Lighting Up Time

Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?
There are a few round my way and all on hills. Many drivers appear to
think there are cameras as part of the sign (nah) and seem surprised
when they slow down and get over(note, over not under)taken by some
ageing fool on two wheels with a big smile.


--

Come to Dave & Boris - your cycle security experts.

"Keith T" wrote in message
...
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?


No, they are completely ignored and therefore useless.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/

Keith T wrote:
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?
They keep local councilors happy because they think "something is being
done".

"Keith T" wrote in message
...
is there any practical use for those signs that light up to show '30'
....
Many drivers appear to think there are cameras as part of the sign (nah)

While they aren't cameras, many do log the speed of each vehicle passing.
This can be used to see if more vigorous means of slowing traffic are
needed.

when they slow down
You seem to have answered your own question. Isn't the point of them to
encourage people to slow down to within the limit?

Keith T wrote:
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?

According to the TRL they are very effective at reducing the number of
drivers who exceed the speed limit - thus removing the need to use speed
cameras.

--
Matt B

"Matt B" wrote in message
...
Keith T wrote:
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?

According to the TRL they are very effective at reducing the number of
drivers who exceed the speed limit - thus removing the need to use speed
cameras.

Surely if they are activated then the law has already been broken? A camera
would recognise that whereas a warning sign is no deterrent at all, besides
the previous point that an excessively triggered warning sign may lead to a
camera in the end.


--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/

Simon Mason wrote:

"Matt B" wrote in message
...
Keith T wrote:
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use
for those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists
grin when they get them to operate?

According to the TRL they are very effective at reducing the number of
drivers who exceed the speed limit - thus removing the need to use
speed cameras.

Surely if they are activated then the law has already been broken?

Not necessarily. Because they aren't used as evidence to prosecute they
can be set to trigger at exactly, or even below the speed limit.

A
camera would recognise that whereas a warning sign is no deterrent at
all,

The point is to slow people, not necessarily prosecute them, and these
signs are apparently very good at that. If the road system design is so
poor that speeds are too high for safety limits are important, then
these signs are

besides the previous point that an excessively triggered warning
sign may lead to a camera in the end.

Only if they don't work.

--
Matt B

Matt B wrote:

The point is to slow people, not necessarily prosecute them, and these
signs are apparently very good at that.

Not when lighting them up is an achievemnt ;-)


--

Come to Dave & Boris - your cycle security experts.

On May 17, 10:45*am, "Graculus"
wrote:
"Keith T" wrote in message

...

is there any practical use for *those signs that light up to show '30'
...
Many drivers appear to think there are cameras as part of the sign (nah)

While they aren't cameras, many do log the speed of each vehicle passing.
This can be used to see if more vigorous means of slowing traffic are
needed.

....or rather, if the speed limit is inappropriately low.

Drivers doing the 85th percentile speed are the safest, whether the
car-haters like it or not.

Keith T wrote:
Leading on from the bike computer thread is there any practical use for
those signs that light up to show '30' other than making cyclists grin
when they get them to operate?
There are a few round my way and all on hills. Many drivers appear to
think there are cameras as part of the sign (nah) and seem surprised
when they slow down and get over(note, over not under)taken by some
ageing fool on two wheels with a big smile.

They installed a couple of these on Whiteladies road near me late last
year, or early this year. At the same time they installed a couple of
speed cameras a hundred or so yards behind them. (One sign + camera in
each direction). If anyone does get caught be these cameras, then they
deserve the points due to the reminder to slow down, and the nature of
the road.

Martin.