip road.
19. What is a matrix sign?
Either singly placed on a pole in the central reservation or in line above a gantry or bridge over each lane to give basic information in relation to fog, speed, or lane closures.
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Advisory, but could corroborate evidence to either a dangerous or careless driving charge if an incident occurs and the information is being ignored
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Yes. When directed to do so by signs or by a Police officer or in an emergency to facilitate stopping. To regain the carriageway by using it as an acceleration lane from stationary
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
This is a 4 or 5 feet deep trench filled with gravel. It is called a 'FRENCH DRAIN'. Do not stop on it in a heavy vehicle or if stopped on it, attempt to pull away other than gently in any other vehicle as the wheels on it will sink very quickly and there is no solid surface to jack it back out from!
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
These are to notify the position of an ECP at night to emergency vehicles. There are not so many of them these days as ECPs are becoming de-commisioned except for stretches of motorway which have extraordinary long distances between junctions
24. What is an ECP?
It is an 'Emergency Crossing Point' which is a gap in the central barrier of a motorway to allow emergency vehicles rapid access to the opposite carriageway. It is gaurded by stick cones which collapse when driven over and then spring back into position
25. can you use and ECP?
There are occasions when you can use them but only at the direction of the Police! This would be in the situation of a motorway closure and large amounts of traffic unable to exit the motorway other than by being turned around
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
The highway code rule 96, states you must not use them other than stationary unless you are on a Motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure your warning has been observed.
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
600 feet
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
To locate the exact position of the phone in the control room of the Police force area that the phone is in
30. What does this number mean?
The phone is preceded by a letter which denotes the carriageway to the Police operator and Police patrols. 'A' carriageways are 'A'way from London. 'B' Carriageways are 'B'ack to London, except in the case of orbital Motorways where the A carriageway is Clockwise and B carrigeway is anti-clockwise.
The first number of the 4 numbers on the phone box determines which motorway it actually is and is used by the MOD as identification in times of warfare for logistical military purposes
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
The minimum legal distance is 45 meters. I suggest that if you do use one it is at least double that distance!
I hope this is not seen as teaching people to suck eggs but in day to day business, I find it incredible that many people that I stop do not have the feintest idea about the road they are using. Answers on a post carD
>>> Edited by madcop on Friday 19th September 00:43
>>> Edited by madcop on Friday 19th September 00:49
Taking a lead from Tonyrecs posts recently I thought that many of you drive many miles on motorways and was interested to find out the extent of knowledge.
Here are some simple questions about roads which we take for granted. What do you actually know?
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
A motorway is classed as a 'special road'
2. How wide are the lanes?
The lanes are 12 feet wide
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
The hard shoulder is 10 feet wide
4. What is the marginal strip?
The marginal strip is the white line between lane 1 and the hard shoulder
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
Red, green, amber, white.
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile between them
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
The police HQ control room for that force area that you are travelling through
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
ARMCO
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Pedestrians, holders of provisional car or motorcycle licences unless exempt, riders of motorcycles under 50cc, cyclists, horse riders,Vehicles not capable of exceeding 25mph, agricultural vehicles and most invalid carriages.
Note that vehicles over 7500kg GVW, any vehicle pulling a trailer and vehicles over 12 meters long are prohibited from the outside lane.
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
16 1/2 feet
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
STOP and do not proceed any further in this lane. It is exactly the same as a red traffic light at a junction
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
If you are caught and processed, Endorsable FPT £60 and 3 points. At Court, Level 3 fine on the standard scale and discretionary disqualification if the sign is covered by Section 36 Road Traffic Act 1988 (all red lights are covered by this section) and 3 points. You could also be reported for Section 3 RTA 1988 Careless Driving which has up to 9 points and discretionary disqualification and a fine up to level 4 on the standard scale.
15. What is a VMS?
Variable Message Sign, which are the large cantelevered signs adjacent to the hard shoulder or on overhead gantries which give specific written information
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
100 meters
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards Strange that phones and exit markers are in imperial and marker posts in meters!
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
There are 6. There is a 1 mile marker with town names, 1/2 mile marker with road numbers, three count down markers at 100 yards and an exit sign with the town name and road numbers just prior to the slip road.
19. What is a matrix sign?
Either singly placed on a pole in the central reservation or in line above a gantry or bridge over each lane to give basic information in relation to fog, speed, or lane closures.
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Advisory, but could corroborate evidence to either a dangerous or careless driving charge if an incident occurs and the information is being ignored
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Yes. When directed to do so by signs or by a Police officer or in an emergency to facilitate stopping. To regain the carriageway by using it as an acceleration lane from stationary
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
This is a 4 or 5 feet deep trench filled with gravel. It is called a 'FRENCH DRAIN'. Do not stop on it in a heavy vehicle or if stopped on it, attempt to pull away other than gently in any other vehicle as the wheels on it will sink very quickly and there is no solid surface to jack it back out from!
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
These are to notify the position of an ECP at night to emergency vehicles. There are not so many of them these days as ECPs are becoming de-commisioned except for stretches of motorway which have extraordinary long distances between junctions
24. What is an ECP?
It is an 'Emergency Crossing Point' which is a gap in the central barrier of a motorway to allow emergency vehicles rapid access to the opposite carriageway. It is gaurded by stick cones which collapse when driven over and then spring back into position
25. can you use and ECP?
There are occasions when you can use them but only at the direction of the Police! This would be in the situation of a motorway closure and large amounts of traffic unable to exit the motorway other than by being turned around
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
The highway code rule 96, states you must not use them other than stationary unless you are on a Motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure your warning has been observed.
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
600 feet
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
To locate the exact position of the phone in the control room of the Police force area that the phone is in
30. What does this number mean?
The phone is preceded by a letter which denotes the carriageway to the Police operator and Police patrols. 'A' carriageways are 'A'way from London. 'B' Carriageways are 'B'ack to London, except in the case of orbital Motorways where the A carriageway is Clockwise and B carrigeway is anti-clockwise.
The first number of the 4 numbers on the phone box determines which motorway it actually is and is used by the MOD as identification in times of warfare for logistical military purposes
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
The minimum legal distance is 45 meters. I suggest that if you do use one it is at least double that distance!
I hope this is not seen as teaching people to suck eggs but in day to day business, I find it incredible that many people that I stop do not have the feintest idea about the road they are using. Answers on a post carD
>>> Edited by madcop on Friday 19th September 00:43
>>> Edited by madcop on Friday 19th September 00:49
madcop said:Now, why would we know that? We all drive at a maximum of 70mph ... don't we?
MOTORWAYS
[snip]
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
[snip]
Perhaps a more releavnt question would be: "What is the minimum distance you need to slow from 100 to the speed limit in force when you spot a Talivan/Trafpol/Gasto/etc. (assuming you do not have a radar/laser detector)?" Streaky
streaky said:
MOTORWAYS
[snip]
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
[snip]
Now, why would we know that? We all drive at a maximum of 70mph ... don't we?
Streaky
So come on then! lets hear the answer
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
ummm, Motorway ?
2. How wide are the lanes?
psss
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
10ft
4. What is the marginal strip?
the noisy thing at the edge of the hard shoulder / lane 1
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
5
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
yellow
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
the local control centre
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
pass
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
invalid carridges, mopeds and other motor bikes under 50cc, push bikes, planes
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
pass
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
lane closed ahead
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
a mars bar moment
15. What is a VMS?
pass
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
10 meters
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 meters
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
the black signs on the central reservation with lights installed in a matrix pattern
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
no, its advisory
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
only when slowing to a halt or accelerating back to a safe speed to rejoin the motorway
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
the alloy wheel scratcher
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
decoration?
24. What is an ECP?
pass
25. can you use and ECP?
see 24
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
physically yes you can , but should you be?
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
pass
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
to identify the phone
30. What does this number mean?
it means the phone can be uniquely identified and therefore located
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
100meters?
ummm, Motorway ?
2. How wide are the lanes?
psss
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
10ft
4. What is the marginal strip?
the noisy thing at the edge of the hard shoulder / lane 1
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
5
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
yellow
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
the local control centre
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
pass
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
invalid carridges, mopeds and other motor bikes under 50cc, push bikes, planes
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
pass
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
lane closed ahead
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
a mars bar moment
15. What is a VMS?
pass
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
10 meters
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 meters
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
the black signs on the central reservation with lights installed in a matrix pattern
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
no, its advisory
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
only when slowing to a halt or accelerating back to a safe speed to rejoin the motorway
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
the alloy wheel scratcher
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
decoration?
24. What is an ECP?
pass
25. can you use and ECP?
see 24
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
physically yes you can
, but should you be? 27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
pass
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
to identify the phone
30. What does this number mean?
it means the phone can be uniquely identified and therefore located
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
100meters?
Assuming 100% efficient brakes ie good car with no faults the stopping distance is actually 330 ft. The thinking distance is 30 to 70 ft unless you have the reactions of civil servant who's excited about a new form, when the thinking time becomes 150ft. If however you work for the department of transport and you assume the average British subject is still driving one of those nice little Morris Minors then the stopping distance becomes 550 ft . This combined with the maximum doziness gives a combined total of 700ft ooh errrr 
Good quiz madcop
Good quiz madcop 1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
I'd have said motorway too.
2. How wide are the lanes?
er pass
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
er pass again
4. What is the marginal strip?
Something back bench Tory MPS and Chief Constables do?
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
Dunno. Not in to piercings
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
Er pass again
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
Nope don't know this either
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Control centre
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
As above but also those driven by learners
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
4 metres?
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
Lane closed (except to BMW drivers
) 14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
er Pass
15. What is a VMS?
Type of operating system for mid range computers. Not sure how this is relevant
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
er pass
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 m
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
4 (3 count downs and a direction)
19. What is a matrix sign?
the variable style sign which displays FOG in clear conditions
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
er no?
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
yes thanks, but only when stopping for an emergency or rejoining the carriage way (& during road works)
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
Kitty litter?
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
So you don't hit the barrier
24. What is an ECP?
pass
25. can you use and ECP?
pass
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Yes. They are there to alert others that you are a hazard
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
trick question
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
to identify the phone
30. What does this number mean?
er pass
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
100 m
Ok. I'm rubbish. Who do I hand my keys too.
Good quiz. Amazing how much I don't know. Is this stuff all in the Highway code these days?
Oh go on, it'll be funny seeing how wrong I am
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
Dual carriageway
2. How wide are the lanes?
10 or 12 feet, I believe
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
10 feet
4. What is the marginal strip?
Paint between hard shoulder and lane 1
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
3 - red, green, white
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green?
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red?
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Police operator?
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Bicycles, mopeds, slow vehicles (i.e. tractors)
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
No idea - 4 metres?
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
Lane closed
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Same as running a red light
15. What is a VMS?
Voice Message Service
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
Erm, 1/10 of a mile (guess) - which makes 15 something like Velocity Marker System?
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards (in theory, often closer together)
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
4 on a motorway including the indicator board, 3 otherwise
19. What is a matrix sign?
Square-ish sign with a light matrix to give traffic signs
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Only if appropriately indicated (e.g. red circle around a speed limit) otherwise advisory
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Only for the purposes of stopping and starting in an emergency (can you trundle along until you reach the next phone?)
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
???
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
No idea
24. What is an ECP?
At a guess, an opening in the barrier between the carriageways
25. can you use and ECP?
No. Emergency vehicles only
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Don't see why not
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
Trick question! Oh, erm, on track . . . 150 metres?
