tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post6881640706748572671..comments2023-07-10T10:57:18.522+01:00Comments on The Magistrates' Blog: Foot Down (and The Boy Who Cried Wolf)Bystander http://www.blogger.com/profile/10211688955428527960noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-16628818327725105932012-05-27T15:03:00.958+01:002012-05-27T15:03:00.958+01:00Bring back the Red Flag Act. Of course it would ha...Bring back the Red Flag Act. Of course it would have to allow for a woman instead of a man to carry the flag, or perhaps (who shall cll me sexist?) one of each.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-45414047221695236162012-05-25T23:00:48.338+01:002012-05-25T23:00:48.338+01:00I keep expecting to see one that reads "ALWAY...I keep expecting to see one that reads "ALWAYS WEAR A VEST"snaprailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05518492840448577403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-21886818985410983182012-05-18T18:27:39.329+01:002012-05-18T18:27:39.329+01:00Driving north on the A1 near the junction with the...Driving north on the A1 near the junction with the A14, the sign regularly says Grantham 46 miles, 45 minutes. Even though the roundabouts have been replaced with a superb range of tunnels and flyovers, I have never ever been able to do this. My problem is I drive when others are allowed access to the road (cars, lorries, workmen, cone layers.<br /><br />As to 80mph and speedos - I have had my cars' speedo's calibrated professionally (don't ask why) and all were in any case within 3 mph anyway.rex_imperatornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-64263237175312230032012-05-16T14:38:38.192+01:002012-05-16T14:38:38.192+01:00Does driving at 20 really generate lower pollution...Does driving at 20 really generate lower pollution than 30? Some of the stuff I've seen says not - particularly if you're in stop/start mode over speed bumps.PaulGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-43307962832747486332012-05-15T20:41:02.981+01:002012-05-15T20:41:02.981+01:00The distance converter on my laptop gives 81.25mph...The distance converter on my laptop gives 81.25mph as equal to 130.759kph, and the reverse conversion of 130kph = 80.77mph as I quoted earlier. Given the tiny differences I guess that in the real world, as opposed to the mathematical one, the two speeds 130kph and 80mph are equivalent. Traffic volumes in the English part of the UK at least are far higher than on most European motorways.Ian Hurdleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322290011259357106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-10631965844645397942012-05-15T20:20:55.482+01:002012-05-15T20:20:55.482+01:00Could 'Man on the Village Green' please li...Could 'Man on the Village Green' please list these countries with a lower limit than the UK and their length in kms. From my investigations the lowest would seem to be Norway at 90kph (55 mph) in which case one wonders why they bother spending money on them at all.<br />Here is my list: -<br /><br />Countries with 130 kph (81.25 mph): -<br />Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, with Poland at 140 kph (87.5 mph), Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia <br /> <br />Countries with 120 kph (75 mph)<br />Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Netherlands (130 on some motorways), Portugal, Spain, Switzerland.<br /> <br />Countries with 110 kph (68.75 mph)<br />Norway at 90 kph. with ourselves at 112 kph<br /> <br />I can't see the rest of the EU having any significant kms of motorway. I may be wrong, however. <br /><br />My point remains valid, namely the majority of kms of European EU) motorway, have a limit, mandatory OR advisory, of 130 kph. Perhaps he wants us to use the Norway motorway limit instead. Is Denmark now dangerous having raised their limit ? <br /><br />And Yes, I have passed French police enforcing their 130 limit. I was not fined or stopped.Frasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-27400837825927432042012-05-15T18:53:20.323+01:002012-05-15T18:53:20.323+01:00"CHECK YOUR FUEL"
"BE A COURTEOUS ..."CHECK YOUR FUEL"<br /><br />"BE A COURTEOUS DRIVER"<br /><br />Brilliant.Hibbonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-58728541252914594272012-05-15T15:53:44.993+01:002012-05-15T15:53:44.993+01:00I think that there's something wrong with your...I think that there's something wrong with your Nissan. My 5 year old Mazda RX-8 and my 3 year old Yamaha FZ6 both provide near as damn it to spot on readings. I spent Sunday touring the Surrey roads with their motorcycle police and they told me that their standard patrol cars are calibrated every year or so and despite ultra high mileages still return readings that are accurate to within 2MPH.