Level Crossing Idiocy

[Eichhörnchen]

Forgive the hasty computer drawing; I'll never be a digital artist.
This stupid road manoeuvre on this stretch of the A16 into Boston has nearly caught me out more than once, and I saw it done twice to other people today putting their lives at risk. Someone will be killed here one day... it's arisen only recently when they changed the road layout: two lanes leading to a roundabout and a single lane oncoming.

As simply put as I can: at a level crossing I am in the green car waiting for the traffic on the other side to move off and leave me free to cross. The traffic ahead duly moves on and I start to cross, when suddenly the RED car (and sometimes those behind it too) cuts across into my lane and comes to a stop ahead of me where the blue car was before. I am now trapped on the crossing with nowhere to go if the barriers come down. A stupid idiot woman did this to me yesterday and she was probably too dim to realise why I suddenly started pounding the horn.

I've not seen a dangerous two-lane road over a crossing like this anywhere else... wtf? Shouldn't I complain to the Borough Council?

http://i.imgur.com/YdZjLDY.png

[STEED]

I bid..

http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/8ecdae27cbb8464fba5cbdf02488e840/one-hundred-trillion-dollar-note-zimbabwe-cc5awf.jpg

For that work of art.

[Eichhörnchen]

Cheeky sod :haha:

[Martin James]

I would say make a complaint to the police. There might be video of the crossing. At the risk of sounding like an old fogy, people are so in a rush these days, putting life at risk for what 1 sec in front?

[Moonlight]

Get in touch with the local highways dept Mr Squirrel and inform them of the danger of that section of road, its more than likely it has already been reported and they could just think it was a one off incident but until you get in touch you'll never know will you.

That'll be £125.00 for my lawyer fees old boy, what are you still doing here Mr Squirrel, find out which pub the head of that dept goes in and give him a smack in the nose, my opening fee for that one will be £475.00, yes, yes, yes I know my rates are cheap but I'm just trying to help out a destitute artist who can't afford a quicker off the mark car aren't I, I am too kind by far you know. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

Your fees are oppressive and getting worse :hmmm:

[vienna]

Your situation is very familiar. In California, because of gridlock caused by drivers clogging intersections, a law was passed requiring drivers not to enter an intersection or crossing unless they could clear the opposite side safely. The downside is it has led to situations similar, if not identical, to the one you describe. I see it all the time around the city and have seen a couple where both cars have ended up colliding and truly clogging the road(s). I would complain to the authorities and see if they can, perhaps, place police officers at the intersection at random times and cite the offending drivers. This is a tactic used here and has been somewhat effective. Once an intersection becomes known as a "trap", the 'regular' users are more wary of using questionable tactics. You might also look into getting the media involved; maybe there is some sort of 'investigative advocate' on one of the TV stations who would be interested in looking into what is a public safety matter. The more noise you make, the more you will get noticed...




<O>

[vienna]

Your fees are oppressive and getting worse :hmmm:

Oh, just pull a Trump and refuse to pay him... :haha:




<O>

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, vienna. I think I'll put in a complaint... his fees are quite ridiculous now :hmmm:

[Platapus]

Yikes that could have been pretty dangerous.

[STEED]

Cheeky sod :haha:

How about two trillion? :)

You can buy a lot of toilet paper with that you know. :03:

[Jimbuna]

Invest in a Dash Cam and show them the SD card recording...irrefutable proof.

[Eichhörnchen]

Good suggestion... probably not expensive either so we're going to do just that.

One other thing I hadn't emphasised: the traffic queue is always slow-moving in this outside lane on these occasions so even if you wait until there's a good long gap on the other side of the crossing, several of these scumbags have already decided to switch lanes just as you start across, and they block your exit from the danger area.

[Rockstar]

drive faster

[Eichhörnchen]

No good: the queue on your right is already motoring ahead of yours (this one is always faster moving than the outside lane) and they just pop out from it ahead of you.

[STEED]

Give up driving and save lots of money too buy lots of soft toilet paper. :03:

[Rockstar]

Get one of these.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uWhyfaW0JQw

[Jimbuna]

^ :haha:

[Aktungbby]

Get in touch with the local highways dept Mr Squirrel and inform them of the danger of that section of road, its more than likely it has already been reported and they could just think it was a one off incident but until you get in touch you'll never know will you.

