Safe Speed Forums

I think the whole point is that drivers need to be able to find somewhere where they can stop safely and legally if they are unable to continue driving for any reason. The need to stop cannot always be planned for, people do get taken ill suddenly, cars do develop faults, overheat, break down whatever.

I have personally been known to become tired very quickly too. To the extent that I needed to stop for a while. Often, a break is all that is required.

On motorways the MSAs are the only places where one can stop safely and legally, and it is unreasonable IMO to force drivers to continue (or to change them) if they are still unfit to drive after the allotted two hours.

I would suggest thar MSA operators could allocate a separate area of the car park for people who want to stay longer, that is not subject to the 2 hour limit. The only proviso would be that all vehicles using that area would have to remain occupied in order to stay there without paying. That would stop the area from being used by the car poolers, even though I regard car pooling as something to be encouraged, as it reduced the number of vehicles using our overcrowded roads.

bump...

Millsee... We haven't scared you away have we?

I really want to hear your case.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I read this thread with interest when it first came on the site, as I had just come back from some longer journeys and noticed the 2 hour signs. They've probably been there for ages but I hadn't paid much attention.

Anyway, as a result of this thread I sent emails to Roadchef, Moto, and Welcome Break. My points were the ones made in the thread about the safety benefit of short naps during long drives, but also about my own case of having 4 small children, 3 of whom are still in nappies, 2 still on milk / only just being weaned; my point was that 2 hours or more could easily be used up for a simple break / milk / food / nappy stop.

I have had a letter back from Roadchef:



As only Roadchef have replied, I think I will try to use them in the future, and I'll keep the letter in the car somewhere in case common sense is in danger of not being applied!

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COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

sorry - additional point.

I wasn't aware that the highways agency had to agree to the 2 hour limit. If I had time or energy tonight I would look for their email / postal address and write to them as well.

I see why a limit should be imposed to stop all day parking, but 2 hours seems a little short IMHO.

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COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

Very interesting. Thanks for doing that.

I'd like to think there's still time for the others to reply and would love to see their replies in due course.

The point about 'space rationing' completely fails to stand up after midnight doesn't it?

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety