Another one bites the dust...
By ShepherdSpy
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
Omagh, Northern Ireland
April 3, 2012 6:04am CST
A main road passes through the village I live in,and even though there's a speed limit of 40mph between the "Welcome" signs at either side,and a deceptive bend in the middle (further restricted to 25mph),there's not much real estate around that bend that hasn't had some vehicle embedded in it in the past few years..And at least one life lost there that I'm aware of..I'd started another discussion about a nice little bistro/restaurant within an apartment complex right on the apex that's now taken damage from 2 cars losing control and driving into it-they built a barrier wall after the second time,but the business has since folded,possibly due to their losses in having to shut down while structural repair work was done..going in to work this morning,I saw yet another busted up car,this time on the grass outside the post office,directly across from the Bistro-there's quite a high kerb around this bend,and the car had mounted the kerb having hit at too high a speed,and one of the back wheels was broken off by the impact..no sign of the driver.
What would you suggest to stop drivers speeding here before the next crash happens at this spot?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Apr 12
That's a good question. How about getting with the Mayor and setting up a program where people get points for NOT having an accident in that area. THe points makers would get some cool prize. About the only thing that makes people get excited are technology items and money. Good luck!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
6 Apr 12
Concern about getting penalty points on their licences doesn't seem to be affecting these drivers' inability to slow below what I'd reckon to be about 50mph+ on this bend before spinning out of control and into the architecture...giving them a prize to aim for rather than somebody's living room -wouldn't that encourage more drivers to come through here,increasing the risk?
I'm just beginning to think maybe a speed trap camera might be a good idea around here..At the least,it might be a deterrent-at worst,it'd catch some offenders and the fines might cover some of the damage caused..
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@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
3 Apr 12
I am generally against "speeding traps" where cops sit and have their radars fixed on approaching vehicles waiting to catch speeders, but here it sounds like this sort of thing is warranted. I would suggest having two cops ... one at each end of the road ... sit there and issue tickets to people who are speeding. It should not take long before people start to slow down through town. Also, the cops could randomly change position and sit at the bend in the road rather than at either end, so that people do not get the urge to pick up speed if they do not see a cop when they start going into town.
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@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Apr 12
There's not much scope for the cops to stay covert,keeping a watch on this bend..there's only maybe 2 possible locations and in both of them they'd be readily visible on the approach..but as a deterrent,that'd be a good option!
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@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
3 Apr 12
I would suggest either speed bumps or one of those camera thingies that shows how fast you are going as you approach it. Also, I would see if they could lower the speed limit before and after the bend to at least 35 if not lower. My first guess is that many are not paying attention to the speed limit or the change; even with trying to pay attention I can see how it could be confusing to have to immediately slow down from 40 to 25 if you aren't familiar with the area.
I'm hoping they do the same for an area I live nearby. Both of these roads are windy and they intersect, yet people fly up and down both of them like there are no signs. Just a couple of weeks ago, a 9 year old girl lost her life crossing one of those streets, again because some idiot was flying down that road, not paying attention to the speed limit. Me myself I'm even for having live patrols on both streets to ensure no one speeds...the way people drive in that immediate area is ridiculous.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
3 Apr 12
The national speed limit is 60mph,in the outer limits of towns it goes to 40, then in town and residential areas it's 30.(Some school and residential areas get 20mph limits,but not around here..) The road under the 40 limit is straight for near a mile into the village before this bend,and the 25mph restriction has a big "Sharp left turn" warning sign that those who speed til the last moment can brake..they're basically aiming for the side of the bistro and a couple of ground floor apartments if they don't brake in time!
I think the radar controlled "You are doing X mph " sign might be a start..Cop patrols are too infrequent,and on that basis I wouldn't see them allocating a speed trap car permanently to the area..bringing the speeds down is what needs doing,and speed bumps,much as I hate the things,is about the best way to do that at present..
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
3 Apr 12
I once lived on a road that sounds much like you describe except that it was a residential area. A few kids had been struck by cars speeding on that road and, on more than one occasion, parked cars (mine was one of them) were smashed by cars rounding the bed that were traveling at an excess speed and lost control.
Speed bumps were put in and that problem stopped. You simply cannot travel over them at an excessive speed without damaging your vehicle. They work!
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@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Apr 12
The "Village Green" (a small park in the centre) has a kiddy playground..there's a playground warning sign too on the approach to this bend,but thankfully (I hope) there's no way a kid is going to be on this road getting to the playpark..
I tend to agree on the need for speed bumps around here,unfortunately..
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