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
to indicate exact location from which the call is being made
30. What does this number mean?
Pass.
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
100m
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
Dual carriageway
2. How wide are the lanes?
10 or 12 feet, I believe
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
10 feet
4. What is the marginal strip?
Paint between hard shoulder and lane 1
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
3 - red, green, white
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green?
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red?
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Police operator?
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Bicycles, mopeds, slow vehicles (i.e. tractors)
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
No idea - 4 metres?
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
Lane closed
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Same as running a red light
15. What is a VMS?
Voice Message Service
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
Erm, 1/10 of a mile (guess) - which makes 15 something like Velocity Marker System?
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards (in theory, often closer together)
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
4 on a motorway including the indicator board
, 3 otherwise 19. What is a matrix sign?
Square-ish sign with a light matrix to give traffic signs
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Only if appropriately indicated (e.g. red circle around a speed limit) otherwise advisory
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Only for the purposes of stopping and starting in an emergency (can you trundle along until you reach the next phone?)
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
???
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
No idea
24. What is an ECP?
At a guess, an opening in the barrier between the carriageways
25. can you use and ECP?
No. Emergency vehicles only
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Don't see why not
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
Trick question! Oh, erm, on track . . . 150 metres?
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
to indicate exact location from which the call is being made
30. What does this number mean?
Pass.
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
100m
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
A motorway
2. How wide are the lanes?
At a guess... 15ft?
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
12ft??
4. What is the marginal strip?
The bit between lane one and hard shoulder - usually a white line or rumble strip
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
4
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
Green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red?
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Police control centre (??? never used one!)
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
???
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Cycles and motorbikes under 125cc
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
?? - quite high ;o)
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
Lane closed
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Shot at dawn.
15. What is a VMS?
Pass
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
200 yds
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards (or is it metres??)
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
The little signs, normally in the centre of the motorway which advise of temporary restrictions like fog, reduced speed limits...
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Yes
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Only when slowing down or accelerating for a "legitimate" stop on the HS.
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
Bernard?
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
No idea!
24. What is an ECP?
Eugene Cross Park - a rugby ground in Ebbw Vale.
25. can you use and ECP?
Only if you want to see Ebbw Vale play. Not recommended.
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Yes - my car does it. Just press the button while you are moving ;o)
Serious answer - yes you can use them to advise other motorists of a hazard.
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
Don't know, surely that ones not listed in the Highway Code!? Guess - 650 yds.
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
To identify and and allow the control room to know exactly where you are.
30. What does this number mean?
Meaning of life?
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
I seem to remember reading that you shouldn't use one on a motorway....
How long do we have to wait for the answers?
A motorway
2. How wide are the lanes?
At a guess... 15ft?
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
12ft??
4. What is the marginal strip?
The bit between lane one and hard shoulder - usually a white line or rumble strip
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
4
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
Green
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red?
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
1 mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Police control centre (??? never used one!)
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
???
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Cycles and motorbikes under 125cc
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
?? - quite high ;o)
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
Lane closed
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Shot at dawn.
15. What is a VMS?
Pass
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
200 yds
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards (or is it metres??)
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
The little signs, normally in the centre of the motorway which advise of temporary restrictions like fog, reduced speed limits...
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
Yes
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Only when slowing down or accelerating for a "legitimate" stop on the HS.
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
Bernard?
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
No idea!
24. What is an ECP?
Eugene Cross Park - a rugby ground in Ebbw Vale.
25. can you use and ECP?
Only if you want to see Ebbw Vale play. Not recommended.
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Yes - my car does it. Just press the button while you are moving ;o)
Serious answer - yes you can use them to advise other motorists of a hazard.
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
Don't know, surely that ones not listed in the Highway Code!? Guess - 650 yds.
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
To identify and and allow the control room to know exactly where you are.
30. What does this number mean?
Meaning of life?
