Slow down day...again

Atlantic Dawn

Hopefully they take some people off the road driving in the fasccccccchhhhhhhhhttttttttttttttt lane of the motorway.

Duckjob

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050812#Comment_118050812

By all means, write to your local superintendent about that.

... But in the meantime, you can still take care not to speed on National Slow Down Day. It's not either/or.

highdef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050812#Comment_118050812

Whilst I think that would be a great idea in principle, the Gardai could pull those drivers over but there's no point as there's no offence being committed for driving at 60 in an 80 or 100 zone with a big queue behind you as long as you are following the rules of the road otherwise. It's very annoying alright but not much that can be done.

Even though I drive right at the limit whenever I safely can, if I am driving on a good wide road (an ex-N road for example) at 80 in an 80 zone and someone comes up behind me, I will move to the left (if safe to do so) and let them pass. Whilst I don't speed myself, I'm not going to police other drivers if they choose to speed. If the person wants to drive faster than the limit, I am of the opinion that it's quite likely that they could be an aggressive type driver so I'd rather let them pass in an area that I would consider to be a safe place for me to pull over rather them have them perform a dangerous maneuverer having being behind me for several minutes or more, possibly putting me in danger in the process.

Jeremy Sproket

Is there anything to be said for a "Keep Left Unless Overtaking Day"?

highdef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118054523#Comment_118054523

Yes, should be enforced and be punishable, IMO.

MBE220d

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118054517#Comment_118054517

I have no problem with people driving slow, but is it too much to ask them to move over if it is possible, I know there is no law to say you have to. But the likes tractor drivers can be fined for causing tailbacks and some of these new tractors are travelling a lot faster the some of these slow drivers that hog the road.

newcavanman

Certainly wasn't an issue on the roads yesterday, crash everywhere 😂😂

MBE220d

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118054093#Comment_118054093

National revenue collection day more like, but thanks for your concern anyway.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050812#Comment_118050812

A lot more speeders cause accidents and an accident at speed is more likely to be fatal or serious.

Strumms

I’m reading there are 45 dedicated mobile speed detection vans in the country.

That’s averaging about less then two vans (it’s 1.7) per county.

BronsonTB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118055569#Comment_118055569

Don't forget all the garda speed check vans & patrol cars that also do regular speed checks. The go safe vans are in addition.

looksee

If the idiot who came round a corner on a rural road over the centre line because he was not in control of his vehicle, because he was going too fast, had slowed down to an appropriate speed he would not have taken off my side mirror. That is now costing me €120 to replace, plus a 1.5 hour round trip to get it done. Hopefully he did a similar amount of damage to himself.

On the other hand, another few inches and the car would have been sideswiped, so I suppose I should be grateful. But god forbid anyone should suggest people should slow down, because what about...

Duckjob

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118055455#Comment_118055455

Any other deflections or diversions do you want to throw out ?

If it was about revenue collection why would they go to all the time and expense of publicising a day- they can go out anytime and catch people. Or maybe we just need to grow up a little and act like the mature adults we're supposed to be when we're entrusted with piloting potentially deadly vehicles.

MBE220d

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118056795#Comment_118056795

It's cars we are talking about here not fighter jets, why don't they start with cutting the potentially deadly hedges along the side of the roads which is a lot more deadly than speeding around my way,

Duckjob

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057052#Comment_118057052

Hedges can be an issue, I agree.. Go to a country like NL they're close to obsessive (in a good way) about maintaining clear lines of sights at junctions and ares of potential conflict. Once again though, it's not either/or.

Really, 3 people on average die on our roads every week. Is it really so very hard to just say- "You know what, whatever else is wrong with the roads I'll try to do this as my own contribution towards safer roads ?"

highdef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057052#Comment_118057052

I have lived in a rural area for 12 years and there are hedges on the sides of all the roads. Not once have I had reason to think that they are deadly. They're pretty static, only moving a couple of inches in high winds. How are they such a threat to my life? Quite concerned now that I have gone 12 years not knowing that hedges can somehow kill me. I walk and drive past them all the time!

PsychoPete

Do these slow down days actually make an impact?

BronsonTB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057271#Comment_118057271

Overall it is a PR exercise - Be seen to do something positive

But they did catch over 490 so I'm sure it's impacted a few of them

MBE220d

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057156#Comment_118057156

Good for you that you have hedges that don't grow. What type are the as I have yet to see one that doesn't grow out?

highdef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057836#Comment_118057836

They're fairly mixed but hawthorn would be the majority. They do of course grow but they are cut in the spring and autumn by the landowners. They were all cut a few weeks ago and everything looks lovely and neat and trim now. Can you show any examples of hedging that has grown across a roadway? I can't say that it's something I've ever witnessed except maybe after a storm when some tree or hedge limbs have been damaged.

It's almost certain that someone owns the land where you are seeing hedges growing out across the roadway. The landowner is responsible for ensuring that their hedging does not pose a danger to people. If you feel that such hedging is posing a safety risk, I would urge you to report it to the relevant authority. At least you can be satisfied that you've done your bit.

looksee

And more whatabout, whatabout, whatabout. Yes, certainly keep the hedges cut - though I live rural with very narrow roads and I can't say that the hedges are that much of an issue - but that doesn't mean you should not also slow down.

highdef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118058135#Comment_118058135

Yeah, I don't really get the dangerous hedge thing either despite living in a rural area with very narrow roads and hedges beside every road, just like yourself.

Lets say I'm driving on a narrow rural road and am approaching a slight bend that would have clear sight lines if there were no hedges but due to a hedge growing out slightly I can't see beyond the bend (TBH it doesn't even have to be growing out more than normal, any hedge or in fact ANY object that blocks your view applies here). Do I continue to drive at the same speed as I was doing along the straight stretch? Of course I don't. I slow to a speed whereby if something or someone was on the roadway half way or at the end of the bend, I can stop without hitting the person/object.

There's nothing dangerous about the hedge itself, it 's just one of dozens of hazards that are encountered daily. The danger here is the driver. If the driver drives at too high a speed and hits something around the bend, it's the driver him/herself who caused the danger in the first place.

Next of all we will have people complaining that the sharp corners of kerbs on footpaths are slowing drivers down because they have to slow down so much because they can't cut corners. 😁

looksee

Its a bit reminiscent of American tourists complaining that their hire car gets scratched up on the hedges and I'm thinking that I have been driving here for decades with several cars and can't say that I have ever noticed bodywork damage from hedges.

Phil.x

Was anyone aware of this day?

mikeecho

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118059166#Comment_118059166

I don't think the chief super is even aware.

He has the device, upside down and the wrong way around.

Still stihl waters 3

The bollox doing 80 k on the motorway is as bad as the bollox doing 80 k on a bad winding road, if you're holding up hgvs on a motorway you shouldn't be on it

ofcork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118054574#Comment_118054574

Exactly i was behind a guy yesterday heading up towards carrs hill in cork, as you come off the south ring you end up in the right hand lane but obviously should pull into the left but would he,not a hope.