Kent Crash

[Bernie174]

Ricardodaforce

You are on a false premise.

Comparing fatalities would need to compare 2 like things. For example, there is no speed limit on some German Autobahns. Logic therefore dictates that an accident on them at high speed may not be survivable, but a similar accident at the lower speeds on UK Motorways would be, simply due to the limits a human being can withstand.

It's also not a reflection on driving standards its an example of the result of the stupidity.

Again though, the fact remains that saying the UK is better than elsewhere, ergo we should do nothing to improve it is not a valid argument.

I do 100 miles a day on motorways, and the driving standards are appalling. Yes, I am qualified to assess them. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact I have little option but to use motorways, I wouldn't, simply because the driving by most users is so bad.

You can regard the UK as Europe, however, many of us do not, thats a different discussion though.

 

[norters]

Have I missed something? Has the uk floated off to the middle of the Atlantic? Surely the uk is still in Europe. Surely??

 

[nilagin]

Recently it was reported that over 14,000 drivers had been caught speeding through the roadworks 50mph restricted zone in 6 months wth one clocked at 137mph and many at 100-125mph. So 14,000 drivers who feel so important that their needs outweigh the safety of other drivers and those workers rebuilding the highway.


Steve

I wonder what percentage of that 14,000 were caught whilst there were actually any workmen there anyway. Cones and speed restrictions in place 24/7 when there's no need.

 

[Ricardodaforce]

Have I missed something? Has the uk floated off to the middle of the Atlantic? Surely the uk is still in Europe. Surely??

It's just not worth it sometimes is it?

 

[arclight]

Ricardodaforce

You are on a false premise.

Comparing fatalities would need to compare 2 like things. For example, there is no speed limit on some German Autobahns. Logic therefore dictates that an accident on them at high speed may not be survivable, but a similar accident at the lower speeds on UK Motorways would be, simply due to the limits a human being can withstand.

It's also not a reflection on driving standards its an example of the result of the stupidity.

Again though, the fact remains that saying the UK is better than elsewhere, ergo we should do nothing to improve it is not a valid argument.

I do 100 miles a day on motorways, and the driving standards are appalling. Yes, I am qualified to assess them. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact I have little option but to use motorways, I wouldn't, simply because the driving by most users is so bad.

You can regard the UK as Europe, however, many of us do not, thats a different discussion though.

Agreed - one thing I see numerous times every day is how come drivers come to the decision that it is OK to signal RIGHT (or not signal at all) when turning left off a roundabout. That defies all logic and suggests a total misconception of road sense.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I wonder what percentage of that 14,000 were caught whilst there were actually any workmen there anyway. Cones and speed restrictions in place 24/7 when there's no need.

Not in this case

Massive working lasting years with mega £££££ costs.

Look it up.

In any case it includes lane narrowing and moving diversions amongst other dynamics

I take it you feel it OK to speed if workmen are not there, irrespective of the scale of work, changing layouts, removed lining....?

This working is not just cones being laid out daily, and judt put away at night!

As for the morons ignoring the 50mph by nearly an extra 60-80 mph over that limit in dangerous road conditions, perhaps a court ordering them to be used as crash test dummies would be the most suitable outcome from the courts...

S

 

[nilagin]

I take it you feel it OK to speed if workmen are not there, irrespective of the scale of work, changing layouts, removed lining....?

This working is not just cones being laid out daily, and judt put away at night!

A lot of cones get left out because they can't be bothered to put them away and replace them when work is to resume.

There's sections of the M25 that have been or are being widened to 4 lanes, at times there is no work being done and there can be 10 miles or more stretches of motorway restricted to 50mph when it isn't necessary.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

A lot of cones get left out because they can't be bothered to put them away and replace them when work is to resume.

There's sections of the M25 that have been or are being widened to 4 lanes, at times there is no work being done and there can be 10 miles or more stretches of motorway restricted to 50mph when it isn't necessary.

So by putting them away daily we as drivers will be happy being delayed while they are safely moved and then again safely laid out as per work schedule. That areas whee work is ongoing and may be protecting weakened sub strata and drainage etc. Add to that the added costs for lost time preparing the work area daily? Our taxes again for very little benefit.

It is too easy to make assumptions but as an environmental consultant I worked with the then DETR now Depaertment for Transport, with the Highways Agency. I made the same cooments as you and in the course of 3 months I had my mind changed. Yes there will be some that look like nothing is going on but on one are the contractors could not do any work for 3 weeks due to a sub surface river being diverted by an old mine shaft collapse. You cannot relay a surface when its foundations are weakening from a river flowing through them.

Isn't nature wonderful.

Yes I too still get annoyed sometimes but hey it's life.

S

 

[nilagin]

Fair point Steve, I just found it annoying on two recent occasions of using the M25 where it blends with the M26 and found cones and speed restrictions on areas that were already finished, yet drove for several miles before actually reaching the area where work was actually being carried out, totally unnecessary.
Also back in the 80's whilst driving practically every weekend up the M11 from the A12 to the A414, sections would be coned off for no apparent reason, no sign of work being done or even been done for that matter.
What really p'd me off was the number of times on the way home from work on a late shift, I've taken the slip road off the A13 to go onto the M25 and then find the M25 slip road coned off, why they couldn't pre-warn people on the A13 is beyond me. Could never fathom why the slip road was shut neither as following day, yet again, no signs of any work having been carried out.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Fair point Steve, I just found it annoying on two recent occasions of using the M25 where it blends with the M26 and found cones and speed restrictions on areas that were already finished, yet drove for several miles before actually reaching the area where work was actually being carried out, totally unnecessary.
Also back in the 80's whilst driving practically every weekend up the M11 from the A12 to the A414, sections would be coned off for no apparent reason, no sign of work being done or even been done for that matter.
What really p'd me off was the number of times on the way home from work on a late shift, I've taken the slip road off the A13 to go onto the M25 and then find the M25 slip road coned off, why they couldn't pre-warn people on the A13 is beyond me. Could never fathom why the slip road was shut neither as following day, yet again, no signs of any work having been carried out.

You and I may have been in the same hold ups.

I lived at Chigwell mid 80s till the early 90s so ran into all sorts of weirdness. I think, at times, the road planners were experimentiing with traffic flows and chokes. All done on computers now.

But all the roads you mention were part of my plot! Well remenber the widening of the A406 NCR through Walthamstow, Edmonton, A10 interchange and Palmers Green - nightmare.

Fun days :-(

S