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
I seem to remember reading that you shouldn't use one on a motorway....
How long do we have to wait for the answers?
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
Assuming Moggie Minor with drum brakes on cross-ply tyres in wet conditions then:-
(algorithm used in HC)
Velocity (in MPH) squared, divided by twenty, plus velocity gives the recommended answer (for any speed).
100 MPH gives 600 ft. And if it took me 600 ft to stop from 100, I would be trading my car in!
Assuming Moggie Minor with drum brakes on cross-ply tyres in wet conditions then:-
(algorithm used in HC)
Velocity (in MPH) squared, divided by twenty, plus velocity gives the recommended answer (for any speed).
100 MPH gives 600 ft. And if it took me 600 ft to stop from 100, I would be trading my car in!
Is the ECP the proper name for the "authorised vehicle only" entrances/exits that you sometimes drive past, which are used to allow local emergency vehicles onto the motorway without having to go all the way to the nearest junction ?
Out of interest, how would they know if I used one of these? Do they have cameras?
>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 16th September 14:09
Out of interest, how would they know if I used one of these? Do they have cameras?
>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 16th September 14:09
Good quiz dude, here is my attempt till I get told to get on with the decorating anyway!
1. clearway
2. 3.60m
3. 2.75m urban m-ways, 3.30 m rural m-ways
4. complete guess. Terrain between back of verge and the highway boundary.
Unless its that ribbed white line?
5. 4 white, orange, red, green
6. green
7. green
8. approx 1 mile, say approx because it can vary slightly with highway features eg on/off slip
9. local police control room
10. Armco
11. Pedestrians, provisional licence holders (all or only some? Have to look it up) m/c under 50cc, pedal cyclists, horse riders, animals generally, agricultural and invalid carriages, slow moving vehicles slower than 20mph? unless with permission and an escort), if any more I give up
12. 6.18m (new construction 6.45m)
13. lane closed ahead, proceed no further in this lane
14. as for passing a TL @ red ?? guess
15. variable message sign
16. 100m
17. 100 yds
18. 6 consisting of, 3 countdown markers, direction signs @ 1m. 1/2m and at jn
19. sign on the central reserve or on a gantry giving messages and warnings, eg fog, accident, lane closed, leave at next exit, advisory speed limit, unless ythe latter is on a gantry and surrounded by red circle
20. can be either depends on the message, eg red circle round a speed limit, red cross or leave mororway next exit are mandatory I would reckon.
21. Only use hard shoulder in emergency or if directed to do so by official signs eg roadworks
22. Arrester beds (you wouldn’t believe how many goes it took to spell arrester
Must go She Who Must Be Obeyed Looms!
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 16th September 14:27
Edited later to add the following:
Now I've finished the painting can I have a go at the rest, promise not to cheat. Honest guv!
23: Not a phurkling clue!
24: crossover points
25: Nope
26: only for short time to warn following taffic of a problem ahead, AND DEFINITELY NOT WHEN BEING TOWED DUMMY!
27: guess 200m
28: DOH!
29: it allows you to tell the nice person where you are north or southbound
30: is it the extension number of the phone on the network? ie so you can get a call back to ask if you want vinegar on your chips while waiting for the RAC.
OK I'm getting silly now,
31: 100m absolute minimum. depends a bit on geography and speed limit I would guess.
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 16th September 17:37
1. clearway
2. 3.60m
3. 2.75m urban m-ways, 3.30 m rural m-ways
4. complete guess. Terrain between back of verge and the highway boundary.
Unless its that ribbed white line?
