Driving in Waterford!

BBM77

Is it just me or has the behaviour of drivers gotten even worst lately? (Not that it was ever that great.) Don’t do much driving, mostly just around the city. But drivers have just become so aggressive when driving. It is a constant thing these days went I’m driving and cycling that people wait at stop signs, even when there is time to go, and wait till you get closer so they can drive out in front of you. Similarly, pedestrians go as slow possible when crossing the road even though again there is plenty of time to cross the road. People won’t stop at pedestrian, have seen children nearly run over a number of times because of the driver pretending to not see the red light. Why do people feel the need to be such assholes on the roads?

Wanderer2010

I cant say I noticed drivers around the city being worse than usual but I agree about the number of drivers who see a red light as optional, with particular black spots being the top of Bunkers Hill, the filter light turning right towards Lombard Street near the Tower, and the top of Yellow Road. I know they are short times but its not worth killing somebody just because you are annoyed or in a rush.

Cabaal

Standard of driving in Ireland is fairly shocking,

People putting getting somewhere 30sec faster above other people's lives.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

Pedestrian crossing by the plaza/McLeary's on the quay is a significant black spot, nobody stops there to let you cross. Had a driver beep at me for crossing there the other day even though I was already on the crossing by the time he came off the roundabout at the post office.

aziz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118817838#Comment_118817838

I found that crossing to be quite good regarding drivers stopping,

the crossings on ballybricken are another story though

Speak Now

The lights coming out of Ballybeg at the old Crystal site are a nightmare, always 2/3 vehicle's rush through after red. You wouldn't want to be quick off the mark when you get the green light going out the cork rd from town side.

blueflame

Truing right at the top of the Folly - the number of times drivers , and not just one, often two or three in a row, come through a red light is unreal - and they always tend to just keep looking straight ahead as if to say i don't see you, you cannot blame me.

Valhalla90

The Tramore road is a nightmare when caught behind someone daydreaming and going below the 80km.

iseegirls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118819217#Comment_118819217

80 kph is the speed limit on it & it is regulary policed but I can understand to a point what you are saying.

BBM77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118818704#Comment_118818704

Yeah, the one at top of The Glen and Francis St is mildly terrifying.

Wanderer2010

Saw two lads almost come to blows at the roundabout by the Golden Fry near Johns Park. First fellow was coming up from the Ring Road and turning right to go to St Johns Park, and he was in the center of the roundabout. Lad behind him also turning right and he was in the right hand side of the roundabout- he must have presumed the first lad was heading up the Folly. So the first lad was slowly heading into Johns Park and of course the second guy was hot on his tail, nearly crashed into him and blew him the horn. First guy stops car, rolls down the window and yells "Theres only one lane, you fcuking pr!ck" and the other fellow was shouting something back about being in the wrong lane, and there was some fist shaking, but it was all hot air in the end, as they both just drove on! I dont think a lot of people know that there arent two sections to that roundabout, and rightfully so given how tiny it is!

johnnykilo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118821132#Comment_118821132

It used to be 2 lanes there for years, but then they (quite rightly) changed it to one. You often see two cars queuing up at the junction there though. I'm surprised what you described doesn't happen more often.

Speak Now

People don't note road signs and assume every roundabout is the same. Roundabout outside the train station and 2 roundabouts on Tramore Rd (inner/outer ring roads) are prime examples.

hardybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118817838#Comment_118817838

Are you talking about cars failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing or people not letting you cross somewhere where there isn't a pedestrian crossing?

Always amused at the amount of people who are too lazy to walk a few yards to the right place to cross.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118822224#Comment_118822224

The pedestrian crossing was literally the first thing I said?

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118821438#Comment_118821438

altered roundabouts are a dangerous idea, the human brain is programmed to make assumptions about common situations, these type of roundabouts are not the norm, so many will default, thinking that all roundabouts have the same rules. im sure lanes are altered for various different safety reasons, but by doing so, we could be preventing some issues, but be simultaneously creating different issues....

iseegirls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118821288#Comment_118821288

I think it's 2 lanes coming out of the city direction (the florist side), which may complicate things.

I wish they knocked down the chipper and laundrette, and created a nicer wider area and proper safer non-oval roundabout there. Instead it'll be even more congested with more apartments being built in behind the Golden Fry.

iseegirls

Confirming the 2 lane option here

Valhalla90

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118823134#Comment_118823134

Anyone remember the time they put up traffic lights there? They were removed after a few weeks, the junction has always been a mess!

Speak Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118823139#Comment_118823139

The road rage incident was from inner ring road side, only 1 lane into roundabout from that side.

johnnykilo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118823134#Comment_118823134

Yeah I think that's the only side which is still 2 lanes. The one coming down the Folly and the one going from the Ursaline side both used to be 2 lanes also, until a few years back.

It's a bit of a shitshow around there these days. I live nearby and I hate having to cross the road between the Florist and the Golden Fry, feels like I'm taking my life in my hands every time I do it. I also agree those new flats they're building behind the Golden Fry are just going to make things worse. Not sure how they got planning permission for them to be honest.

Wanderer2010

That whole area up by Centra must be a nightmare to live in. I notice people going to Centra park up outside the whole row of houses down from and across the road from the shop, then anyone going to the chipper park on the kerb just around the corner from the main door, laziness doesnt even begin to describe it!

Poor Uncle Tom

Pulled into filling station this morning to give the motor some sustenance, went to pay and couldn't get in the door, car left ticking over with the drivers door open, 3 or 4 kids fighting in the back, no driver to be seen, a few minutes later a glowing specimen of urban motherhood emerges with armfulls of crisp bags, chocolate bars and a coffee of course. Another 2 minutes while miss piggy adjusts the mirror, puts on the seatbelt, takes the required coffee sips, adjusted the mirror again and then roared out of the forecourt under half clutch and a heavy excellerator foot.

Roundabout at the top of Keane's Road is dicey. Traffic coming up the Yellow Road just breeze through and viewing angles from Keane's Road are piss-poor.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

Counted 3 cars breeze through the lights at the bridge this morning after the light had turned red heading up Bridge street. Seems to be a common occurrence everywhere these days that red lights are optional for the first 5 seconds after they change.

Waterford26

Ppl are more agressive coz stuck in traffic more often. Few years back we had 4 lines on the Quay, almost zero one way streets..now its much worse and some drivers cant stand it.. my opinion.

Crusty Blaa

I get seriously annoyed at the Maryland junction. Often times I'd be waiting at the lights on Colbeck Street and then cars coming from Parnell Street blatantly ignore the yellow box, blocking cars on Colbeck Street from getting through the green light when it comes on. I got stuck there for two consecutive green lights a few weeks ago.

Wanderer2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118909449#Comment_118909449

Yeah thats a killer, some people couldnt care less that they are sitting right in the middle of the pedestrian crossing either, just to gain a few more inches!

Ive also been caught by cars suddenly turning into spring garden alley from colbeck street, which i didnt even think you could do! Its a tight fit and the other day the car in front of me was indicating right which i presumed was Parnell Street when all of a sudden he swerved into that tiny alley which i wasnt expecting. Be careful people!

Crusty Blaa

As dangerous and all as it is, I'm pretty sure that turn onto Spring Garden Alley is the only way residents can access it when John St/Applemarket is closed to traffic. You're dead right though - it's an accident waiting to happen.

Flow Motion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118909522#Comment_118909522

Never presume. Its a legal manoeuvre to turn right into Spring Garden Alley from there, and the OP indictated his intention to do so. What more do you require. IMO it is you that needs to be careful.

nomoedoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118909449#Comment_118909449

Yellow boxes are just decorative features to a lot of people in Waterford!

On another note id love to know who thought it would be a good idea to have two stop and goes on the N25 within 2km of each other ,if the one at Carrolls Cross wasn’t bad enough there one now at Ballyduff about 2km away!

Wanderer2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118911981#Comment_118911981

Actually i wasnt aware that cars could turn into that narrow road so its reasonable to presume an indication on the right hand side meant Parnell Street.

Kilkenny36

Hi All, I got a frustrating parking fine recently. I stopped to collect an elderly relative outside city Square just at the trolly drop. I pulled up and had just loaded the shopping and was approached by a parking officer and given a ticket. The car was running the whole time and my kid was inside. I get that it is a no parking zone but the presence of the trolly bay would really suggest that it is an area to collect someone after shopping.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

BBM77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913440#Comment_118913440

Terrible thing. No parking zones don't apply to you after all.

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913507#Comment_118913507

Thanks for your reply and your mature answer. But why is there a trolly drop if you can't load shopping into the car here.

nomoedoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913658#Comment_118913658

Which entrance has a trolley drop?

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913803#Comment_118913803

The entrance by Carraig Dunn. There is a trolly drop just next to the bollards where they new store was built.

nomoedoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913964#Comment_118913964

What did the traffic warden say did you explain you were only collecting someone?,I wouldn’t be paying it anyway if it was me,maybe contact the council and appeal it.

You can appeal it but I wouldn't be ignoring it either.

JohnC.

