11 May 2011

To think people get paid to do road signage

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road signs

This photo was taken on Uriarra Rd looking south toward Cotter Rd (map).

As you progress along the road you pass a sign telling you that you have entered a roadwork zone, and that the speed limit has been reduced to 40km/h. Then you come to where the photo was taken, at which point the signs tell you:

— Firstly, the road work ends, and simultaneously the speed limit is restored to the usual 80km/h.

— Second, twenty or thirty metres on another sign reinforces the message that the roadwork has in fact ended, however it simultaneously reduces the speed to 60km/h (it does not explain why exactly it is doing this. Clearly not for roadwork purposes, since they have just told us twice that roadworks have ended,

— Thirdly, a further twenty metres down the road, there is a sign informing us that “Police enforce roadwork speed limits”. This seems redundant AFTER the (repeated) ending of a roadwork zone.

Now I think that the reason this has occurred revolves around this bit of road being somewhat in the middle of several parts of the construction of a new suburb, and the various changes to traffic conditions which result.

However, I would like to suggest that if a situation is sufficiently important/dangerous to rate changes to road signage, then they are important enough to make the signs both correct, and clear.

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thatsnotme said :

I was interested to see that the speed limits in this area have been changed in the last week, and this signage is no longer there. The 40km/h zone that was in place from the Coppins Crossing road intersection to the 60km/h sign in the picture above is no longer in place, so now there is just the 60km/h zone that stretches past the area where trucks and construction equipment is parked, enters and exits the road.

The whole arrangement makes way more sense now – sanity has prevailed!

Yup, I noticed the change and have been meaning to comment. I not though that the signs have simply been tossed into the ditch beside the road (I assume incase they need them again soon?).

I was interested to see that the speed limits in this area have been changed in the last week, and this signage is no longer there. The 40km/h zone that was in place from the Coppins Crossing road intersection to the 60km/h sign in the picture above is no longer in place, so now there is just the 60km/h zone that stretches past the area where trucks and construction equipment is parked, enters and exits the road.

The whole arrangement makes way more sense now – sanity has prevailed!

colourful sydney racing identity1:04 pm 12 May 11

Jim Jones said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Oh, I’m actually surprised, too, that the usual suspects haven’t piped up yet.

Same here.

Me too.

Where are they?

Must be running late for work – price they pay for obeying speed limits I guess

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Oh, I’m actually surprised, too, that the usual suspects haven’t piped up yet.

Same here.

Me too.

Where are they?

Holden Caulfield11:27 am 12 May 11

thatsnotme said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Haha, sorry mate, it was a wind up. Check some of the earlier discussions on road use on RA to find my inspiration.

Ahh – well, consider me wound then! I guess that’s what I get for replying at the end of a long day…

No problems at all.

colourful sydney racing identity10:49 am 12 May 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Oh, I’m actually surprised, too, that the usual suspects haven’t piped up yet.

Same here.

Holden Caulfield said :

Haha, sorry mate, it was a wind up. Check some of the earlier discussions on road use on RA to find my inspiration.

Ahh – well, consider me wound then! I guess that’s what I get for replying at the end of a long day…

Holden Caulfield10:14 am 12 May 11

Oh, I’m actually surprised, too, that the usual suspects haven’t piped up yet.

Holden Caulfield10:13 am 12 May 11

thatsnotme said :

Holden Caulfield said :

Too important to obey the road rules.

Got it.

Holier than thou. Got it.

Care to point out anywhere I said that I ignore the roadwork limits? Obeying a speed limit, and thinking it makes no sense whatsoever, aren’t mutually exclusive. But I guess you’d be pushing it to hit 40 from that high horse of yours anyway.

Haha, sorry mate, it was a wind up. Check some of the earlier discussions on road use on RA to find my inspiration.

Thoroughly Smashed9:29 am 12 May 11

Mr Gillespie said :

What is it with the idiots that keep putting 80, 60 and 40 signs close together ALL THE TIME????

Because they’re most likely separate projects and different contractors, who each have a responsibility to follow the temporary traffic management guidelines to the letter.

Mr Gillespie said :

If you want me to do 40, GET RID OF THE 80 AND 60 SIGNS!!!!!!!!

Blimey.

Mr Gillespie7:46 pm 11 May 11

What is it with the idiots that keep putting 80, 60 and 40 signs close together ALL THE TIME????

What speed limit do you want me to do? 80, 60 or 40?

If you want me to do 40, GET RID OF THE 80 AND 60 SIGNS!!!!!!!!

Holden Caulfield said :

Too important to obey the road rules.

Got it.

And when the signs are as stupid as this? That’s a very trite and ridiculous statement, HC.

I’ve been past these signs a number of times and wonder about the mental faculties of those who put them up. And I agree with thatsnotme, there are no actual “road” works around this particular area, so the signs are completely unnecessary.

Holden Caulfield said :

Too important to obey the road rules.

Got it.

Holier than thou. Got it.

Care to point out anywhere I said that I ignore the roadwork limits? Obeying a speed limit, and thinking it makes no sense whatsoever, aren’t mutually exclusive. But I guess you’d be pushing it to hit 40 from that high horse of yours anyway.

GottaLoveCanberra5:38 pm 11 May 11

Fiona said :

I vote you try to hit 80 between the signs.

Easily done.

And I did lol when I saw this on the weekend.

Holden Caulfield said :

Too important to obey the road rules.

Got it.

I agree that we should obey the road rules, particularly in road works as there is an increased risk of accident and/or injury. That being said, though, cases such as that shown tend to de-sensitise us to that risk. Even while obeying the law we may not be paying sufficient attention.

Inappropriate signage around roadworks isn’t in anyone’s best interest, whether it be cases such as this, or, a pet hate of mine, leaving the roadworks signs out when everyone’s left the site and there is no longer an increased risk.

PrinceOfAles4:47 pm 11 May 11

Sheesh it`s not that hard to work out. The first sign is for tradies in utes and the second sign is for everyone else.

Holden Caulfield4:36 pm 11 May 11

Too important to obey the road rules.

Got it.

Ha, I pass this a couple of times a week normally, and it is mind boggling.

I still have no idea why the speed limit has been reduced to 40 in that stretch either. All the construction works are happening well off the road, there is no work happening near the road itself, and one access road in the entire section that doesn’t look as though it’s big enough for any heavy construction vehicles. It’s hardly surprising that drivers ignore roadwork speed limits, when there is absolutely nothing to slow down for.

I vote you try to hit 80 between the signs.

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