Calls to reduce the A34 to a 50mph limit, Yet more namby pamby nonsense Options

[user23]

Many drivers don't seem to observe variable speed limit signs

[Strafin]

You, apparently, only need to change lanes to avoid them.

[Biker1]

You, apparently, only need to change lanes to avoid them.

Next time you encounter one, try it and let me know how you get on.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

As to how to the variable speed will be managed, I missed your post on that, but I'm sure there are some obvious metrics and metering that can/is done today - traffic volume, speed etc. Perhaps something more predictive would help - inbound volume of traffic, road conditions, events, etc. What were your thoughts?

My thoughts are that it may work in certain areas. As no-one listens to speed limits that make no sense they would have to be imposed under stringent conditions, eg when there's a certain flow of traffic and should only be around those troublesome junctions. People should also be remind, perhaps using signs, that there is an accelerator on their car for a reason and to use the full length of the sliproad to join the carriageway when possible.
When things like the Newbury Show is on and there is a much larger traffic density on the road then that may again help as well although that's a bit far away from the troublesome area you mention.

Do not get me wrong, I am not disagreeing with you saying there is not a problem, simply that slashing the speed limit won't solve the problem - Which was what your original point was (you have since changed your views slightly, who says you can't be reasonable. )

As proven (Biker1 you may be interested in this too) in one of the links showing that when the speed limits were raised and lowered by between 5 and 24mph (I think it was either 21 or 24..) that no real difference in actual traffic speed occurred and the deduction in speed limit didn't reduce accidents in those cases. It boils down to drivers will drive how they feel the conditions dictate and that's nothing that can be easily solved...place speed cameras you will just have people slowing down for them, average speed cameras on a regular dual carriageway will not wash with the motorists and many complaints will ensue...sure it'll make people slow down for sure, but will they be paying as much attention using their attentive abilities for shouting in anger at the cars in front?

P.s the changing lanes used to work, not any more I am told. I wouldn't risk it haha. Cruise control at 49 in those situations..

[Penelope]

And no accident today !!

[NWNREADER]

And no accident today !!

How do you know?

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

FAB 1 has warp drive and can patrol the entire road in a matter of seconds.

[motormad]

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/five-de...e-a34-in-a-year


Thoughts?

[Biker1]

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/five-de...e-a34-in-a-year


Thoughts?

Yes, hmmmm, I remember when the by-pass was proposed / planned many of those who campaigned for it said that it would considerably reduce or eliminate accidents on the A34.

[On the edge]

Regrettably it was the usual lack of foresight and scrimping that kept the design at two lanes. As Southampton has grown as a port, so the transport structure needed to expand. A34 is seen as a Euro route.

We have no cohesive integrated transport policy, let alone a local one. That's further evidenced by the continued failure to upgrade the existing medieval cart track between Thatcham and Basingstoke.

As for getting more freight on trains, don't make me laugh, that's something only the Europeans do.

So then for safety reasons, the only answer is to reduce the speed limit. 50 still seems rather high, so a few humps would also help.

[Andy Capp]

Yes, hmmmm, I remember when the by-pass was proposed / planned many of those who campaigned for it said that it would considerably reduce or eliminate accidents on the A34.

Really? Well that proves the bypass shouldn't have been built then.



There's only one effective way to eliminate RTAs: no vehicular access.

[Biker1]

Really? Well that proves the bypass sholdn't have been built then.

No it doesn't, it just shows that many were sold yet another lie.

[gel]

You, apparently, only need to change lanes to avoid them.

I've heard that; relates to data protection laws I recall, in that they can only keep 1 stream of data
on you at any one time.

[Simon Kirby]

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/five-de...e-a34-in-a-year


Thoughts?

It would be helpful to understand how the deaths were caused. Because of the statistics of small numbers, five deaths do not necessarily indicate an underlying problem with the road, they might just be an unfortunate anomaly and happened by chance to cluster here. I do however think that the on-ramps are awfully short and should be greatly extended to allow much more time to slot into the sometimes fast and heavy traffic.

[Andy Capp]

You, apparently, only need to change lanes to avoid them.

I've heard that; relates to data protection laws I recall, in that they can only keep 1 stream of data
on you at any one time.

Beware that isn't true. They monitor all three lanes at once.

[NWNREADER]

All this talk about speed limits...

How about Local Action?

[blackdog]

All this talk about speed limits...

How about Local Action?