Traffic Engineers/Speed Limits etc

[David's8]

I get the impression that road/traffic engineers really HATE motorists. Not only do they devise and build poor roundabout that (deliberately?) un-sight you as you approach causing people to either pull out not realising that the car they saw a few milliseconds ago looking as if it was going straight on has now decided to come around or else they break when not required causing accidents behind them from others who can see that the roundabout is clear. (There are several like that in my area).
I KNOW that they'll say "well you should come to a halt before proceeding and its all a lot safer" buts its bo##ocks. The greater risk comes from not having a clear view of the roundabout. Fact.

And now the to##ers are looking to implement 50 or 60 mph limits wherever they can for whatever excuse. The bridge across the Clyde at Erskine will have a 50mph limit when they have finished the interminable work on replacing the barriers protecting the supporting cables/tower structures. This is for all vehicles no matter what the difference in mass between them. So the 30tonne tipper truck will be the same as a Micra? wheres the logic in that? The barriers will be designed to deal with a certain impact speed and vehicle weight. why not use that info to inform the speed limits such that it is based on real risk arguments!Keep the trucks to 30mph (or whatever), limit them to the one lane and let the cars go at 60 or 70mph.

And another thing, the M1 will have a stretch of 35 miles or so with a limit of 60mph. For environmental reasons.
The A9 - a notoriously dangerous road - will have a 50mph limit ALL ALONG ITS LENGTH as the government wont put money into dualling it all in a reasonable timescale. That'll make it MUCH safer, i dont think - all the caravans, trucks and cars bumbling along in an everlasting queue. They have effectively banned overtaking. When it gets to the dual carriage sections every body including the trucks will be attempting to overtake everybody else. Once again - a load of bo##ocks.

[The_Laird]

I can name some the roundabouts that David mentions where you're completely unsighted by huge great chevron signs. I cross at least 2 of them 5 days a week.

You also missed the almost impossible lanes mapped out on some roundabouts, where the traffic engineers clearly never tried to navigate them. And exceptionally narrow lanes on roundabouts where the white lines are allowed to become worn to invisibility.

And my favourite, the dual speed limit (HGVs at 40 and others at 60) on the average speed camera controlled, single lane section of the A77 south of Ayr. It just begs car drivers to risk all to overtake the 40mph truck on a difficult road.

There will be a meeting for the Helensburgh branch of the grumpy old mens club on Tuesday next week.

[PsYcHe]

They've actively started putting barriers up so you can't see the approaching traffic on existing roundabouts now...

Arses!

[Dezzy]

Ooow someone's tired! Ha ha. It's normally me going off on one. Something to do with the solar storm maybe?

It's not just Scotland either have a look at this one, a fence erected to stop you from seeing. You're not allowed to park within 15M of a junction so how can it be legal to purposely obscure the view?

This is taken from Google maps so you can imagine what it's like when not stood on the roof of the car

[tonupkid]

Yep. We have fences to obscure the view on some nearby traffic islands.
We also have a dual carriageway (A38) where bikers meet every week and a few of them go off and kill themselves on this road.
Solution... average speed cameras - Great you think, but no. The w~nkers have also reduced the speed limit to 60 as well. For FS why.

The M42 has variable speed limits. Sometimes youre given 60mph. Next gantry 40, next one 50, then next 40, 60, or 70 or whatever the idiot on the button jabs in. Result - drivers are continually peering ahead to ensure they don't exceed whatever random speed it posted. If you do - points and a fine. Is this really safer?

[David's8]

To be honest I can see the point of variable limits as I can see that when obeyed they keep the traffic moving and avoid racing to the next queue, stop-start. They would be excellent on the Edinburgh by-pass/M8 area where there are some fixed 50mph limits which normally are clear and would justify the 70mph limit but which sometimes are choke points and would justify a 50 or even 40mph limit to keep the traffic flowing. As it is they just act as toll roads with the charges being extracted from the unwary!

And yes, Dezzy, I was going off on one. Something to do with driving my daughter's Hyundai i20 around those very roundabouts and across the Erskine bridge whilst the 8 was in for an expensive lightbulb change...

My doctor says I'll be alright as long as I keep taking the medication.

[briang9]

good effort on the rant factor of the original post David, perfect 10 I would say

[David's8]

Originally Posted by briang9

good effort on the rant factor of the original post David, perfect 10 I would say

Thank you Brian - I feel a lot better today

[Conquistador]

A few in Essex too. This one in Colchester is particularly nasty:



The screens were only been erected a couple of years ago. The flow of traffic would surely be smoother without such visual obstructions as you have to slow to about 10mph to get a perfect view of the oncoming traffic at the last moment after the final screen, then have to make the split-second decision of either going for it (potentially pulling out in front of another vehicle) or slamming on the brakes (potentially having another vehicle slam into the back of you).

[HPsauce]

Does anyone "in the trade" know what they're actually for?
e.g. Are they to reduce dazzle at night or to actually obstruct your view?