Nanny State - glimmer of hope?

[Flyfisher]

I was pleased to read this article about a decision to de-clutter our environment and spare us all from unnecessary signage. I hope it catches on and wish the government would take notice and reverse its legislation regarding all the non-smoking signs now littering everywhere.

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100200500d005


http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.8682

 

[biffvernon]

Yes, my lane (13 cars, on market day) has a sign warning motorists, in case they hadn't noticed, that there is no pedestrian footpath. There isn't a path till you reach town 10 miled away.

 

[Penners]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_space

 

[Flyfisher]

Sadly, I suspect the government's apparent predilection for micro-managing everything and everyone will count against such a philosophy, despite the positive results in the real world.

Having the appropriate environmental 'cues' can have surprisingly positive results. In the USA, crossroads with no lights typically have a 'Stop' sign and all drivers are required to stop before crossing. Where other traffic is present, the protocol is for cars to cross or turn one at a time, which is widely understood and works very well. A beneficial side effect of this is that when the lights fail at a controlled crossing, drivers revert to the 'Stop' sign protocol and everything continues to run smoothly.

In the UK, traffic light failures cause chaos because motorists have no 'fallback' behaviour and it becomes a free-for-all.

 

[Nemesis]

There is some experimentation happening regarding removal of traffic lights.

 

[Ian Bond]

There is some experimentation happening regarding removal of traffic lights.

It seems to me that a large number of drivers are already taking part in the experiment, by simply ignoring the lights.

Particularly when it comes to pedestrian crossings!!!!

 

[skier-hughes]

In the UK, traffic light failures cause chaos because motorists have no 'fallback' behaviour and it becomes a free-for-all.

To be honest I've found the opposite to be true, than when lights do fail people take there time through and are good at letting others through, in fact by us there is one set of lights which is a nightmare, the other day when they failed there was only a very small queue instead of the normal 1/2 mile tailback

 

[Flyfisher]

There is some experimentation happening regarding removal of traffic lights.

It seems to me that a large number of drivers are already taking part in the experiment, by simply ignoring the lights.

Particularly when it comes to pedestrian crossings!!!!

I thought that was mainly cyclists!

 

[Ian Bond]

No - the cyclists round here are all riding on the pavement!

(can't say I blame em with the nutters on the road!!!)

 

[Moo]

Here in Norfolk they have a special way with signs.

The favourite is the one that directs you to Little Ploddington (your destination), takes you into the depths of the countryside via lots of winding lanes and crossroads and then brings you to a T-junction. Where, of course, there is no mention of Little Ploddington.

Another good'un is the succession of 30mph signs along a fairly straight country road and then a big de-restricted sign a few yards before another one that warns of a really bendy stretch.

 

[Penners]

Here in Norfolk they have a special way with signs.

I've never forgotten a lovely day that Mrs P and I spent driving along the north Norfolk coast.

We passed one large sign at the side of the road that said "Cats eyes removed".

I wasn't sure whether it was a traffic warning or a billboard for vet's services.

We also passed a sign outside a cafe that said (I promise this is true):

"All Day Breakfast, 9.00 - 11.30"

NFN :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

reverse its legislation regarding all the non-smoking signs now littering everywhere.

There's a large road traffic sign on the A69 which says SMOKE.

Warning or instruction?

 

[DaveBrigg]

There's a large road traffic sign on the A69 which says SMOKE.

Warning or instruction?

I had exactly the same question in mind when the mechanic checking my engine looked up to say 'cr*p in the carburettor'

 

[middi]

Traffic lights in the centre of Naples are interpreted as: "slow, diverted traffic" sign , nobody stops when they are red ; cars, bikes or anything on wheels that can weave between trees, bollards and buildings on what is supposed to be a footpath will be fully exploited by the motorists.
The pedestrians are fully aware of this adopted custom, they behave like a shoal of sardines when attacked by the tuna,s.
It is a health hazard to stop at the red lights, one will either get " donked" from the rear vehicle and risk a broken kneck, or suffer perforated ear drums by the hooters of all the other vehicle drivers warning you to keep moving.

There is no difference in traffic flow between a working or broken traffic lights.
The traffic here is similar to the economy, It just keps moving and never stable for too long.
There is no chance of Neapolitans ever embracing a nanny state, the 50 or so coallition political parties which are running the country would take 50 years to reach an agreement as to how to implement it.

" SEE NAPLES AND DIE"

( well they seem very happy !!!! )

 

[Gareth Hughes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_space

You can't please all the people all the time though...

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/index.php?id=2635

 

[MdB]

I spent Saturday getting drunk with a blind friend and the conversation came around to cycle paths which often are combined with pavements. He said that blind people prefer the version where there is a different height between the cycle part and the pedestrian part as it gives them an edge to follow. However, councils like the version which just has a white line down the middle as they are cheaper and the don't get sued by old ladies who trip over the kerb (which apparently has happened). As Gareth says, you can't come up with a solution which is ideal for everyone.