Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
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Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
I personally think this is a good idea, an automatic number plate reader observes a foreign vehicle then flashes the information message in that countries language.
The only problem I could see is if the sign is constantly changing languages on the sign, can't see a problem on the M6 trial may be an issue on the M25
The only problem I could see is if the sign is constantly changing languages on the sign, can't see a problem on the M6 trial may be an issue on the M25
The M25 - The road to nowhere
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
About 10 years ago I was travelling in Hungary and the VMSes on the Hungarian motorway network would flash through Hungarian, I think Romanian (or another local language) and English.
Personally I think its a great idea, especially if the ANPR can pick up and recognise foreign plates accurately, my only worry would be with Romanian plates which can have a format like X 12 XYZ similar to our pre 2001 plates.
Personally I think its a great idea, especially if the ANPR can pick up and recognise foreign plates accurately, my only worry would be with Romanian plates which can have a format like X 12 XYZ similar to our pre 2001 plates.
Built for comfort, not speed.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Also what would happen if there were two foreign lorries of different nationalities side by side? Which language would be displayed? At one time it was not unusual for the driver to be from a different country from the vehicle, I don't know whether this is still an issue.
- Conekicker
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
One can but hope DfT have authorised these legends. It's always been their position that traffic signs in England are mono-lingual in English only. Such legends are non-prescribed, so to display them without authorisation is unlawful.
The Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 1 reminds highway authorities:
The use of non-prescribed signs on public highways without authorisation by the national authority might be deemed unlawful, with authorities using them acting beyond their powers. The erection of an unauthorised sign in the highway is an obstruction and the possible consequences of erecting or permitting the erection of obstructions can be severe. Those responsible could lay themselves open to a claim for damages, for example if an obstruction is the cause of an accident or an injury in a collision, or if it adversely affects a property adjacent to the road by blocking light or impairing visual amenity. Furthermore, the use of unlawful traffic signs might compromise enforcement of statutory provisions and be detrimental to road safety.
One might muse that someone at HE has had a "good idea" and decided to run with it before checking what the legal position is. If that is the case, they would be well advised to stop doing this immediately and never do it again.
Edit: The next time someone has a "good idea" regarding traffic signing, they would be wise to ask those with sufficient knowledge on the subject as to just how "good" it actually is. Because, all too often, "good" is the last thing their idea is.
The Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 1 reminds highway authorities:
The use of non-prescribed signs on public highways without authorisation by the national authority might be deemed unlawful, with authorities using them acting beyond their powers. The erection of an unauthorised sign in the highway is an obstruction and the possible consequences of erecting or permitting the erection of obstructions can be severe. Those responsible could lay themselves open to a claim for damages, for example if an obstruction is the cause of an accident or an injury in a collision, or if it adversely affects a property adjacent to the road by blocking light or impairing visual amenity. Furthermore, the use of unlawful traffic signs might compromise enforcement of statutory provisions and be detrimental to road safety.
One might muse that someone at HE has had a "good idea" and decided to run with it before checking what the legal position is. If that is the case, they would be well advised to stop doing this immediately and never do it again.
Edit: The next time someone has a "good idea" regarding traffic signing, they would be wise to ask those with sufficient knowledge on the subject as to just how "good" it actually is. Because, all too often, "good" is the last thing their idea is.
Last edited by Conekicker on Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:14, edited 1 time in total.
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- RichardA35
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
https://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths/ seems to be about 6 weeks behind the times...
- Conekicker
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
You don't seriously expect those legends to ever be authorised do you?RichardA35 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:31 https://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths/ seems to be about 6 weeks behind the times...
Patience is not a virtue - it's a concept invented by the dozy beggars who are unable to think quickly enough.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Surely better to just adopt a European standard "road closed" sign... like, I don't know, Dia. 617 which is used virtually everywhere else at roadworks.
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Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
- RichardA35
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Well I had my doubts about the "speed limits to manage congestion" but there they are.Conekicker wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 14:36You don't seriously expect those legends to ever be authorised do you?RichardA35 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:31 https://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths/ seems to be about 6 weeks behind the times...
Maybe the technology or signal setting team or whoever is running this show has some backbone?
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
If its straightforward info like that then fair enough, but it does make sense to translate the wordier messages that HE use, especially if they are of actual importance.
