Topic ID 1994
Is it about time that a review was made of the junction by Tesco, with a view to stopping the practise of jumping the lights and causing unecessary congestion? The junction is invariably blocked by cars and lorries that drive across when there is no chance of clearing the junction, thereby blocking it for other users. Also, many motorists are either jumping the red lights or going straight across the junction instead of turning right at Tesco. This problem was particulary bad on Friday morning when an enormous lorry pulled out from Mill Road to turn right,then completely blocked the junction for everyone else. Perhaps the solution to the problem is to mark it as a box junction and to also install cameras to record the antics of reckless, dangerous motorists.
Reply ID 26059
I don't get it, what has Tesco got to do with it?
Reply ID 26060
Sorry, I see what you mean now. I just re-read your post. [:)]
Reply ID 26084
It's about time these lights were taken out and replaced with a mini roundabout as they create unnecessary conjestion.
Reply ID 26102
All traffic light controlled junctions and roundabouts should have yellow boxes and cameras. It would be a welcome change to be able to drive according to the rules of the road, courtesy and common sense instead of the pravailing attitude of "I've been queuing for 10 minutes and I'm bloody well going to go" or "I'm half way across the while line and the traffic lights no longer apply to me even if it means I block everyone else". Very frustrating.
Reply ID 26130
quote:Indeed, but many motorists have never had the experience of negotiating a junction on courtesy and common sense alone, having been wetnursed by lights and roundabouts since taking their tests. The more lights and controls, the less drivers have to rely on manners and prudence and eventually the skill is lost.
Originally posted by Mr P
All traffic light controlled junctions and roundabouts should have yellow boxes and cameras. It would be a welcome change to be able to drive according to the rules of the road, courtesy and common sense instead of the pravailing attitude of "I've been queuing for 10 minutes and I'm bloody well going to go" or "I'm half way across the while line and the traffic lights no longer apply to me even if it means I block everyone else". Very frustrating.
Reply ID 26146
quote:HEAR HEAR
Originally posted by shuntquote:Indeed, but many motorists have never had the experience of negotiating a junction on courtesy and common sense alone, having been wetnursed by lights and roundabouts since taking their tests. The more lights and controls, the less drivers have to rely on manners and prudence and eventually the skill is lost.
Originally posted by Mr P
All traffic light controlled junctions and roundabouts should have yellow boxes and cameras. It would be a welcome change to be able to drive according to the rules of the road, courtesy and common sense instead of the pravailing attitude of "I've been queuing for 10 minutes and I'm bloody well going to go" or "I'm half way across the while line and the traffic lights no longer apply to me even if it means I block everyone else". Very frustrating.
Reply ID 26169
Driving manners can be a dangerous thing. There is nothing worse that a "polite" driver who stops to let people out, with no regard to who they are holding up behind.
Reply ID 26172
quote:That kinda indicates how little we now understand the protocols which used to exist. It's people trying to jam into the junction because they are unwilling to give way that causes the longer delay at Mill Road. Plainly if you have right of way and traffic is moving fast, stopping would be a wrong call. However, if the light is green, but there's nowhere to go, one should still wait behind the line. It's amazing how many will hoot at a car that does!
Originally posted by Dude
Driving manners can be a dangerous thing. There is nothing worse that a "polite" driver who stops to let people out, with no regard to who they are holding up behind.
Reply ID 26175
I came down Ware Road to these lights the other day I was the 4th car on inside lane, there were 2 cars in the lane to turn right into Mill Road. As the lights changed and we started to move I realised a car was coming down the outside rather too fast, he shot past me and the one in front, somehow missed the 2 stationary in the right lane and shot between them and the 2 cars starting to move and went straight on. How we were not all piled up I shall never know, I just couldn't belive my eyes as it was happening, one of those kind of slow motion moment's if you know what I mean.!
Reply ID 26183
quote:Err...explain, please?
Originally posted by Dude
Driving manners can be a dangerous thing. There is nothing worse that a "polite" driver who stops to let people out, with no regard to who they are holding up behind.
Reply ID 26186
quote:What I mean is, there are a lot of bad drivers who think they are being polite, when in fact they are breaking the highway code and causing problems for other drivers on the road. Example: People who pull out into the overtaking lane on a dual carriageway when they see someone coming down a slip road to the side of them. More often than not, they do not check if anyone is approaching from behind (left or right lane) and they end up causing another vehicle to break. Its not hard for the highway code to be obeyed, ie, the driver on the slip road simply gives way and filtrates into the dual carriageway, but instead, the "polite" driver decides to him/herself that they can ignore the code at the expense of a third party.
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Err...explain, please?
Originally posted by Dude
Driving manners can be a dangerous thing. There is nothing worse that a "polite" driver who stops to let people out, with no regard to who they are holding up behind.
Reply ID 26187
Ah...you're referring in this instance to drivers of cars that are frustrated by safety first drivers. Drivers that have in fact failed to complete an overtaking manoeuvre before reaching the start of the filter lane. Drivers that have failed to anticipate the manoeuvre to be performed by the car inside them and therefore have to slam on the brakes. I understand.
