AA Roadwatch

corktina

Is there any point in listening to these reports.

This AM leaving Mallow they reported an accident in Rathduff (>10 mins away), road blocked and delays building fast.When I got there, there was NOTHING amiss save a broken down lorry on the shoulder.

The other thing is practically every morning they report delays on the SRR twixt Bandon rd and Wilton roundabouts and at the tunnel roundabout. We know that, why bother?

Are these real reports or do they just fill up the airtime that they are paying for?

DWCommuter

They're a joke. It took me years to realise that they don't update their reports. Listening to them on local radio in Dublin is a panic as you can imagine how quickly things change up here. They had a fender bender on the N11 near Foxrock one evening causing tailbacks to Stillorgan. (5pm report) I was drinking pints outside the Galloping Green pub in the area at 7pm and they were still reporting it with traffic flying along the N11.

They should just stick to helping manicured women change punctures. As commentators on Dublin traffic, they're about as relevent as the DTO.

Tarabuses

corktina wrote: »

Is there any point in listening to these reports.

None whatsoever.

Jip

I gave up taking notice of their reports long ago, in fact if they tell you to avoid somewhere you're often better going that way ! They usually throw out the same oul reports day in day out.

The only decent reports in Dublin anyway to listen to are from Dublin City FM, the lads are based out of the traffic dept with access to all the traffic cameras so you can't get a more up to date report.

JayeL

Jip wrote: »

The only decent reports in Dublin anyway to listen to are from Dublin City FM, the lads are based out of the traffic dept with access to all the traffic cameras so you can't get a more up to date report.

Dunno how they'd be any different to AA Roadwatch, they have a member of staff based in the DCC camera control room at peak times.

cyclopath2001

corktina wrote: »

Are these real reports or do they just fill up the airtime that they are paying for?

They're real reports but out-of-date and rather pointless.

They're infomercials and help maintain the AA's spurious claim to represent the views of Irish motorists.

Roanmore

corktina wrote: »

Is there any point in listening to these reports.

This AM leaving Mallow they reported an accident in Rathduff (>10 mins away), road blocked and delays building fast.When I got there, there was NOTHING amiss save a broken down lorry on the shoulder.

The other thing is practically every morning they report delays on the SRR twixt Bandon rd and Wilton roundabouts and at the tunnel roundabout. We know that, why bother?

Are these real reports or do they just fill up the airtime that they are paying for?

I agree what you say about AA Roadwatch but there was an accident there yesterday morning and traffic was held up. A car had overturned.

steyr fan

JayeL wrote: »

Dunno how they'd be any different to AA Roadwatch, they have a member of staff based in the DCC camera control room at peak times.

Dublin City FM (103.something) have an interactive traffic reporting programme every am from 7 till 10, and every pm from 4 till 7. There are about 9 traffic reports per hour, with music inbetween, and can be quite entertaining.
They use the cameras, but also the public listeners text in with delalys, incidents, ect. It is as up to the minute type of traffic report there is. Give it a listen sometime (in Dublin only; aplolgies to our country cousins).

corktina

Roanmore wrote: »

I agree what you say about AA Roadwatch but there was an accident there yesterday morning and traffic was held up. A car had overturned.

no doubt there was but their report was at least an hour out of date as there wasnt even any debris to be seen never mind the Accidenrt Investigation branch if we have one.

Redsoxfan

Somewhat related, 'TA' function on car radios don't seem to work/function in Ireland-anyone know why-is it up to the radio stations to put it in place?

L1011

Its up to the radio stations; a rare rare few do it.

Owenw

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Somewhat related, 'TA' function on car radios don't seem to work/function in Ireland-anyone know why-is it up to the radio stations to put it in place?

Some people were annoyed by the inturruptions and complained, so the Radio stations stopped using the feature.

There was a rumour that some stations would forget to turn off the "TA flag" for a time after the announcement had ended, in an attempt to snag extra listeners.


Anyone know if TMC will ever be implemented here for Sat Navs in the near to distant future?

Chris_533976

After the fight they had to prise maps out of Ordnance Survey Over here, and with the maps still shambolic compared to other countries (there are huge rivers missing), I'd say the last thing the GPS companies will do is battle this country for something as sensible as traffic updates.

