Dot matrix misuse / overuse.

Terrontress

Does anyone think that having overhead dot matrix signs constantly on reduces their effectiveness?

One example that really gets me is approaching the port tunnel, the signs are lit with the lights on the edges flashing. The message? "Tunnel open. Non tunnel traffic keep left".

Last night I headed North in the tunnel and the sign was on to signify "Incident in tunnel". God knows how you're supposed to react to that. The tunnel wasn't closed and I had no intention of getting involved in the incident, which I didn't see.

Anyway, when these signs are on 24/7 either stating what is the normal state of affairs or else "System under test" or "Don't drink and drive" as we see in Northern Ireland; it makes people less likely to take note of them when they are giving important safety information or even useful traffic information.

If they are only used for important information then when people see them illuminated in the distance they will make sure they pay them proper attention when they are close enough to read them.

RadioCity

Theres one of those signs at the Port end of the tunnel which says in one of its messages " Cars Keep Right" which is technically correct as it refers to the toll booth layout, but taken too literally as cars think they "own" the right hand lane in the tunnel and they could quite rightly say that they were just following what the sign said!

To be fair in NI, the messages on the matrix signs which give traffic information such as "Delays after next junction", "Caution Strong Winds" or "Gritting In Progress" are always displayed with the top and bottom corner lights flashing alternately. Other messages do not show have this feature.

I must say that some of the matricies (?) on the M1 are badly underused, sometimes maybe with good reason. Before Christmas I was driving down the M1, straight into a queue from just after Lissenhall until the M50. The overhead sign (before Lissenhall) could have easily displayed a bit of helpful info such as:
"Queue Ahead, Reduce Speed", "Delays at M50 Junction" or "Delays ahead, For Airport Follow R132 Swords".
A few months ago, they displayed a message about the new Bus Lanes on the Quays but bog all about the endlessly congested M50 which would have been infintely more helpful or whether there were delays at Whitehall.

Del2005

And the fact that they give out incorrect informantion isn't helpfull either. Last year they where saying the fast lane on the M1 was closed

RadioCity

Del2005 wrote: »

the fast lane on the M1

Ugh. I hate that term. The "fast lane" implies that one lane is faster than the other when both have the same speed limit. I have seen it used on signage and is irresponsible.

Hotblack Desiato

RadioCity wrote: »

Ugh. I hate that term. The "fast lane" implies that one lane is faster than the other when both have the same speed limit. I have seen it used on signage and is irresponsible.

Worse than that, it implies that if you're going "fast enough" (30km/h under the limit, in some people's estimation) you can just sit in blissful ignorance in the right hand lane.

Terrontress

Last week I saw an electronic sign at the M50 roadworks to say that people going to Ballymount should take the slow lane.

This reinforces the thoughts of people that they don't think they are going slow at 100km/h so they can sit in the overtaking lane.

If the people in here can see what is wrong with that then why can't the people whose job is placing these signs!

Bards

maybe because a lot of people don't know their left from their right:D

testicle

RadioCity wrote: »

Theres one of those signs at the Port end of the tunnel which says in one of its messages " Cars Keep Right" which is technically correct as it refers to the toll booth layout, but taken too literally as cars think they "own" the right hand lane in the tunnel and they could quite rightly say that they were just following what the sign said!

They do, trucks cant use it!

murphaph

testicle wrote: »

They do, trucks cant use it!

What about motorcycles then?

Del2005

Bards wrote: »

maybe because a lot of people don't know their left from their right:D

If thats the case how do they drive on the right side of the road?:D:D

RadioCity

testicle wrote: »

They do, trucks cant use it!

I presume you mean trucks can't use the right hand lane in the tunnel? That is right but just about everything else can , including 2-axle buses and light vehicles.