Reply ID 26192
quote:In the advanced test, if it is safe to do so, clearing the left hand lane is recommended practice. This way, if the driver fails to merge correctly, your vehicle does not become the "meat in the sandwich" between joining traffic and outside lane cruisers. Hence you will see more experienced and advanced trained drivers not using the left lane at intersections unless forced to do so by the outer lanes being blocked.
Originally posted by Dudequote:What I mean is, there are a lot of bad drivers who think they are being polite, when in fact they are breaking the highway code and causing problems for other drivers on the road. Example: People who pull out into the overtaking lane on a dual carriageway when they see someone coming down a slip road to the side of them. More often than not, they do not check if anyone is approaching from behind (left or right lane) and they end up causing another vehicle to break. Its not hard for the highway code to be obeyed, ie, the driver on the slip road simply gives way and filtrates into the dual carriageway, but instead, the "polite" driver decides to him/herself that they can ignore the code at the expense of a third party.
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Err...explain, please?
Originally posted by Dude
Driving manners can be a dangerous thing. There is nothing worse that a "polite" driver who stops to let people out, with no regard to who they are holding up behind.
Reply ID 26195
In fact Dude is correct on his point. Nowhere in the Highway code does it say that drivers must pull out of lane 1 to let drivers on a slip road join. It is up to the car on the slip road to safely slip into the traffic on the main road - Drivers already on the road should maintain a steady speed and avoid changing lanes at this point. And the important point in Shunt's post is "if it is safe to do so"
Reply ID 26211
Nowhere in the Highway code does it say that drivers must pull out of lane 1 to let drivers on a slip road join. Not every aspect of driving is covered by the highway code and it does not take into account those who ignore it or human errors. Advanced training and that for HGV and PCV are are more comprehensive on defensive driving, accident avoidence etc. and includes additional safety suggestions such as the one mentioned. To change lanes to a more secure position aproaching a interchange "if it is safe to do so" is accepted practice, but not mandatory. It beats plowing into the guy who gets it wrong on the slip road and shouting "You were in the wrong!" at the corpse, assuming you are able to. Anyway, we are off the subject. I was simply explaining why this practice is so common.
Reply ID 26222
Actually the problem is more the drivers who seem completely oblivious of everything going on around them. Driving takes a great deal of skill and judgement and drivers need to be fully aware of other drivers, road conditions, road markings, road signs, pedestrians etc When drivers fail to drive with due consideration to all of these factors, accidents happen. The highway code is in fact a set of guidelines to facilitate smooth operation of the roads, most of it isn't law.
Reply ID 26251
quote:All things considered regarding manners/highway code etc., it seems to be the case that whatever the vehicle at this junction - and especially 16 wheel pantechnicon lorries - it will pile across the junction regardless to ensure that it doesn't get stuck on another light change. Likewise, traffic is now deliberately driving into the right turn lane and shooting straight across the junction towards town, oblivious to the fact that the lights are against them, and that cars in the left lane may be pulling to the right at this point. Mindless mayhem. As no-one seems to want or be capable of driving properly, perhaps the only way to stop it is to photo it and fine the offenders?
Originally posted by jez_p
Actually the problem is more the drivers who seem completely oblivious of everything going on around them. Driving takes a great deal of skill and judgement and drivers need to be fully aware of other drivers, road conditions, road markings, road signs, pedestrians etc When drivers fail to drive with due consideration to all of these factors, accidents happen. The highway code is in fact a set of guidelines to facilitate smooth operation of the roads, most of it isn't law.
Reply ID 26660
Isn't this now just a national topic? The very interesting question that was put was concerning a box junction and cameras on The Ware Road. What has the highway code/slip lane protocol and the like got to do with this simple LOCAL issue. Anyway, Back to the subject. Last week I was crossing said junction on my motor scooter heading into Hertford. My lights went from Red, Red/Amber and Green. I began to move forward when a 4x4 screamed accross the junction in front of me. I saw that the window was open on the car and so raised my visor to ask what colour the driver would like the lights to be when he crossed them? I was informed by the (very inpolite) passenger that I could in no way have seen what colour his lights were when his driver (presume wife/girlfriend) crossed them as I would need 'bloody good eyesight' to see them from my side of the road. I would like to let the driver, passenger and small child that was being dangerously driven (probably a bit late for the train and the skool run me thinks) that I didn't need to see the other lights. They MUST have been on red for at least 3 seconds before they crossed them as the lights I crossed had already turned to green. Plenty of time to stop ? Time for a box junction and cameras. It might also be time for cameras on the roundabout at the bottom of The Cambridge Road as the lights are very often ignored there too. These are dangerous places to drive, accidents are all to often there - generally shunts to date, but if the rules were being observed even these could be avoided. Then again, we could just let people continue to decide which elements of the law they decide to follow and b****r the consequences.
