27 June 2012

Roadworks, slow down!

| JC
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Not sure what it is about the roadworks on Barry Drive that makes people think it is ok to speed through at what ever speed they like. Every word day afternoon I drive through there and hardly anyone slows down at either of the two areas the limit is reduced Belconnen bound. At least at other roadworks most people at least try to make an effort but on this one it is probably about 5% try. Buses in particular scare the bejesus out of me as they roar past in their own lane at about 70km/h just so they can get ahead of other traffic up over Black Mountain.

Today I slowed down to the 40km/h speed limit, just as I was approaching the big white sign with 40 written in black with a big red circle around it and nearly had a Ford Territory run up my arse. To add insult to injury the stupid women then had the hide to give me a blast of the horn and make a what the hell are you doing hand gesture at me. I think she got the message as I wound down the window and pointed at the 3rd 40km/h sign we had passed. She then happily sat a safe distance off my rear all the way until Catchpole Street.

So Canberra drivers slow the hell down at roadworks. Yes I agree with you that many of the roadworks limits are stupidly low or should return to normal when the workers leave. Take for example the 60km/h on the Barton Highway/Kurringa Drive intersection despite the road being finished some time ago and few if any workers around, but the bottom line is if the sign says to reduce speed it is the L A W law, so don’t abuse others for doing the right thing, and pray to god you don’t kill or injure a work person in your rush to (possibly) save 15 seconds on the run home.

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Here_and_Now10:39 am 28 Jun 12

Mr Gillespie said :

Maybe the Ford Territory was in a hurry (even at 70 in an 80 zone??) and you were getting in his way God dammit!!!

The OP already pointed out the 40 sign. A stretch of road with a 40 sign isn’t an 80 zone, it is a 40 zone.

I’m not a lawyer, but If you get apprehended for speeding or other driving transgressions, I believe that simply telling them you were in a hurry, with or without blasphemy, would not resolve the situation. Sorry.

I am sick and tired of being told to slow down for roadworks, if it “scares the bejesus out of you”, then try not standing so close to the traffic!!! and take a chill pill and remember how many roadworkers have been killed at worksites (ie. NONE).

None? That would be nice, but I’m afraid it is untrue. A couple of minutes with a search engine showed me that. Sad reading, actually.

wildturkeycanoe said :

In the case of one roadwork sign [Belconnen bound under GDE on Parkes Way – 60 zone all the time], I hate having to slow to 60, then try to get back to 90 just after the turn onto GDE. By the time I get past the 90 zone and hit the 80 before the lights, I’m still struggling to get back beyond 70…dumb low horsepower vehicle. There’s never anyone there and the roadworks are on the slip lane anyway. But what are we to do with these crazy rules but obey and whinge?

That’s the one that is also “bike lane closed” ? That doesn’t mean no bicycles, it means be prepared to find a cyclist in front of you.

wildturkeycanoe said :

In the case of one roadwork sign [Belconnen bound under GDE on Parkes Way – 60 zone all the time], I hate having to slow to 60, then try to get back to 90 just after the turn onto GDE. By the time I get past the 90 zone and hit the 80 before the lights, I’m still struggling to get back beyond 70…dumb low horsepower vehicle. There’s never anyone there and the roadworks are on the slip lane anyway. But what are we to do with these crazy rules but obey and whinge?

I say ignore the roadwork speed limit and if safe go with the general flow of traffic – and if the cops pull you over, start hyperventilating and tell them you were in fear of your life, following threats and some dangerous tailgating manoeuvres by a guy named Mr Gillespie, trying to intimidate you to drive faster.

When the police stare blankly back at you and say ‘Huh? Who?’ just direct them to this post. Wouldn’t take them long to work out who he was and what he’s been up to. And even if they didn’t take it further – they’d probably let you off because the story is so original/ridiculous and they don’t like dealing with crazy people.

wildturkeycanoe8:59 pm 27 Jun 12

In the case of one roadwork sign [Belconnen bound under GDE on Parkes Way – 60 zone all the time], I hate having to slow to 60, then try to get back to 90 just after the turn onto GDE. By the time I get past the 90 zone and hit the 80 before the lights, I’m still struggling to get back beyond 70…dumb low horsepower vehicle. There’s never anyone there and the roadworks are on the slip lane anyway. But what are we to do with these crazy rules but obey and whinge?

ThrowawayAccount6:46 pm 27 Jun 12

I have one of these on order: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/d138/?srp=9

Specifically so people like Mr. Gillespie know how I feel about their driving efforts..

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd6:23 pm 27 Jun 12

Mr Gillespie, you realise most roadworks have no room to pull over? How do you suggest these inconsiderate fu**heads get out of your way and show some fu**cken courtesy?

Mr Gillespie obviously has only one hand on the steering wheel – and as we all know, it’s very hard to slow down for anything when you’re about to come……

Woody Mann-Caruso6:06 pm 27 Jun 12

We need a special Gillespie signal so we know it’s him. If you could start doing ‘shave and a haircut’ with the horn, then ‘five cents’ with your lights, I’ll know it’s you I’m very deliberately holding up.

You can ride my tail any time, Gillespie.

It would be as funny as f*%k if Mr Gillespie and the Antagonist (see Jim’s Mowing post) driving a Ford Territory crashed into each other at a road works.
They could have a blue on the side of the road and nipple cripple each other.

Brilliant, caf! NYT best seller list for sure.

I just wonder why people are so angry.

Apparently speeding, weaving, honking, verbalising and gesticulating are all ways of dynamically increasing the capacity of our road system.

Mr Gillespie said :

caf said :

I look forward to the release of “Mr Gillespie’s Guide To Motherf***ing Etiquette”.

Etiquette goes both ways, sir. If you want to show your “mother-f***king etiquette by holding up the traffic, then I’ll show you my “mother-f***ing” etiquette by telling them in what way the inconsiderate moron asks for, to just get out of the way and let the other driver pass. Won’t cost you anything.

And anyway, where the f*** has Erin Molan gone and who is this galoot with the big scone reading the sport on WIN.

Mr Gillespie said :

caf said :

I look forward to the release of “Mr Gillespie’s Guide To Motherf***ing Etiquette”.

Etiquette goes both ways, sir. If you want to show your “mother-f***king etiquette by holding up the traffic, then I’ll show you my “mother-f***ing” etiquette by telling them in what way the inconsiderate moron asks for, to just get out of the way and let the other driver pass. Won’t cost you anything.

Wow. Just wow. I am going to make every effort to aggravate you and all people like you at every opportunity from now on. Following the speed limit isn’t being inconsiderate, intimidating other drivers for doing so is. The “real” speed limit is whatever the current posted sign says it is, not what you think is reasonable and other drivers aren’t at fault because of your negligence and turd-brained stupidity, you are. In all fairness though, I would probably rail against the Heavens too if I had been cursed at birth with your obvious cognitive deficiencies.

Solidarity said :

EAD, C.

FUaD, W.

Mr Gillespie3:53 pm 27 Jun 12

caf said :

I look forward to the release of “Mr Gillespie’s Guide To Motherf***ing Etiquette”.

Etiquette goes both ways, sir. If you want to show your “mother-f***king etiquette by holding up the traffic, then I’ll show you my “mother-f***ing” etiquette by telling them in what way the inconsiderate moron asks for, to just get out of the way and let the other driver pass. Won’t cost you anything.

Mr Gillespie3:42 pm 27 Jun 12

I just said so didn’t I?

I look forward to the release of “Mr Gillespie’s Guide To Motherf***ing Etiquette”.

And it’s a speed limit, not a requirement, you blithering idiot.

Mr Gillespie said :

That makes no difference, Johnboy. If you want to crawl along, then move out of the way and let someone driving at the real speed limit get past. It is that simple!

Au contraire. foul mouthed posters are not exhibiting any courtesy and should not expect any to be extended to them.

Mr Gillespie3:32 pm 27 Jun 12

That makes no difference, Johnboy. If you want to crawl along, then move out of the way and let someone driving at the real speed limit get past. It is that simple!

Mr Gillespie3:27 pm 27 Jun 12

Then get out of my f***en way, EvanJames. It’s called COURTESY.

