Early guidance to help drivers?
REGARDING Annemarie Field’s comment on the road markings in Kings Drive (last Friday’s Herald) not being fully complied with, it should be noted the common way of referring to such guidance is with the addition of a sign advising motorists to ‘get in the correct lane’ so those who aren’t quite so capable behind the wheel will have a better chance to receive the guidance they shouldn’t need.
Perhaps the fact that the wrong system, as it was, had been operating for so long it has become ingrained in the minds of a few who will take some while to note and understand.
Still, it’s nice to know those responsible for the change have noted the comments of others and accordingly reacted correctly.
Maybe now we will see even further sensible changes on our local roads with similar advice on roundabout approaches - keep left for turning left and outer lane for travelling straight on or turning right, lessening even further the fumes and hold-ups at such spots.
Maybe at some time in the future we will see those stupid large ‘mini’ roundabouts adjusted to their common-sense size and many drivers will then no longer subject themselves to the possible penalties of the law as well as ‘bus and similar sized vehicle drivers will not need so much legal acceptance on the matter.
Frustration is a key word in today’s driving conditions, something those who constantly coerce us in our driving methods should understand. We have traffic flow restriction as seemingly the only answer, and it seems no proper thought is given to the consequences of continual frustration provided by obstacles to efficient progress.
Have traffic control by all means for real safety purposes, but not to the extent it causes unnecessary hold-ups nor the possibility of an accident. A pedestrian crossing has been placed in the village at Hampden Park, not too far short of the railway level crossing.
I suppose someone had an accident in the area at some time? What do we now find though! Traffic that used to snarl all the way back to Decoy Drive now gets held up even more because pedestrians gleefully make extensive use of that crossing, many an individual blithely stepping on to it as soon as the previous pedestrian has almost reached the pavement the other side of the road.
Many drivers, too, find themselves held up even longer at the level crossing. Consequently, there is far more traffic fumes and stationary motor vehicles than before.
The same minds who have thought out this matter are presumably the same ones who have held back for over 40 years on a suitable pedestrian/cycle route through the parkland between Hampden Park and the town, which would encourage and help to separate many cyclists and pedestrians from fume laden vehicular traffic in keeping with government advice.
RON SPICER
Meadowlands Avenue
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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Ashawed
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 05:31 PMAs drivers we shouldn't give reasons for confusion; instead we should keep up with the business of driving by observation and awareness in keeping with demand and the law. Due to the amount of road traffic nowadays however, the law itself is way behind the requirements of everyday drivers - and in many instances, those who lay out our roads then later alter their original mistakes to commit yet a further mistake are largely to blame for ongoing problems. Some of the points have been mentioned in the original article. In fact, it would not always be the case that drivers should strictly obey the idea of left hand for left turn and outer lane for straight on and turn right. The geographical layout of the area concerned inclusive of traffic flow should demand the correct design. The writer surely intended that. Travelling throughout the country, a driver can witness many instances of APPROPRIATE layouts. Our local road traffic controllers don't seem to have that experience. All quite simple really! I manage it and I'm quite elderly.
roneoron
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:21 PMThe reason for the confusion is simple. Us older drivers were taught right up to the 1980s, precisely the opposite. Left hand lane for left and ahead, right hand lane for right turn or any exit past 12 o-clock. If our dearly beloved Min.of T. would like to make up its mind what they now want, and tell us, perhaps the confusion would not arise. And many accidents on roundabouts would be avoided if the lazy and the dreamers would use their indicators instead of relying on the rest of us being psychic!
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