Safe Speed Forums

First they reduced the speed limit on part of the A31 in Dorset to . It's perfetly safe to do >50 along here a lot of the time except around the roundabouts where >25 gets a bit hairy. Since putting in the speed limit a tank fell off of it's transporter around one of the roundabouts. Coincidence? Maybe.

So they created a speedin' epidemic because now people on lane 1 are doing exactally 50 no matter how close they are to the vehicle in front and vehicles in lane 2 are ignoreing the pointless limit. So what to do about this 'problem' they created?

Mobile Camera Location List 20th to 26th June 2006 (inclusive)


Now they start stealth speed enforcement. No camera signs required.

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Andrew.

50mph is too slow along any part of that road, roundabouts excepted. The speed limit buffer zones are also far too long. Also, one of the roundabouts is unnecessary, as it only has two branches (A31 and A31). It can also be noted that there is an unsurfaced dirt track turning off the westbound carriageway with a NSL sign at the start of it. Typical of our speed limit policy, isn't it.

I believe one of the repeater signs is still covered up!
IMHO these repeater signs are NOT at a regular intervals.

The pointless roundabout, yeah, it is a bit odd! Although people do seem to go around it if they turn left out of, I think, St. lenoards Hospital turning. I suppose a central area where vehicles could wait to turn right on to the opposite carageway would be better.

I have heard that the signage isn't correct depending on where you enter the road from, I haven't had a chance to check it out yet though. I really should do, and take photos.

I remember I used to drive along there, often around 70mph, and I didn't feel worried at all about exceding the speed limit. I could relax and concentrate on not driving craply. Now of course I feel anxous about speed enforcement and have to look out for police cars/etc.

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Andrew.

You should try driving Queensway in Stoke towards the M6, 50mph limit on possibly one of the straightest, widest bits of three lane carriageway in the world. It's absolutely horrible.

I've not actually tried sticking to 50 along the A31 yet... *ahem*
Although I did have to on the M4 once as there was a pre-toll tax collector on the bridge. I thought about biding my time counting coins or something.

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Andrew.

Just had a thought, the 50 limit on the A31 is really pointless and quite frustrating. And it is causing a lot more tailgating.
Who can we complain to?

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Andrew.

Van was present and correct this morning, westbound between the real fire shop and the Boundary lane roundabout.

Could try asking DSCP who in the community was actually concerned....

Ah, so that will be in the middle of the longest stretch where and when most people from out of the area will be coming then?
Why am I not supprised.

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Andrew.

free meals in the hungry poacher, no doubt

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now retired

They are back on the A31 this week (tuesday to tuesday):
http://www.dorsetsafetycameras.org.uk/news/249.htm

Last time I drove along there I overtook a police car (I was doing exactally 70) who seemed to take offence to this and tailgaited me for a bit, I think he was goading me into going faster. Unfortunatly cruise control doesn't give in to goading.
Then we entered the pointless 50 limit and I slowed down slightly harder than was really nessecary but not hard enough to be dangerous and he tried it on again. Eventually he gave up and sped up to probably around 60. Later I passed him on the inside; he was queueing in lane 2 for the roundabout and I was in lane 1 which was free. I don't think he liked that either.
He couldn't find any reason to pull me over it seemed. Shame that.

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Andrew.

Last week they were apparently rattling the collection tin on the A357 (my route home, though I didn't see them), another 'speed complaint area', and coincidentally one where the speed limit on a long straight has recently been reduced to 50