Safe Speed Forums

The campaign for genuine road safety
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 06:16

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 18:49 
Offline
Gold Member
Gold Member

Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 21:38
Posts: 1
I have recently returned from a month in Southern Florida. I was looking at their roads with the current UK campaign about removing roadside clutter in mind. It struck me that one of many differences between US and EU roads is the marked reduction in Keep Left or Keep Right (as appropriate) signs. Certainly in South Florida and also in the Rockies - where I have driven 8000 miles in recent years - there are very few Keep Right signs. Where in the UK we would have a traffic island and a sign, in the US they just have some yellowpaint on the road. At junctions where the roads are dual carriageways there is only a keep right sign in about 20% of cases. otherwise there is just the raised centre section of the road. Motorists are expected to have enough common sense to keep to the correct side of the dual carriageway without intrusive signs. Another thing missing in the US on single carriageway roads is the traffic island in the middle of the road, sometimes used as a pedestrian refuge in the UK. In the US pedestrians are expected to cross the road in one go, or perhaps wait on the yellow painted are that divided opposing flows of traffic and allows right or left turns on some wider single carriageways.
Removal of Keep Left signs and associated traffic islands would remove much clutter from our roads and would provide less street furniture as colission hazards.
Bobbio


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 22:49 
Offline
Supporter
Supporter
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 13:45
Posts: 4042
Location: Near Buxton, Derbyshire
They also have "WRONG WAY" signs on divided highways suggesting either that the other signage is inadequate or that common sense is in short supply.

And, as a decreasingly nimble pedestrian I find the central islands invaluable in crossing the road. I am sure that pedestrians waiting in the middle of the road as you suggest would be heavily censured by the "we all must look to our own safety" brigade. :shock:

_________________
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
When I see a youth in a motor car I do d.c.brown


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 15:27 
Offline
Member
Member

Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 02:50
Posts: 2868
Location: Dorset
They have the concept of a centre line though, we don't have that here.
ie. Normally the yellow line should be on your left.

The obstructions they put in the middle of the roads over here do probably give a false sense of security - that bit of plastic isn't going to protect you.

_________________
Andrew.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 16:42 
Offline
Supporter
Supporter
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 13:45
Posts: 4042
Location: Near Buxton, Derbyshire
Ziltro wrote:
They have the concept of a centre line though, we don't have that here.
ie. Normally the yellow line should be on your left.

The obstructions they put in the middle of the roads over here do probably give a false sense of security - that bit of plastic isn't going to protect you.


The kerb gives you the same protection as the kerb on a pavement. Not much, but better than nothing.

_________________
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
When I see a youth in a motor car I do d.c.brown


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 16:59 
Offline
User
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:55
Posts: 2247
Location: middlish
a recent arrival near me
streetview link

this is on a roundabout.. to the right is continue round the roundabout .. to the left is one of the exits.
the bollard dead ahead has now been replaced with a flat equivalent.. complete with blue left/right arrows.... just in case you weren't sure what the options were.
:roll: :D


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You can post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
[ Time : 0.020s | 13 Queries | GZIP : Off ]