<br /><br />David W, it occurs to me that a speed limit of 60MPH on a well lit motorway at night is a bit pointless. If I may suggest, there are less cars, lorries, bikes and people about in the middle of the night so maybe it would be sensible to increase the night time limit if we were to have a day/night limit.Defence Briefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06385869501459309601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-87923711936274984462012-05-15T10:06:00.033+01:002012-05-15T10:06:00.033+01:00Would that be Richard Hammond, lunatics having bee...Would that be Richard Hammond, lunatics having been put in charge of the asylum? On the other hand, I think Philip Hammond is more concerned with the speed of aircraft and aircraft carriers nowadays.AlsoJPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-86780445907051179742012-05-15T09:38:07.455+01:002012-05-15T09:38:07.455+01:0080mph is only less than 130kmh by a margin o 0.77m...80mph is only less than 130kmh by a margin o 0.77mph, so hardly significant. Here in Spain the limit is 120kmh (74.56mph), but the motorway driving experience is a whole world apart. Traffic volumes except on the orbital sections near cities during the rush hours are uniformly pretty low, and even with rush hour on urban stetches rarely achieve UK densities and then only for short periods.<br />When I first arrived to live here, limits were pretty much ignored both on motorways and off, but the introduction of a penalty points system, a fines regime which is constructed entirely on the basis of the percentage excess speed and not at all on the ability to pay, coupled with greatly increased enforcement by Tráfico, most people now drive within the posted limits (except, interestingly BS, those in Audis). Oh and despite the protestations of many of your readers, an accompnying benefit has been a dramatic reduction in road accidents, especially fatalities.Ian Hurdleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322290011259357106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-87728111183057982852012-05-15T08:42:29.522+01:002012-05-15T08:42:29.522+01:00With regard to speed limiters - 3.5 tonne vans are...With regard to speed limiters - 3.5 tonne vans are already subject to the speed limiter regs (56 mph). Most of the speeding vans you see, such as Sprinters, are plated at 3.49 tonnes gvw and thus exempt the regs as well as the Operator's Licensing regs. If you want to legislate for these, what weight do you go down to? You would probably have to include all vans. Is this practicable?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-45022749460087293942012-05-14T23:09:48.336+01:002012-05-14T23:09:48.336+01:00Where Europe begins and ends is not only a highly ...Where Europe begins and ends is not only a highly political question, but quite a tricky geographical one too. But if we stick to just the current EU (and exclude therefore Norway), no fewer than six Member States have motorway limits of 120kmh or less, and that omits those countries that don't have any motorways. Several have limits below the UK, and many apply an automatic 20kmh reduction in the event of rain which, if applied in the UK, would mean pretty much permanently lower speeds! In addition, the majority apply much lower limits on dual carriageways, and this message does seem to have got through to the Jeremy C lobby. Lastly, as regards 10% + 2, in the Thames Valley area, official guidance indicates that 99mph on a m'way leaves one eligible for a fixed penalty, with similar excesses applying at other regulated speeds.Man on the Village Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420025319687905046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-88545858035562697022012-05-14T21:47:46.904+01:002012-05-14T21:47:46.904+01:00There has been a more recent announcement (last Th...There has been a more recent announcement (last Thursday - but first reported in most media outlets today 14 May) by Hammond confirming that, despite the results of research by road safety charities suggesting that increasing the limit would have a disproportionately adverse effect on road casualties, he was going to press ahead with trials in selected areas. The other factor not always mentioned is that the increase in motorway speed limits will be offset by a reduction to 20mph In urban areas, in an attempt to finally address the dramatic "exceedences" of the EU "Daughter Directive" limits for NOx and particulate matter, where the UK has failed signally to take action to date to address the problems in terms of public health impacts, which result in many more deaths than those caused by road traffic accidents.Man on the Village Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420025319687905046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-13131682838030808982012-05-14T21:00:23.901+01:002012-05-14T21:00:23.901+01:00The majority of motorway kms in Europe, (y'kn...The majority of motorway kms in Europe, (y'know, those funny countries across the Channel) are set at 130 kph, (=81 mph approx). Britain is the slowest apart from Norway. German autobahns (motorways) DO have 130 or less limits along certain sections plus a recommended limit of 130 kph everywhere. I have found few people going over the 130 whilst driving around Europe. The Danes increased their limit to 130 a few years ago without any ill effects. I didnt feel at risk on the autobahns or anywhere for that matter, apart from Italy, (also 130), where the drivers are all complete headbangers. I