Road Signs that are ignored
Discussion
On the A11 travelling south, just east of Cambridge there have been temporary speed limit signs for many months (maybe even years?) that are now completely ignored by 95% of drivers.
The reason for the reduction (which is 40 at its lowest) is that there is a problem involving the central barrier but, strangely, the opposite carriageway is unchanged.
I think regular users of the road see no roadworks, obvious problems or speed enforcement, so, long ago, gave up taking any notice of the signage.
I tend to stick more or less to the posted limits along with a very few others, convincing myself that one day there might be a camera van and then I wouldn’t look so stupid (but those caught 80/40 might be struggling a bit).
What do others here do in similar situations?
Incidentally I think there is a wider point here that this sort of thing erodes respect for signage in general.
The reason for the reduction (which is 40 at its lowest) is that there is a problem involving the central barrier but, strangely, the opposite carriageway is unchanged.
I think regular users of the road see no roadworks, obvious problems or speed enforcement, so, long ago, gave up taking any notice of the signage.
I tend to stick more or less to the posted limits along with a very few others, convincing myself that one day there might be a camera van and then I wouldn’t look so stupid (but those caught 80/40 might be struggling a bit).
What do others here do in similar situations?
Incidentally I think there is a wider point here that this sort of thing erodes respect for signage in general.
I know the stretch the OP is referring to, used it just last Thursday but regularly travel this section and it must be over 2 years now since those signs were erected?
I'll openly admit to slowing only to 60 - below this HGVs will catch you up and sit on your bumper which is quite unnerving! 40mph on the other hand seems to be a bit of an overreaction to what must surely be a minor issue with barriers, when you consider the miles on miles of NSL B-roads we have which have no barrier at all!
I'll openly admit to slowing only to 60 - below this HGVs will catch you up and sit on your bumper which is quite unnerving! 40mph on the other hand seems to be a bit of an overreaction to what must surely be a minor issue with barriers, when you consider the miles on miles of NSL B-roads we have which have no barrier at all!
I have seen a few recently.
I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
Pica-Pica said:
I have seen a few recently.
I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
Although the reasoning seems sound, subsequent treatment of these stretches (which as C.A.R. confirms can be there for two or more years) does not seem to be well thought out. I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
The A11 stretch mentioned is part of a major route, so presumably the local constabulary, highways authority etc. are well aware that the limits are ignored by the regular users. They must also know that visitors to the area and people who routinely obey any posted limit are likely to cause huge speed differentials.
If the risk (caused by the barrier) is high then they should surely enforce the speed limit. If not then it would be sensible to remove the speed limit to avoid the created risk.
Foss62 said:
Pica-Pica said:
I have seen a few recently.
I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
Although the reasoning seems sound, subsequent treatment of these stretches (which as C.A.R. confirms can be there for two or more years) does not seem to be well thought out. I believe they are mostly for central barriers, awaiting repairs, that will not perform to their original intent, and thus will not offer their full protection if struck. So that makes sense. Funnily enough, my wife said that these reduced limits should explain why, and then the next minute we come across a 40mph limit with the central barrier comment.
The A11 stretch mentioned is part of a major route, so presumably the local constabulary, highways authority etc. are well aware that the limits are ignored by the regular users. They must also know that visitors to the area and people who routinely obey any posted limit are likely to cause huge speed differentials.
If the risk (caused by the barrier) is high then they should surely enforce the speed limit. If not then it would be sensible to remove the speed limit to avoid the created risk.
Over over under steer said:
A21, between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks has a 50 mph temporary sign in place for about 3/4 mile. It has been there for a few years now and is generally completely ignored.
I don't pay attention to it, however it can slow traffic down as some do.
Used that several times over the last year, mainly in the evening and I have slowed down along with most other vehicles. A few crack on in the rhd lane, but not many when I've been on it.I don't pay attention to it, however it can slow traffic down as some do.
Thesprucegoose said:
M4cruiser said:
It's a grey area, because it has a red border, but it's on private land.
i thought 20mph was least legal speed limit, so any sign like this is advisory only, therefore be ignored.UNECE reg. 39
That photo looks like "Asda" Chandlers Ford?
We have the same for about 600m on the M27 slowed to a 50 MPH limit both ways, at one point it is 4 lanes wide, When i reduce to 50, i feel very vulnerable as almost everyone else ignores it, they know there are no camera's.....but there might be one day
"Keeping up with the flow of traffic" feels safer, but will cut no dice if your in court
We have the same for about 600m on the M27 slowed to a 50 MPH limit both ways, at one point it is 4 lanes wide, When i reduce to 50, i feel very vulnerable as almost everyone else ignores it, they know there are no camera's.....but there might be one day
"Keeping up with the flow of traffic" feels safer, but will cut no dice if your in court
watchnut said:
That photo looks like "Asda" Chandlers Ford?
We have the same for about 600m on the M27 slowed to a 50 MPH limit both ways, at one point it is 4 lanes wide, When i reduce to 50, i feel very vulnerable as almost everyone else ignores it, they know there are no camera's.....but there might be one day
"Keeping up with the flow of traffic" feels safer, but will cut no dice if your in court
So-called Asda or actual Asda?We have the same for about 600m on the M27 slowed to a 50 MPH limit both ways, at one point it is 4 lanes wide, When i reduce to 50, i feel very vulnerable as almost everyone else ignores it, they know there are no camera's.....but there might be one day
"Keeping up with the flow of traffic" feels safer, but will cut no dice if your in court
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