I love a man who can drop the F-bomb in the middle of a demand for courtesy to be extended to him.

Mr Gillespie said :

Maybe the Ford Territory was in a hurry (even at 70 in an 80 zone??) and you were getting in his way God dammit!!!, and from what I understand a MAIN ROAD such as Belconnen Way “normally” has an 80km/h speed limit. I am sick and tired of being told to slow down for roadworks

Stop tailgating, Mr Gillespie.

Yes, for a supposedly highly intelligent town I find that some are really quite stupid.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd2:14 pm 27 Jun 12

Mr Gillespie said :

Maybe the Ford Territory was in a hurry (even at 70 in an 80 zone??) and you were getting in his way God dammit!!!, and from what I understand a MAIN ROAD such as Belconnen Way “normally” has an 80km/h speed limit. I am sick and tired of being told to slow down for roadworks, if it “scares the bejesus out of you”, then try not standing so close to the traffic!!! and take a chill pill and remember how many roadworkers have been killed at worksites (ie. NONE).

you can try harder than that, son. at least do not be so obvious in your attempted trolls.

Mr Gillespie2:07 pm 27 Jun 12

Maybe the Ford Territory was in a hurry (even at 70 in an 80 zone??) and you were getting in his way God dammit!!!, and from what I understand a MAIN ROAD such as Belconnen Way “normally” has an 80km/h speed limit. I am sick and tired of being told to slow down for roadworks, if it “scares the bejesus out of you”, then try not standing so close to the traffic!!! and take a chill pill and remember how many roadworkers have been killed at worksites (ie. NONE).

VYBerlinaV8_is_back1:50 pm 27 Jun 12

As silly as some of the driving is around Canberra, I’m starting to think people here get too excited about playing cop.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd12:30 pm 27 Jun 12

Yeah im on the road all day and this constantly happens. If people tailgate i just keep on going slower and slower. Funny thing is most of the time the people riding my ass are in flash cars while im in a bit of a beat up work ute with a flat tray at the end. not really gonna bother me if you run into it, however your territory bumper may cost a bit to replace.

With no particular roadworks in mind….the speed limit is often reduced even when ” no workmen are about” because whatever work is being done may result in changed road conditions or other hazards (equipment,big holes,gravel etc). The speed limit isnt just to protect workers its to protect the driver too.

Part of the issue with traffic though is a sense of waiting your turn etc. Thats why when someone belts up the side and wants to push in we get possibly a little too agitated. And maybe fair enough I know I do sometimes too. 🙂

There is an equally awkward situation with the Marcus Clarke Street roadworks. Heading north, the intersection with Alinga Street is clearly marked: Left lane proceed straight, right lane must turn right (into Alinga). Clearly this arrangement doesn’t fit into some people’s traffic queue-jumping plan, because every afternoon there are idiots rushing up in the right-hand lane, darting through the intersection and muscling back into traffic on the other side.

I had one person try this caper on as I was patiently making my way through the left-hand lane. My failure to yield to their illegal (and dangerous) manouver resulted in the black suit behind the wheel blasting on his horn and gesticulating furiously. With any luck he later suffered a brain aneurysm.

The roadworks nearer Marcus Clarke are 60kph during peak hour as they cover the signs, there’s also a rogue 60kph sign in the middle of them. The signs at Clunies Ross st should also really be covered up when there are no workers on site as the traffic conditions have not changed, all 3 lanes are open each way. People speeding is a consequence of drivers getting annoyed by the contractors not following guidelines..

Solidarity said :

EAD, C.

+1

So Canberra drivers slow the hell down at roadworks.

…….no.

gentoopenguin10:14 am 27 Jun 12

+1

I sit right on the speed limit (work site or permanant) and, despite always driving in the left lane, am continually tailgated by angry drivers who could easily overtake if desired. When this happens, I just look ahead and ignore my rear view mirror until they overtake in disgust or (rarely) drop back. I won’t be bullied into breaking the law, sorry. It’s my dream that one day one of these drivers will rev off and be promptly caught by a speed trap.

EAD, C.

blueterrestra9:39 am 27 Jun 12

+1.

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