5. 4 white, orange, red, green
6. green
7. green
8. approx 1 mile, say approx because it can vary slightly with highway features eg on/off slip
9. local police control room
10. Armco
11. Pedestrians, provisional licence holders (all or only some? Have to look it up) m/c under 50cc, pedal cyclists, horse riders, animals generally, agricultural and invalid carriages, slow moving vehicles slower than 20mph? unless with permission and an escort), if any more I give up
12. 6.18m (new construction 6.45m)
13. lane closed ahead, proceed no further in this lane
14. as for passing a TL @ red ?? guess
15. variable message sign
16. 100m
17. 100 yds
18. 6 consisting of, 3 countdown markers, direction signs @ 1m. 1/2m and at jn
19. sign on the central reserve or on a gantry giving messages and warnings, eg fog, accident, lane closed, leave at next exit, advisory speed limit, unless ythe latter is on a gantry and surrounded by red circle
20. can be either depends on the message, eg red circle round a speed limit, red cross or leave mororway next exit are mandatory I would reckon.
21. Only use hard shoulder in emergency or if directed to do so by official signs eg roadworks
22. Arrester beds (you wouldn’t believe how many goes it took to spell arrester
Must go She Who Must Be Obeyed Looms!
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 16th September 14:27
Edited later to add the following:
Now I've finished the painting can I have a go at the rest, promise not to cheat. Honest guv!
23: Not a phurkling clue!
24: crossover points
25: Nope
26: only for short time to warn following taffic of a problem ahead, AND DEFINITELY NOT WHEN BEING TOWED DUMMY!
27: guess 200m
28: DOH!
29: it allows you to tell the nice person where you are north or southbound
30: is it the extension number of the phone on the network? ie so you can get a call back to ask if you want vinegar on your chips while waiting for the RAC.
OK I'm getting silly now,
31: 100m absolute minimum. depends a bit on geography and speed limit I would guess.
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Tuesday 16th September 17:37
madcop said:
MOTORWAYS
Taking a lead from Tonyrecs posts recently I thought that many of you drive many miles on motorways and was interested to find out the extent of knowledge.
Here are some simple questions about roads which we take for granted. What do you actually know?
OK here are some tongue in cheek answers
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
Mine, I own all of them as I pay for them so whatever I decide to call it.
2. How wide are the lanes?
Wide enough even for numpties
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
Not wide enough to stop numpties getting killed
4. What is the marginal strip?
the bit that shits you up when you fall asleep
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
3 normal ones then as many as like depending on which substance you last took
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
No I cant say the G word
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
RED
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
If car is working 1 mile if not miles.
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
Kin police so use your mobile!!! Numpty
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways
called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Nowhere near enough. The ideal would be buses, waggons, police vehicles, tractors, cars ending in 'o' Learners, tossers and politicians.
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
Who cares? Motorways are covered in crap anyway.
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
This is what you aim at
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
You crash into a police car.
15. What is a VMS?
Sounds like an STD
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
used to be 1 tenth of a mile but its all metric now
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
see 16 100 m or 100 yds
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
4 mostly but 0 in Liverpool
19. What is a matrix sign?
A waste of money
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
No it merely states the bleeding obvious to tossers
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
Yes especially if you are a police car and its tea time
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
Skid row
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
Means a biker fell off last week
24. What is an ECP?
a sign of life?
25. can you use and ECP?
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
Yes this denotes you are following a numpty in a taffic jam or 'bang' has happened and the whole shebang is coming to a halt due to inadequate planning and 30 years of neglect by successive incompetent politicians
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
see previous post, I personally rarely recommend stopping.
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
Cos Big brother is watching
30. What does this number mean?
Who cares?
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
bout 250yds but only if its a Volvo
I hope this is not seen as teaching people to suck eggs but in day to day business, I find it incredible that many people that I stop do not have the feintest idea about the road they are using. Answers on a post carD
Yay!! Another chance to prove my complete ignorance!!
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
3 lane dual carriageway
2. How wide are the lanes?
about 12 feet wide?
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
umm..10 feet wide?
4. What is the marginal strip?
bit between lane 3 and armco?
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
4
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
a mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
police control
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Bicycles, learner drivers, mopeds, bikes under 125, invalid carriages and steam rollers and stuff?