Reply ID 26664
Agree with all that, though with or without a marked box, one shouldn't cross the line when the exit from the junction isn't clear. These are just bad drivers and unfortunately, there are more of them every day. More control has led to many drivers forgetting that it is up to them to drive properly. Once upon a time, shooting into a space which another driver expected to occupy would have been seen as an embarrassing error, which would be apologised for. Now, selfishness to the point of being dangerously agressive, seems to be the norm. For that reason, the rest of us have to adopt even more defensive driving tactics, particulary if, like Sheila and I, you are exposed and on two wheels.
Reply ID 27096
Fantastic stuff last night at about 4.45pm.....there they were, hurling themselves with (or at) gay abandon across the lights from Mill Road in a desperate attempt not to have to wait through an other change! The consequence of this was 3 cars too many attempting to turn right towards town who then managed to restrict the junction for the traffic attempting to cross it travelling towards Ware! Would having to wait for a another 3 minutes seriously shorten their manhoods? Would the dummy mummy in the BMW with the appearance of having a very nasty smell under her nose, suddenly find herself having to use a bus? Nah, they just can't be bothered to wait or give a moment's consideration to anyone else on the road. Please can we have a box junction. Or a camera? [:(!]
Reply ID 27141
quote:Absolutely, in fact both, plus a police traffic vehicle there to catch the stupid drivers who place no concern for the safety of others. Twice now at that junction I've nearly come to grief, made worse by the fact that Mother was in the car with me. Despite being a Land Girl during the War years and driving heavy vehicles, she has become very nervous of road traffic and now won't drive. I blame the modern day driver with their haste and speed. Our Morris Minor cannot hope to accelerate away at the speeds some vehicles do and to be bullied out of the way is very offensive. I feel a petition should be instigated. Mother agrees.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Fantastic stuff last night at about 4.45pm.....there they were, hurling themselves with (or at) gay abandon across the lights from Mill Road in a desperate attempt not to have to wait through an other change! The consequence of this was 3 cars too many attempting to turn right towards town who then managed to restrict the junction for the traffic attempting to cross it travelling towards Ware! Would having to wait for a another 3 minutes seriously shorten their manhoods? Would the dummy mummy in the BMW with the appearance of having a very nasty smell under her nose, suddenly find herself having to use a bus? Nah, they just can't be bothered to wait or give a moment's consideration to anyone else on the road. Please can we have a box junction. Or a camera? [:(!]
Reply ID 27163
The thing that drives me nuts is the amount of people who come out of Tesco in the left hand lane and then try to turn right towards the Bluecoats roundabout [:(!], effectively forcing those in the RH lane out of the way (if they are trying to get to the LH lane for the roundabout to go up London Rd). I've had arguments with people because I have sat for a while in the exit of Tesco because the RH lane is not clear to pull out into.
Reply ID 27226
quote:Stick to your guns Leo, as you know it's your responsibility to move only when you consider it safe to. The idiots in that queue won't be in the least bit interested if you cause an accident giving in to pressure to move against your own judgement. They'll just become impatient at being held up even more. Pity you can't "turn up" the brake lights!
Originally posted by Leo Densian
The thing that drives me nuts is the amount of people who come out of Tesco in the left hand lane and then try to turn right towards the Bluecoats roundabout [:(!], effectively forcing those in the RH lane out of the way (if they are trying to get to the LH lane for the roundabout to go up London Rd). I've had arguments with people because I have sat for a while in the exit of Tesco because the RH lane is not clear to pull out into.
Reply ID 27380
quote:I agree ........so pleased iv'e just bought a flat on the Ware road ( i think )[:(!]
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Fantastic stuff last night at about 4.45pm.....there they were, hurling themselves with (or at) gay abandon across the lights from Mill Road in a desperate attempt not to have to wait through an other change! The consequence of this was 3 cars too many attempting to turn right towards town who then managed to restrict the junction for the traffic attempting to cross it travelling towards Ware! Would having to wait for a another 3 minutes seriously shorten their manhoods? Would the dummy mummy in the BMW with the appearance of having a very nasty smell under her nose, suddenly find herself having to use a bus? Nah, they just can't be bothered to wait or give a moment's consideration to anyone else on the road. Please can we have a box junction. Or a camera? [:(!]
Reply ID 27432
quote:Or just put the mini roundabout back.
Please can we have a box junction. Or a camera? [:(!]
Reply ID 27442
quote:when the mini roundabout was there,drivers were just as inconsiderate then and blocked the junction
Originally posted by Reg Varnyquote:Or just put the mini roundabout back.
Please can we have a box junction. Or a camera? [:(!]
Reply ID 27458
I agree with Dutch Knight. A roundabout is no deterent to anyone who just wants to get across the junction and not be held up by other traffic, as is clearly evidenced even on those controlled by lights. The traffic on Gascoyne Way regularly crosses the lights on amber and is still tailing off as the lights are green to enable traffic to turn left onto Fore Street, or right onto the Ware Road. All you would end up with is a blocked roundabout and a lot of irate drivers. Perhaps the only logical solution is a box junction as an obvious visual deterrent with the possiblity of being caught on camera and dealt with in whatever the latest money making scheme is. [:(!]