Roads that need to be improved

[Zoe]

I think the 40mph limit is law, due to safety.

It is law yes, I was just not sure how safe it would be to have trucks running at 50 mph. Even with a 40 mph limit though I think there could be a case for banning overtaking.

 

[HST Power]

As far as trucks are concerned, I agree with you. There are some parts of road where they should not be allowed to overtake under any circumstances.
I've witnessed first hand HGV's smashing into one another whilst trying to make the jump on small, highly dangerous roads.

 

[Zoe]

Well I don't even think cars should be overtaking trucks on single carriageways. If the derestricted speed on single carriageways for cars was reduced to 50 mph then they would only have to go 10 mph slower when stuck behind a truck.

 

[HST Power]

True. But to be honest, people would still overtake, even with just a 5mph difference they wouldn't have the patience and in a lot of cases, the basic sense that overtaking a truck on a single carriageway is crazy.

 

[starrymarkb]

I'm quite cautious on overtaking on SC roads. Prefer to have a clear view a long way up the road before even considering it

 

[HST Power]

I'm quite cautious on overtaking on SC roads. Prefer to have a clear view a long way up the road before even considering it

That's what everyone should do. The problem is, a handful of newly qualified, younger drivers think they're Schumacer when they get behind the wheel, and consequently drive in a ridiculous manner out on some of the most dangerous and narrow roads. I saw a young driver in an old Citroen the other day (he looked barely into his twenties) squeezing past a HGV in the face of heavy on coming traffic.

 

[Tomnick]

Well I don't even think cars should be overtaking trucks on single carriageways. If the derestricted speed on single carriageways for cars was reduced to 50 mph then they would only have to go 10 mph slower when stuck behind a truck.

Rubbish. Overtaking in the correct circumstances, with sufficient forward visibility and an awareness of potential hazards, is no more dangerous than other actions that motorists routinely carry out. The opportunities to do so much less than in times gone by, I'm sure, but as an example I overtook an HGV on a straight stretch of the A614 south of Five Lanes' End on Friday evening. Oncoming traffic sufficiently far away, no junctions - what's the problem?

 

[142094]

One thing I do know is that building new motorways will not solve problems with congestion. First step would to be look at why there is so much traffic on the roads in the first place and try and reduce it that way. Even in the late 60s people were thinking that predict and provide was not the answer, yet we stil havel spent a great deal on new roads ever since and continue to do so.

 

[Zoe]

Overtaking in the correct circumstances, with sufficient forward visibility and an awareness of potential hazards, is no more dangerous than other actions that motorists routinely carry out. The opportunities to do so much less than in times gone by, I'm sure, but as an example I overtook an HGV on a straight stretch of the A614 south of Five Lanes' End on Friday evening. Oncoming traffic sufficiently far away, no junctions - what's the problem?

The problem is as stated above, too many people think they are Michael Schumacher and attempt dangerous overtaking moves.

Even in the late 60s people were thinking that predict and provide was not the answer, yet we stil havel spent a great deal on new roads ever since and continue to do so.

Actually there hasn't been that much invenstment in recent years. There are some cases where roads upgrades are needed. Public transport is undoubtly the best way of getting around within large cities where building new roads would be very disruptive expensive but there is a case for new roads. Motorways are not expected to solve congestion issues within cities as that is not what they are for but what they do is take traffic out of villages that used to be on busy roads. I am not suggesting complete new motorways should be built though, just upgrades of existing roads.

 

[Tomnick]

I doubt those who drive dangerously now would really take much notice of a ban on overtaking. They can be prosecuted for various offences if caught driving dangerously, so I don't think there's a need to specifically ban one particular action that's not generally dangerous.

 

[LE Greys]

TBH you might as well give the M10 name to the A1M as renumbering the M1 then immediatly re-using the number for another road has the potential for mass confusion. Especially with those using paper atlases

The Great North Road has to be the country's primary road, either A1 or M1 in various combination. If it wasn't for the historical accident of the M1 being a road that follows the M5, then diverts north (or stops in the the middle of Leicestershire originally) then the A1(M) would be the M1 (and probably the M1 would be the M5, and the M5 the M38). I'm just trying to restore some of the status of the Great North Road - which I happen to live on. The old alignment passes right through Graveley High Street, then joins a Roman road just north of the village. If the project ever happens, I would live on the A1000 rather than the B197.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Doing something about middle-lane hogging is another problem, but I can't see at being as bad as someone chugging down a single carriageway A-road at 40 mph in clear weather, practically on the crown of the road. I mean cars here, not goods vehicles. That causes a lot of risky overtaking moves. I can understand some older or nervous drivers sticking to 40, but why not leave a bit more room? From experience of towing boats, it's best to stay as far left as possible, making it easier for people to get past, and certainly improving their forward vision. To improve things, I'd like to see some changes to the law counting both this and the middle-lane problem as "Unduly holding up traffic", which is probably more dangerous than speeding.

 

[HST Power]

I doubt those who drive dangerously now would really take much notice of a ban on overtaking.

Unfortunately, he's right. It's the sole reason we are having this debate!

 

[Tomnick]

Exactly! If overtaking were to be banned because a minority choose to take unacceptable risks overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic (frustrated, perhaps, by the lack of suitable opportunity to get past a slow driver), then surely we should ban, for example, right turns from a minor road, on the basis that some drivers choose to make their turn with traffic approaching very closely from their right (frustrated, perhaps, by the lack of a suitable gap in the traffic). Neither overtaking nor right turns are particularly dangerous if done sensibly, but both can cause a very serious accident if risks are taken.

 

[GearJammer]

I happen to know plenty of Truck drivers who will do 50 mph (and in some cases more) on single carriageway roads, theres nothing wrong with it provided the individual driver knows that you don't HAVE to do 50mph and that you slow down if the conditions warrant it! I think all vehicles should be limited to 50mph on single carriageway roads, that way it illiminates the need to overtake. Unfortunetly theres to many people who will drive flat out regardless of the conditions because they just have absolutely no hazard awareness skills!
I don't actually think speeding/breaking the road limit is that dangerous if it is done safely!

 

[starrymarkb]

The Great North Road has to be the country's primary road, either A1 or M1 in various combination. If it wasn't for the historical accident of the M1 being a road that follows the M5, then diverts north (or stops in the the middle of Leicestershire originally) then the A1(M) would be the M1 (and probably the M1 would be the M5, and the M5 the M38). I'm just trying to restore some of the status of the Great North Road - which I happen to live on.

Though the A1 doesn't really serve as many places as the M1 - and for Scotland it's more direct to take the M6 (Edinburgh is West of Preston)

 

[Zoe]

If you go via the M6 though to Edinburgh you have 40 miles of single carriageway from Abington. Unlike the A1 there are no short dual carriageway sections on the A702. From the North East the A1 is the best route.