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
a bit taller than a really tall lorry
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
LAne closure ahead
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Same as running a red light, stop sign, give way sign etc...
15. What is a VMS?
If the v is "violent" i'd say it's like pms but worse...
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
see 15 above...about 21 days?
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
one of those signs you get every 2 miles?
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
advisory i thought...dunno
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
no
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
rumble strip
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
ecp warning
24. What is an ECP?
emergency crossover point
25. can you use and ECP?
nope
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
non - unless you're a bus driver and need assistance - da-daaaa!
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
lots...200 yards?
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
so the police can find you
30. What does this number mean?
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
i think it's 45m for some reason but can't remember for the life of me why...
Yet another thread that's left me depressed
1. What sort of road is a motorway classed as?
3 lane dual carriageway
2. How wide are the lanes?
about 12 feet wide?
3. How wide is the hard shoulder?
umm..10 feet wide?
4. What is the marginal strip?
bit between lane 3 and armco?
5. How many different colours of studs are there?
4
6. What colour studs denote an exit slip road adjacent to lane 1?
red
7. What colour studs denote an entry slip road adjacent to lane 1?
green
8. How far apart are the emergency phones?
a mile
9. Who do the emergency phones contact?
police control
10. What is the steel barrier between carriageways called (trade name)?
Armco
11. What vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Bicycles, learner drivers, mopeds, bikes under 125, invalid carriages and steam rollers and stuff?
12. What is the minimum requirement for a bridge height?
a bit taller than a really tall lorry
13. What does a flashing overhead gantry showing red lights and an X over a particular lane mean?
LAne closure ahead
14. What are the consequences for failing to comply with No.13?
Same as running a red light, stop sign, give way sign etc...
15. What is a VMS?
If the v is "violent" i'd say it's like pms but worse...
16. How far apart are the marker posts?
see 15 above...about 21 days?
17. How far apart are the countdown markers at the exit slip road?
100 yards
18. How many blue signs are erected prior to an exit?
3
19. What is a matrix sign?
one of those signs you get every 2 miles?
20. Is information given by a matrix sign compulsory?
advisory i thought...dunno
21. Can you drive on the hard shoulder?
no
22. What is the name of the gravel strip adjacent to the hard shoulder or the central reservation called?
rumble strip
23. Why are there on some central barriers, occasions where there are two orange reflectors followed 100 meters later by a single orange reflector?
ecp warning
24. What is an ECP?
emergency crossover point
25. can you use and ECP?
nope
26. Can you be in motion with hazard indicators showing?
non - unless you're a bus driver and need assistance - da-daaaa!
27. What is the recommended stopping distance when travelling at 100mph on a dry road?
lots...200 yards?
29. Why is there a number on each phone?
so the police can find you
30. What does this number mean?
31. How far behind the vehicle should you put a warning triangle when stopped in an emergency?
i think it's 45m for some reason but can't remember for the life of me why...
Yet another thread that's left me depressed
john_p said:
Is the ECP the proper name for the "authorised vehicle only" entrances/exits that you sometimes drive past, which are used to allow local emergency vehicles onto the motorway without having to go all the way to the nearest junction ?
Out of interest, how would they know if I used one of these? Do they have cameras?
No, they are different things altogether.
ECPs are known as Emergency Crossing Points. They are the small plastic posts that are pushed into the ground very close to each other at various points along the central reservation or to cover Poice only offslips and the like.
They are designed to fold down when you drive over them and then pop back up again. If you dont hit them at the correct angle they simply fall out over the road which is extremely dangerous.
I know that most of these are now getting replaced with Armoco now because they have been deemed to be too dangerous to use by the Highways Authority etc.
The other 'Police Only' exits/entry points that you are talking about are for use of both the Police and the Highway agency and are obviously used as short cuts to both get on and off the motorway.
3 points if you use them and are caught.Quite a few are monitored by CCTV and the like, the same as ECPs.
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