There's a taxi rank across the road. The trolley bay is there for that. It's not for picking people up. And leaving your car running is another thing you could have been done for if it was a Garda rather than a traffic warden too.

Speak Now

Unlucky to get caught there as people do it all day but the appeal would be frivolous.

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118914052#Comment_118914052

He just said it's a no-parking area and There are signs up the top of Patrick Street stating this. I appealed and lost the appeal because it was parking in a no parking zone. I spoke to City Square about this and they were raging and said that people are always collecting people there. It's very confusing because there are no signs anywhere in the area bar the top of Patrick street saying its a no parking zone. It really does look like a set down point in front of city square. The bollards even step back in a little giving this impression.

Wanderer2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118916416#Comment_118916416

You were really unlucky there, i drive down that way every day and i always see people pulling up and emptying their shopping into cars, sure what harm are you actually doing, since any car parked there wouldnt be blocking either the bus or taxi rank? Its a trolley bay thats located near NOTHING, who made that decision?

Your man the traffic warden is a bit of a wan%er anyway, you know the type, swaggering around with his chest cam, full of his own self importance. Who is he anyway only a warden, big deal.

BBM77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118913658#Comment_118913658

Did you make the post to hear other’s options? Or make condescending comments about people who don’t follow your narrative of being hard-done by for getting a parking ticket for parking in a no parking area? You might want to have a rethink about maturity there!

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118817838#Comment_118817838

I would consider myself an impatient driver and will basically break the speed law and will always go through amber unless there is a Gardai around... However i do think there should be serious look at pedestrian crossing behaviour... points maybe...

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118919670#Comment_118919670

I have no issue with you agreeing with the parking ticket. Your response was a nothing but a smart response.

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118916929#Comment_118916929

Yeah. Thats him exactly. There was a lady parking attendant around for years and she was very reasonable. It just seems to me like the city council are shooting themselves in the foot. The thing is I come from the ballybricken area every Friday evening and stop off outside city Square collecting my relative and then head back towards lady lane and back up ballybricken. I genuinely don't have time to navigate to the mall and Quay and into the car park which would honestly add another 20 minutes to the trip. So the result of this my relative has to make their way to the hyper centre for shopping and I collect them there. Feels very unfair. Its funny the council were cracking over the ferrybank shopping centre because it would ruin the city centre. But they have done it themselves. Make it as difficult as possible for people to shop in the city centre.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118924125#Comment_118924125

I don't think its very difficult to shop in the city centre. An abundance of car parking on the quay, Bolton Street, Waterside, Millers Marsh. I park in Ballybricken a lot going to town and stroll down the hill. Lots of blue badge parking and some age friendly spaces on little patrick street behind the book centre too for those who need to park a little closer to town. The problem is a lot of people who are well able to walk 5 minutes to get to the shops complain that they can't plonk their car right in the middle of John Roberts Square like you used to be able to do.

Kilkenny36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118924673#Comment_118924673

That's fine if you are young and healthy and don't have a weeks shopping with you. My point is myself and countless others like me stop to pick up mainly elderly relatives here with their weeks shopping. Stand there any day and watch and ask yourself honestly if you see any harm in it? The person I spoke to in city Square said that this has been happening since it opened in the 90's and they have never been asked to stop or remove the trolly bay. And yes on a normal day I could park my car in the city Square car park. But on Friday evenings I don't have time to do this. Due to the gridlock on the Mall it literally would take 20+ minutes more. I have picked up my relative every Friday after work for the past 5 years and never had issue now I can't anymore. Their life is greatly inconvenienced. Its not so simple for them to make there way to the hyper center every Friday. Its not the parking ticket that bothers me it's the fact that it has made a massive inconvenience on the life of someone I know. Picture you are a pensioner who loves picking up your pension and walking through the city you grew up in. You get the bus to town and then get picked up that evening with a full weeks shopping. You've been doing it for years but now you can't. Now stand outside city Square and watch countless others do this. Now imagine all those have to stop doing it. Suddenly you begin to see why the city centre is no longer appealing to most.

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118924833#Comment_118924833

I just think you're making this out to be a bigger problem than it is. Yes your specific situation has been inconvenienced but to say its an issue for most is a bit misleading. The reality is you parked somewhere you're not allowed to park anymore, got done for it and feel a bit slighted by it. There is still loads of parking around for people who want to get into the city. Pensioner's can still get picked up outside city square with a full weeks shopping. There is a massive car park on high street right across from the centre, there is the underground where they can get picked up from, there is still on street parking on Olaf Street, also pretty sure there may be set down parking across from the library on lady lane. All you're moaning about is that you got a ticket for parking somewhere you're not allowed to park and haven't been allowed to for some time.