[David9694]

A new catch-all Tea Shop thread for those miscellaneous new stories that don’t quite fit with parking, crashing into buildings or trapped/prisoners in their homes. 

Topic

[David9694]

I thought this story

I thought this story interesting because there is a pedestrian crossing, but despite this a scooter user has still been knocked down and killed by a driver.  So we have to throw money at upgrading it and/or maybe reduce the speed limit. (“They want to.control us, I’ve never heard of any accidents down there, it’s all about the money” etc) 

Is it the crossing that is “inadequate”, though? It looks a pretty typical example to me, like one of thousands. 

As always, and why is this narrative confined to obscure corners like this, we’re down to (I) decades of designing a pro car world (ii) the mitigations thereto being ineffective (iii) driver behaviour, competency  (iv) little fear of conviction or meaningful (custodial) punishment https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/woman-killed-pensioner-crash-avoids/.  (He had a green light, the sun was in his eyes, there was a mechanical defect, he was rushing to hospital / he needs to drive for his job and / or elderly relative who lives up a cart track, what will happen to his 2.4 children?”.)

Calls for improvements to crossing on Royal Engineer’s Way, Maidstone after death of man hit by car

On November 21, an 82-year-old on a mobility scooter had been crossing Royal Engineers Way, on the way into Maidstone near the roundabout by the town’s library.

Research was also underway by the Police and Speed Camera Partnership (PSCP) to reduce the speed limit between the Invicta Barracks roundabout and the Royal Engineers roundabout from 40mph to 30mph.

Cllr Samme added: “Whilst control lines have recently been introduced around the roundabout, a welcome development, the issue of speeding on the approach to the roundabout remains.”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/tragedy-sparks-renewed-calls-for-safety-upgrades-to-inadequ-333476/

[ChrisA]

I’m not sure the motor

I’m not sure the motor industry helps these people.  Cars are quieter, more comfortable, faster, “safer”, have multiple active safety systems, but allow the driver limited vision and lots of toys to play with.

[ChrisA]

Sorry, tongue not firmly

Sorry, tongue not firmly enough in cheek.  I would have thought that even in traffic the bike would be more consistant, the motorbike certainly was. And the consequence of “can always make up time”, is less calm, and probably not more “positive” focus.

[chrisonabike]

ChrisA wrote:

ChrisA wrote:

It would seem that many drivers do not feel the need to leave “extra” time for a journey.  They know how long it takes & and they can always make up time, if necessary.

Yes, but as a counterpoint (which people who don’t regularly cycle probably are unaware of)… unless you’re entirely confined to roads (so at the mercy of motor traffic flows), I find that I can be much more certain of how long many journeys will take in the bike! (Again particularly where I can access the motor traffic-free paths).

[chrisonabike]

Mr Blackbird wrote:

Mr Blackbird wrote:

I think leaving insufficient time for a journey is a major factor. But there are drivers who just drive fast because it is what excellent drivers do, or because their car demands it.

I think it’s mostly “because they can”.

Culture is important. But… compare: a bicycle is designed to go as fast as your legs will propel it (downhill excepted). And even downhill it feels fast as air rushes around you, the bike bucks under you… (Even velomobiles are bumpy and loud – sometimes it’s louder than cycles in that box! )

But a car is designed to go … well, any speed the manufacturers like. And all the user notices is a bit more noise and vibration (which the car is carefully designed to reduce!)

[Mr Blackbird]

I think leaving insufficient
I think leaving insufficient time for a journey is a major factor. But there are drivers who just drive fast because it is what excellent drivers do, or because their car demands it. Examples :

Many VW Golf drivers,
Drivers of cars with aerofoils or which are customised in other ways.
Drivers wearing baseball caps.

[ChrisA]

It would seem that many

It would seem that many drivers do not feel the need to leave “extra” time for a journey.  They know how long it takes & and they can always make up time, if necessary.

As for being calm, that’s not the way their world works (they have rights and are being penalised just for driving & the road works & the traffic, etc.) and focused, there’s so much other stuff to think about as well “just” driving.

[bensynnock]

The paths where cycling is
The paths where cycling is permitted or banned in the New Forest seem totally arbitrary. I can’t see any good reason for most of them being closed.

Maybe they should make more effort to inform dog walkers of the rules that apply to them instead.

[wtjs]

Research was also underway by

Research was also underway by the Police and Speed Camera Partnership (PSCP)…

Oh dear! Whenever these investigations/ research/ comments come from one of these rubbishy ‘Partnerships’, you know that it’s not good, no one organisation is responsible and the ‘umbrella body’ is simply another level for people to hide behind, consult with etc.

[Bungle_52]

chrisonabike wrote:

Perhaps many of us shouldn’t be driving – our at least not unless we’re really fully focused and calm that day?

I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. It is my belief that the vast majority of bad driving is a result of drivers not leaving plenty of time for their journey and are therefore not calm. Add to this, thinking about or doing other things whilst driving and you have a recipe for disaster as many cyclists have found out ot their cost.

The highway code tells road users to leave plenty of time for their journey but I have never seen it quoted as a factor in road traffic incidents. It should be one of the standard questions in any investigation. What was your destination and how much time did you allow for the journey?

[chrisonabike]

BBC wrote:

BBC wrote:

Mary McCarthy has been driving for almost 20 years, but has only driven on the motorway about ten times in her life because they terrify her.

Driving anxiety is a far more common problem then you might think, callers share their experience of this phobia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ylnw9g994o

I should be cheering, thanking people for their honesty. And saying “yes, AND you’re nearly there! The fear is telling you something true! It *is* dangerous. (Although just in the wrong location – motorways are probably the safest road environments for motorists… because lots of *infrastructure* done with “human factors” engineering).

And with the power of a motor vehicle you’re always on the edge of your ability to control the situation. You’ve just noticed what we train / socialise most people to ignore!

Perhaps many of us shouldn’t be driving – our at least not unless we’re really fully focused and calm that day?

And could the solution be… not fixing the fear, but making transport choices so far fewer people feel they have to drive?”

But the temptation to take out a small violin and play an ode to “first world problems” is lurking though, i admit.

[David9694]

A rare lucid moment where the

A rare lucid moment where the lights have briefly flickered to “on” at the New Forest Verderer’s Court, that is usually going on about cyclists on or off trail. 

Fears National Trust commons will be swamped if Forestry England introduce parking charges

Another New Forest commoner, who asked not to be named, added: “There is very little in the way of dragons teeth and ditching in this part of the Forest – so displacement parking will become a huge problem.”

“It will also lead to parking across gateways and on narrow lanes which will create problems for farmers and commoners with access,” he added. “It feels like Forestry England have not listened to the concerns that commoners have – they have just pushed ahead with their own agenda.”

https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/fears-forest-parking-charges-will-ruin-quieter-parts-of-nati-9444502/

[David9694]

But I’m assured by Facebook

But I’m assured by Facebook that it’s not speed that kills, it’s bad drivers.

Despite everything, the speeding apologists still pop up. 

[the little onion]

levestane wrote:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp34nyenqpko

I like the way the headline blames the bridge.

 

Just waiting for The Daily Mail to post a “Who is to blame – the bus driver or the bridge?” poll, and for 96% of respondents to blame the bridge.

[andystow]

levestane wrote:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp34nyenqpko

I like the way the headline blames the bridge.

Odd, it seems adequately posted.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tN1eNJPdutMJA31y9

[Author]

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