Rant 23 - 23/1/12 Subject: Roadworks

Rant number 23

This is one I literally can not put up with any longer. So rant I must and rant I shall.

Road works.

I understand that wear and tear is going to happen to our very busy road network. 

I understand as such, that , occasionally some repairs will be needed to made to said road network. 

I understand that this may involve at times coning off areas in order to make workers safe.

I understand all of this.

What I do not understand is why it takes so fucking long to do anything and why they need to cone off 74 miles of motor way at a time.

And - if you can explain the above to me. Why oh why (oh why oh why oh why etc) can I never see anyone working.

I've seen people looking at various pieces of equipment, scratching their heads as if to say 'I wonder what this one does, it looks very shiny...,' I've seen people tying themselves to barriers for safety and I've seen people talking in small groups. 

I imagine that somewhere, a species of worker exists that we have never seen. 

I imagine that they have 7 arms, 3 legs and 4 eyes, one on each side of their square heads. 

I would like to think that these workers, (like some kind of yeti) can never be seen by us normal folk - but sneak out in gaps between traffic to do a teeny bit of work - whilst the normal humanoid workers look on in confusion. Because they are so scared of us 'norms' (yes thats what they probably call us) they have to keep hiding again.

This is - to me - the only plausible explanation for why it takes them so long to cover only a small distance of road.

As to why it is required to cone off 74 miles of motorway at once. This is a mystery that I cannot solve.

Currently there are - that affect me on my normal routes:

Roadworks on the road to the motorway: reduced speed by 10mph+1 lane reduced

Roadworks upon my morning commute: reduced speed to 50mph+average speed cameras.

Roadworks on my return journey: reduced speed to 50mph+average speed camera + reduced lane & 10mph reduced speed.

Roadworks going to band: Once again reduced speed by 20mph

Roadworks coming back from back: Once again, reduced speed by 20mph.

Yet more roadworks coming back from band x2 + reduced 1 lane + -10mph.

I just wish they could come up with a better way of doing things, and like - you know work a bit faster.

Or maybe, they could cone off a little bit less - work a bit more efficiently and not drive me round the frickin' bend!

Rant over.

Rant 7 - 7/1/12 Subject: Speed cameras

Rant Number 7


So what was my bone of contention in the last 24 hours?

Speed cameras

Now don't get me wrong, I would like the roads to be safe for my self and my friends and family. I know that this presents a paradox, as speed is often the cause of danger on the roads. The thing is, that speed cameras for the most part, just don't work, except to fill the coffers of those at the sharp end.

Speed cameras cannot be hidden from view,so it's just not possible to make them work the way that the police would like anyway. People continue to speed up to a few meters before the camera, slow down to below the limit, then accelerate off again as soon as possible.

So why do people mostly speed anyway? Because a lot of the time speed limits just don't represent a realistic picture of an area.

I understand a 30 mile an hour speed limit in a built up area with houses during the day. But this stands even at 10pm at night - when you would like to think that kids would be safe in beds. In some areas, the speed limit drops to 20 miles an hour. Which just isn't terribly practical in a car with an engine bigger than a house brick.

So why have the cameras??
Because some people make expensive mistakes.

Those who get caught are rarely making a die hard effort to speed. To be rebels or anything of the sort.
No - most people just get caught out when they loose concentration very briefly, or get confused about the ridiculous limits.
If the cameras succeed - they are not making the road safer. Surely that says it all.

And they do succeed, quite a bit - speed cameras are big 'road safety' money!

Now so far, I've only discussed the static cameras however- some bright spark has made things so much worse in recent years. The joy which is the 'average speed camera.'

These cameras - actually do work.

You are forced, by avert of not exceeding the average speed across the zones, to indeed keep to the speed dictated.

This would be no problem, as previously stated - if the speed in question made sense.

It doesn't though

Often these cameras are used on the motorway when roadworks are being undertaken, and when the speed limit is being reduced by upwards of 25%. At the moment - one of Yorkshires main vein roads - the M62, has bloody miles of roadworks - all at 50 miles an hour.

Does this make the road safer for those working or those driving on it?

Does it my arse!

The news reported that 1000% more speeding fines have been levied in the several months so far (with no sign of completion) that these road works have been going on. I have not seen so far any work taking place however - in these supposedly 'safer zones' (infact, I have seen many people driving more dangerously, in mere frustration)

So in summary, speed cameras are overused to make money out of the already wrung dry motorist, and it's bloody annoying!

Rant over.