have never seen such bad driving anywhere in Europe and am puzzled as to why any Italian men are still left alive. So it is not speed in my humble opinion, but attitude. Roll on the increase to 80 mph, still less than the 130 kph in most of Europe. If/when it's 80- mph, policing will need to be a bit more rigorous than the 10% plus 2 figure though.Frasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-7676489879543801522012-05-14T20:22:14.292+01:002012-05-14T20:22:14.292+01:00"One that always drives me mad is 'Queuei..."One that always drives me mad is 'Queueing traffic'. Usually I have lots of time to contemplate that one, becuse by the time I get to it I'm stuck in a queue"<br /><br />The sign usually says "Queue after next junction". I find that's an instruction, not a warning.Pataphysiciannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-28440946018735673002012-05-14T17:25:27.681+01:002012-05-14T17:25:27.681+01:00One that always drives me mad is 'Queueing tra...One that always drives me mad is 'Queueing traffic'. Usually I have lots of time to contemplate that one, becuse by the time I get to it I'm stuck in a queueAndrew McGeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-62486409470324075382012-05-14T16:55:28.450+01:002012-05-14T16:55:28.450+01:00Cutting it a bit fine with UK motorway traffic vol...Cutting it a bit fine with UK motorway traffic volumes, if you ask me.Ian Hurdleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322290011259357106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-56670087880345595162012-05-14T16:22:08.501+01:002012-05-14T16:22:08.501+01:00Sorry! "different" not "difficult&...Sorry! "different" not "difficult"David Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-53795137322930178422012-05-14T16:20:01.615+01:002012-05-14T16:20:01.615+01:00Your second paragraph identifies a serious failing...Your second paragraph identifies a serious failing which is not addressed by the Highway Code: that of very difficult vehicle types sharing the same road. Perhaps we should have a daytime upper limit of 80mph combined with a minimum of 60. Then at night have a maximum of 60.David Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-23803663901743186482012-05-14T16:16:00.466+01:002012-05-14T16:16:00.466+01:00I think the majority of cars wouldn't be quite...I think the majority of cars wouldn't be quite so inaccurate, most will be in the 2-3 mph range.<br /><br />A lot of people now drive at or around 60mph because it's more fuel efficient (I believe up to 25% more than driving at 70mph) and doesn't make a huge amount of time difference on the majority of journeys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-80850466673441003462012-05-14T15:47:06.776+01:002012-05-14T15:47:06.776+01:00And the worst use? Driving home from Scotland in A...And the worst use? Driving home from Scotland in April appalling weather - fog, rain and spray - and the best that the overhead message gantries at the northern end of the M1 could come up with was "Olympic Games - plan your journey and arrive in good time", 200 miles and three months away from the event...north bucks jpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-23583271756913556012012-05-14T13:23:16.586+01:002012-05-14T13:23:16.586+01:00The problem with these technological convictions i...The problem with these technological convictions is that if one day someone DOES prove that a GATSO or other type-approved device can go seriously wrong the number of unsafe convictions will be enormous. <br /><br />And my peeve of the day: there is a big ATS-controlled junction on my commute to work. Currently due to roadworks one turning option is blocked off, but the lights have not been reprogrammed so all last week drivers had to wait in roadworks while the lights gave a 20 second green to lanes no-one could drive on! Hours of driver time could have been saved if someone had taken ten minutes out of their busy day to switch off that phase of the lights.Nationalisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00298563601180545788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-42694247181266753412012-05-14T11:26:38.900+01:002012-05-14T11:26:38.900+01:002nd try :-
Best use of those signs I ever saw :-
...2nd try :-<br /><br />Best use of those signs I ever saw :-<br /><br />" NUMBER PLATE stop! You lost your trailer!"Eunoiahttp://www.savory.de/blog.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-39776696682781442342012-05-14T11:25:11.694+01:002012-05-14T11:25:11.694+01:00Best use of those signs I ever saw :-
" stop...Best use of those signs I ever saw :-<br /><br />" stop. You lost your trailer!"Eunoiahttp://www.savory.de/blog.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-70991891699242937632012-05-14T11:05:39.400+01:002012-05-14T11:05:39.400+01:00Totally agree on matrix signs. Ludicrously OTT war...Totally agree on matrix signs. Ludicrously OTT warnings and usually wrong and therefore totally ignored. <br /><br />I note in the last Highways Agency Annual Report that they achieved their own target on <br />"Deliver a high level of road user satisfaction". <br />Words fail me.Alexnoreply@blogger.com