Built for comfort, not speed.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
You mean the empty red circle "No Vehicles" sign? It must be ages since I saw that last.
- Conekicker
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
That would be ideal, except it's such a rare sign in the UK that most UK drivers don't know what it means. Not that that is any excuse of course. If you could use it with a distance plate it might work, but that's not permitted.
The bigger problem is getting correctly designed signs for diversions, it's something this country is particularly bad at. All down to no one giving a flying one of course. T'was ever thus. Get those signs right and Johnny Foreigner might not be confused (or claim confusion when he's caught somewhere he shouldn't be).
Patience is not a virtue - it's a concept invented by the dozy beggars who are unable to think quickly enough.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Not given the rather pithy comments I have received.Conekicker wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 14:36You don't seriously expect those legends to ever be authorised do you?RichardA35 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:31 https://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths/ seems to be about 6 weeks behind the times...
A small bit of knowlege and no competence is a very dangerous thing.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
That reminds me of this absolute belter that I spotted a few years back....[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201907 ... 4a42a8.jpg[/IMG]Conekicker wrote:That would be ideal, except it's such a rare sign in the UK that most UK drivers don't know what it means. Not that that is any excuse of course. If you could use it with a distance plate it might work, but that's not permitted.
The bigger problem is getting correctly designed signs for diversions, it's something this country is particularly bad at. All down to no one giving a flying one of course. T'was ever thus. Get those signs right and Johnny Foreigner might not be confused (or claim confusion when he's caught somewhere he shouldn't be).
Built for comfort, not speed.
- Chris Bertram
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
I'd be in two minds about taking that seriouslyrhyds wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 13:06That reminds me of this absolute belter that I spotted a few years back....Conekicker wrote:That would be ideal, except it's such a rare sign in the UK that most UK drivers don't know what it means. Not that that is any excuse of course. If you could use it with a distance plate it might work, but that's not permitted.
The bigger problem is getting correctly designed signs for diversions, it's something this country is particularly bad at. All down to no one giving a flying one of course. T'was ever thus. Get those signs right and Johnny Foreigner might not be confused (or claim confusion when he's caught somewhere he shouldn't be).
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Ironically that sign was totally accurate! You could go either way, but one was down a gravel track (shorter) and the other via tarmac (longer + narrower)Chris Bertram wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 13:16I'd be in two minds about taking that seriouslyrhyds wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 13:06That reminds me of this absolute belter that I spotted a few years back....Conekicker wrote:That would be ideal, except it's such a rare sign in the UK that most UK drivers don't know what it means. Not that that is any excuse of course. If you could use it with a distance plate it might work, but that's not permitted.
The bigger problem is getting correctly designed signs for diversions, it's something this country is particularly bad at. All down to no one giving a flying one of course. T'was ever thus. Get those signs right and Johnny Foreigner might not be confused (or claim confusion when he's caught somewhere he shouldn't be).
Built for comfort, not speed.
- Conekicker
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Pithy comments, how very unexpected.Bomag wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:02Not given the rather pithy comments I have received.Conekicker wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 14:36You don't seriously expect those legends to ever be authorised do you?RichardA35 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:31 https://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths/ seems to be about 6 weeks behind the times...
A small bit of knowlege and no competence is a very dangerous thing.
Delete "a very dangerous thing" and replace with "standard practice these days".
Patience is not a virtue - it's a concept invented by the dozy beggars who are unable to think quickly enough.
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
The plate to cover one of the arrow heads has fallen off.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
Doing it on numberplates does not recognise the number of drivers from "cheaper" countries. A level crossing accident in East Anglia a few years ago had signage that the official report said was designed on the basis that drivers had taken the UK HGV test, but the (UK registered) HGV driver was Lithuanian, fully legal but had not done the training/test.
Many German/Austrian, in particular, HGVs are now driven by those from further east who speak little German.
Many German/Austrian, in particular, HGVs are now driven by those from further east who speak little German.
- RichardA35
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Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
So getting back to the subject, rather than revealing our prejudices, the non prescribed sign authorisations list has been updated to last Friday with no entry for these messages.
Re: Highways England multilingual roadworks signs
There was no evidence of one there and, as I said, both routes were equally valid!
Built for comfort, not speed.