Ms Scarlett wrote:
Apologies for my absence, I've been away all weekend and was super busy yesterday at work. And I've already written all this once then accidentally deleted it!
Malcolmw, it's an interesting point you make about an alternative way for speed limits to be set but I have to say I think your solution is totally unworkable. Firstly it would take far too long and cost way too much to implement. Think of the time spent on each and every road up and down the country taking average speeds then taking a percentile of them. Secondly, wouldn't you potentially end up with different speed limits on streets that are right next to each other? Thirdly, wouldn't you have to review the situation constantly? wouldn't it be possible for street x to have a 30mph average speed this year, then 35mph next year?
I have to say that I think broadly speaking, most speed limits are about right. Motorways should have a higher limit though, who drives at 70mph?! There are a few roads near me that have been reduced from 60mph to 40mph or even 30mph which is really annoying though.
Ziltro, having real cops actually stopping people and discussing why their speeds are inappropriate probably would be more effective. As I've said, I'm all for that. Whatever stops the problem is fine with me.
I won't be posting the street name however as I don't publish RL info on the net, and especially not on forums. Sorry, you'll just have to take my word for it!
I can see that most of you think that I'm either exaggerating the speeds that people drive at and/or confusing speed with busyness. I don't suppose there's much I can say to convince you that people genuinely do drive at break neck speeds down my street other than to say I've been driving a long time and am confident I can tell when someone is exceeding 40mph or 50mph. Honestly the only time I ever notice the traffic noise on my street is when people drive really fast. The rest of the time, it's just background noise that doesn't bother me at all. It's only the idiots driving so fast that really p1ss me off, and who of course are potentially going to cause accidents. I'm surprised I haven't lost a wing mirror yet to be honest.
Well if you wanted to you can google earth your street (making sure that you turn off the street label option), then [Control] Printscreen (or PrtSc SysRq) (as in Print Screen Request) button on your computer (top right-ish) and then copy paste or [Control] 'V' to an image program (Paint Shop Pro) or others, then select the area of the street only (as the computer saved screen will show the location), save that and then post it up online and then put in a link to that here.
Then we can 'see' without knowing where, preferably the whole road in a few pictures if it is a long one, then we can at least better 'judge'.
You can PM me the general location if you felt that was secure, and I can promise you that I would.
As you are out all day as you say, but have lived in the area all your life I assume that you are generally aware of the average traffic situation.
It seems from the posts that you are really only talking about drivers that are either on the rat run to and from work - hence that you 'are aware of them more'.
Camera's & humps, do nothing for road safety, as our website will clearly points out. Nor will they solve your problem but will cause new problems. Camera effect the way in which people drive see
here. Cameras/humps, will not put people off, driving down your street, as of the road layout, and your (probably) correct assumptions, about the reason why people travel due to the awkward junction, need to be properly addressed.
Many traffic light systems are know to be on 'programmed control', that appears to be delaying traffic. Maybe the junction is being perhaps avioded because this isn't helping. There are many many reasons why the junction is an issue, and they need to be looked into and proper traffic flow issues addressed.
This forum is all for helping as much as possible, there are many very knowledgeable people that tread these forums
I agree that asking for Police presence on the street and having good research done locally would help in the long term which I assume is your true aim.
The local 'rogue' drivers will not be deterred by any camera and we do not agree with their use, as it distracts drivers eyes away from the road ahead, and as you say that many children in the local area, have not been taught how to use the roads properly, then this is a highly dangerous combination.
I would strongly urge that the Police are encouraged to help you tackle these rogue drivers, than have the council add to it's coffers and still have no resulting solution to your problem. Also the local schools should be approached for a parents/child road safety education, rapidly.
Even a ped crossing with flashing beacons maybe worth the council investing in.
It is very easy to blame all drivers, yet even in just a few posts, we have established, that we are looking at a small group of drivers that you believe are not driving responsibly.
I would suggest that perhaps asking the local cops too to run some driving technique classes, in the local vicinity may attract these drivers and so remind everyone of the importance of driving carefully.
making sure that there is good visibility on the road for people who are about, is important to help drivers visibility.
You also say that the park is further down the road, could drivers be slowing when they see a real or potential hazard? but perhaps that is not precisely outside your door (ish)?
With regard to the Motorcyclist, I would go and chat to him/her, and chat to them about the bike, and what causes the 'noise', perhaps they have a temporary problem and waiting for parts. I would be pretty miffed if someone just complained rather than approached me directly.
They are after all your nearby neighbours? Perhaps they are partly deaf and don't understand how it is upsetting you? perhaps they would do it less if they understood your feelings, after all would that then be a bit more tolerable? I believe in dealing with problems head on.
But I appreciate that now-a-days we are more taught, that other people maybe dangerous, so, we should not even trust one another, or even chat to one another. If you are unhappy take a friend with you.
Road Safety is very important and each alteration to a road system has repercussions.
I believe that education is a big key to getting this right. I would tend to start there.
Most young drivers need to gain experience and through experience and age we more appreciate the risks in life. Hence why it can be so hard to 'impart' this to young drivers. After all in the War if young men were too scared then we may not have won it !
So it remains a hard feat to educate this into new or young drivers.
However young drivers have sharper hearing and reactions (often) and this is on their side.
When you got run over (how awful for you), I am sure that the driver 'reacted', prior to impact (and braked), unless you were incredibly unlucky ? If you felt up to chatting about that we would happily open it up in a new topic, to discuss at length. By understand facts, we believe that we may improve.