Another typical "slander" on speed
Discussion
Local newspaper (Farnham Herald)reports a proposal to reduce the speed limit on the A31 between the Coxbridge roundabout and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout [sic] from 60 to 50 ... following a number of accidents including two fatals in which allegedly speed was a contributary factor.
Firstly, there are no 60mph limits on that stretch of road. It is dual carriageway, so NSL is 70mph, except a stretch around Hinkley's Corner traffic signals where it is 50.
Secondly, regarding the two fatal accidents: one involved a pedestrian who crossed against the pedestrian lights at Hinkley's Corner whilst apparently texting on her cellular telephone and was struck by an on-coming car; the other involved a lorry which crossed the central reservation by the Shepherd and Flock circulatory system (no barrier) and collided with a small car killing the driver of the car.
In the first of these cases, the estimated speed of the vehicle which hit the pedestrian was 40mph - and at the time the speed limit on that stretch was 70mph. No-one can claim excessive speed. The speed was less than the now current limit (50) at that point. This collision does NOT support a case for reducing other speed limits on this road.
In the second case, the lorry might well have been travelling at an inappropriate speed for the curve it was taking. However, there has NEVER been a suggestion that the lorry was travelling in excess of the speed limit applicable (NSL - for type of vehicle). Once aagain, this does NOT support a case for reducing the speed limit at this point. Anyway, since that collision the road markings have changed at this point ... but (IMHO) for the worse!
There is NO suggestion to erect a BARRIER at this point (or along the dual carriageway where it is not already barriered ... which it is along about 1/2 of the 50 stretch BTW).
Bloody typical!
Streaky
Firstly, there are no 60mph limits on that stretch of road. It is dual carriageway, so NSL is 70mph, except a stretch around Hinkley's Corner traffic signals where it is 50.
Secondly, regarding the two fatal accidents: one involved a pedestrian who crossed against the pedestrian lights at Hinkley's Corner whilst apparently texting on her cellular telephone and was struck by an on-coming car; the other involved a lorry which crossed the central reservation by the Shepherd and Flock circulatory system (no barrier) and collided with a small car killing the driver of the car.
In the first of these cases, the estimated speed of the vehicle which hit the pedestrian was 40mph - and at the time the speed limit on that stretch was 70mph. No-one can claim excessive speed. The speed was less than the now current limit (50) at that point. This collision does NOT support a case for reducing other speed limits on this road.
In the second case, the lorry might well have been travelling at an inappropriate speed for the curve it was taking. However, there has NEVER been a suggestion that the lorry was travelling in excess of the speed limit applicable (NSL - for type of vehicle). Once aagain, this does NOT support a case for reducing the speed limit at this point. Anyway, since that collision the road markings have changed at this point ... but (IMHO) for the worse!
There is NO suggestion to erect a BARRIER at this point (or along the dual carriageway where it is not already barriered ... which it is along about 1/2 of the 50 stretch BTW).
Bloody typical!
Streaky
Write to your local papers. Object formally when they attempt to lower the speed limit - the ABD can tell you how. Arrange for yourself and your local ABD representative to attend their public meetings about it and make sure that the facts are well known.
Express concern that the measures that they are taking aren't addressing the actual problem on that road. You can make yourself a local road safety hero - and they'll have to listen.
Of course, they may lower the limit anyway - even though it won't change a thing - but at least it won't have been your fault.
I am in the process of doing some of these things myself in my locality.
Express concern that the measures that they are taking aren't addressing the actual problem on that road. You can make yourself a local road safety hero - and they'll have to listen.
Of course, they may lower the limit anyway - even though it won't change a thing - but at least it won't have been your fault.
I am in the process of doing some of these things myself in my locality.
It's amazing isn't it how simple-minded some people can be in coming up with a knee-jerk reaction by imposing a reduced speed limit because of a couple of accidents. It's as if they have to be seen to be doing something.
No such reaction is taken, for example, to the thousands of deaths a year in the home (falling off ladders etc). Sometimes accidents just happen but of course it's not politically correct to accept that accidents just happen and that there is very often nothing you can do about them.
No such reaction is taken, for example, to the thousands of deaths a year in the home (falling off ladders etc). Sometimes accidents just happen but of course it's not politically correct to accept that accidents just happen and that there is very often nothing you can do about them.
There's been a couple of stupid speed limits put up round me this last month. No public meetings etc AFAIK. Will read the ABD site to see if there's anything I can do.
One of them is a 30 limit that is about 20 meters long! WFT is that all about? Not be long before it's a blanket 40 everywhere here
One of them is a 30 limit that is about 20 meters long! WFT is that all about? Not be long before it's a blanket 40 everywhere here
dnb said:Probably meeting sokme target for percentage of roads reduced to 30mph
There's been a couple of stupid speed limits put up round me this last month. No public meetings etc AFAIK. Will read the ABD site to see if there's anything I can do.
One of them is a 30 limit that is about 20 meters long! WFT is that all about? Not be long before it's a blanket 40 everywhere here
... rather like the two yard strip of green cycle-lane painted across the centre reservation of the A31 at Hinkley's Corner (Farnham, Surrey) 
- StreakyNow I've discovered a length of quite good road has been reduced to 50 from national limit. I don't remember there being any consultation, but then it's not a trunk road...
Is there anything that can be done after-the-fact?
Any advice would be very helpful - I'm not well read in legal matters.
Is there anything that can be done after-the-fact?
Any advice would be very helpful - I'm not well read in legal matters.
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