JayeL

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Somewhat related, 'TA' function on car radios don't seem to work/function in Ireland-anyone know why-is it up to the radio stations to put it in place?

I heard an AA guy asked about this once, apparently they tried using the TA signal for the Roadwatch reports on Radio 1 but they were inundated with complaints from people who couldn't work their radios and were getting frustrated at having their CD/cassette or other radio station interrupted. So it never got past the pilot stage.

corktina

Owenw wrote: »

Some people were annoyed by the inturruptions and complained, so the Radio stations stopped using the feature.

There was a rumour that some stations would forget to turn off the "TA flag" for a time after the announcement had ended, in an attempt to snag extra listeners.


Anyone know if TMC will ever be implemented here for Sat Navs in the near to distant future?

typical, all they had to do is turn off the TA option.I was in the UK before Xmas and it was an excellent system there, it was only the local stations reports that cut in.

AugustusMaximus

Absolutely useless.

And they always start with.

Icey condition - So slow down
Wet conditions - So slow down
Dry perfect condition - So slow down.

Owenw

corktina wrote: »

typical, all they had to do is turn off the TA option.I was in the UK before Xmas and it was an excellent system there, it was only the local stations reports that cut in.

It's pretty much essential when you're travelling in the UK.

Very impressive when you hear the announcement before you hit a tailback or accident and can make a diversion.
They even warn you when variable speed limits on the M25 are about to be used on a stretch just ahead.

It pains me that a few luddites can hobble services like this.
Now we have a proper motorway network and huge increases in car-use over the past decade, it's high-time TA/TP services were reintroduced.

Redsoxfan

Owenw wrote: »

It's pretty much essential when you're travelling in the UK.

Very impressive when you hear the announcement before you hit a tailback or accident and can make a diversion.
They even warn you when variable speed limits on the M25 are about to be used on a stretch just ahead.

It pains me that a few luddites can hobble services like this.
Now we have a proper motorway network and huge increases in car-use over the past decade, it's high-time TA/TP services were reintroduced.

+1 all the way-when I was picking up the car in the UK last year, I found it very good.

If what posters above have said is true, it all sounds a bit, em, 'Irish' over here....

Redsoxfan

MYOB wrote: »

Its up to the radio stations; a rare rare few do it.

Do you know of any offhand?

cyclopath2001

Radio? TA bulletins? That's soooo 90's:

This is the future:

Toyota USA goes all chatty

Embedded Lexus phones sell you stuff

By Bill Ray
Posted in 'The Register' Hardware, 9th January 2009 18:12 GMT

Toyota USA has announced a bundle of new electronics for the Lexus and other Toyota models, including the ability for the company to send you voice mail based on your location and interests: no subscription required.

The new package is designed to compete with GM's OnStar service, with much of the same functionality. Both systems use an embedded mobile phone that can report accidents and track the vehicle if it's stolen, as well as calling roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown. Lexus owners will be able to get the Enform package which includes weather reports, restaurant locators and operator-assisted searches for any other business needed - and the unsolicited voice messages too.

The voice messages will be delivered to the car, and the driver will be alerted when they start up the car so they can listen while driving to whatever message Toyota feels would be most edifying. That could include, apparently, tips on using the vehicle's features, suggestions for a scenic drive or information on local events based on the customer's ZIP code.

Accusations of verbal spam are rejected by the company that promises to exhibit restraint. So that's OK then. We're sure they'll never be tempted to sell your location to advertisers eager to (literally) speak to you.

The voice mail comes without a subscription, the rest of the package is pre-installed in the car and activated on purchase with a one-year free trial with purchase of the car. ®

DMC

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Do you know of any offhand?

South East Radio did it before, not sure if they still do it. Why Wexford would have traffic jams, is anyones guess! Probably useful before the Gorey bypass.

KevR

Never found AA roadwatch to be much good.

Galway Bay FM have decent enough traffic reports/updates. They have a fella out driving around Galway on a motorbike and he comes on air to give the traffic reports. Also, listeners text in updates which are read out on the air.