That'll be £125.00 for my lawyer fees old boy, what are you still doing here Mr Squirrel, find out which pub the head of that dept goes in and give him a smack in the nose, my opening fee for that one will be £475.00, yes, yes, yes I know my rates are cheap but I'm just trying to help out a destitute artist who can't afford a quicker off the mark car aren't I, I am too kind by far you know. :D
Strangely, Moonlight's 'quick off the mark' comment is appropriate: U R at fault for allowing yourself to be caught on the crossing. Even though an illegal unsignaled lane change has occurred; Rule 1: "the idiocy of others is ALWAYS foreseeable to a good defensive driver. (rule 2: always drive defensively)" Pair that with the maxim: "the leading cause of death is other people" usually your wife or your physician and/or an errant driver....:k_confused:Sometimes it's a combination of all three: the errant driver sends you to the hospital; the doctor says you're 'brain dead'; and your wife....ever mindful of her timely life in$urance payment premium$ on your wretched hide....acquie$ce$ to "pull the plug' :shucks: (rule 3: 'girls gotta eat':O:) Had U been in a eighteen-wheeler for example,, the track crossing maneuver would anticipate the need to safely pass under all conditions including the idiotic lane shift. The fault dear Eich is 70% U and 30% her.:doh: https://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/Roadkill-Litter.jpg.650x0_q70_crop-smart.jpgPS: I have a similar RR crossing(Napa Valley wine train) with three signal light intersections and freeway off/on ramp and two corner gas station: three blocks from my home. All busses stopping to look as required by law, the commute hour makes passage a 1/2 hour ordeal. Offset lanes through a misaligned intersection has caused asinine jockeying and fatal accidents through the years. http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx22/aktungbby/29%20intersection_zps1wsxqgan.png <thin grey line parallel to freeway is RR track -getting over the freeway is simply awful and has a camera monitor from time to time as the city's budget occasions. Sig llights at Solano Ave. and each of the on/off Hwy 29 ramps and RR barricades make it miserably tough. EDIT: I just caught Vienna's post: precisely so!

[Eichhörnchen]

I take your point, Aktung, but I am the world's number one defensive driver, always telling Moira to beware that the other driver may do this or that. I always allow a good gap the other side before crossing, and I have to go sometime, don't I, to avoid getting honked at by those behind. I can't see how I am culpable in this at all.

[Aktungbby]

I take your point, Aktung, but I am the world's number one defensive driver, always telling Moira to beware that the other driver may do this or that. I always allow a good gap the other side before crossing, and I have to go sometime, don't I, to avoid getting honked at by those behind. I can't see how I am culpable in this at all. U just made my point again! You do all of what is necessary to achieve getting safely across the track before the train comes along. Less than 100% off the track is unacceptable!!! The pudding proof is U did not! Nor have I;:shucks: apart from actually killing or injuring someone, I've made every error there is myself including thinking I am a defensive driver : to wit: If I'm thinking I am, I'm probably not defensive enough...and that includes with a co-driver just out of truck school with under 100 hours of error free driving; in an Iowa blizzard on a typical 1000 mile day ..."Hi forget everything they taught you; this is reality." In those days I did all the adverse condition driving and falsified both logbooks:oops:...Visibility is 20' at 10mph for eight hours passing other vehicles that have fared poorly. As the big-rig's 'Master and Commander'http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/images/ranks/luckyjack15.jpg: "it was the lesser of two weevils" as pulling off the freeway is not an option; the I-80 offramps nor the truckstops are not plowed out and stopping will get you rear-ended by the idiot behind you in whiteout conditions. Pudding proof: two of my co-drivers did not survive their careers... and I'm 66 and still get paid for long hours behind the wheel.:hmmm:

[STEED]

1 of 72 videos watch the lot and give up driving.

Warning strong language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNMF4kBQTEs

[Eichhörnchen]

I still don't follow, Aktung... my exit from the danger area is good and clear when I set off across. If other vehicles then pull over in front of me and block it, I don't see how that would be any percentage my fault if I were trapped on the crossing. This is happening to other people too; it's a dangerous planning error in my view.

I don't think we're going to agree on this one... maybe I haven't described it well enough, or maybe your crossings are different to ours.

[Aktungbby]

This stupid road manoeuvre on this stretch of the A16 into Boston has nearly caught me out more than once, and I saw it done twice to other people today putting their lives at risk. Someone will be killed here one day... I always allow a good gap the other side before crossing, and I have to go sometime, don't I, to avoid getting honked at by those behind. I can't see how I am culpable in this at all. ...do all of what is necessary to achieve getting safely across the track before the train comes along. Less than 100% off the track is unacceptable!!! To reiterate: U Know it's poor road engineer planning; U know there R idiots; U know U R a defensive driver; U know U must not end up stuck on the track...U only make a mistake once; after that it's no longer a mistake; it's a preventable forseeable error. Don't use the route or sit longer with emergency flasher ( and ignore people honking) till the way is utterly, indisputably, manifestly clear. Otherwise U R now contributing to the error. Her haste in lane changes is seconded by yours' in moving forward; possibly motivated by impatient motorists behind U leaning on thier horns. Your 'good gap' as with my 65' eighteen wheeler, is obviously insufficient. The logic of your righteous indignation over your culpability has no bearing on the matter. Remember: no 'idiot lanechanger in front' can see as well behind as U can seeing frontwards, therefore the last opportunity, especially with your foreknowledge of the particular condition, for avoidance rests with U.

[Eichhörnchen]

I think I see where we're at odds on this: you say that her error is "seconded" by mine in moving forward, but the situation here is that I have moved forward before her lane-change... I've moved forward towards what is indeed a "manifestly clear" exit; there's no other way for a motorist to use this inside lane: he either drives forward or he sits, and if he's sitting just because he's afraid some idiot will cross to block his exit then he will sit there all day, which is in itself an offence.

[Eichhörnchen]

I just reported it to the County Coucil.

[Platapus]

1 of 72 videos watch the lot and give up driving.

Warning strong language



And people wonder why we don't have flying cars yet. :o:doh:

[STEED]

And people wonder why we don't have flying cars yet. :o:doh:

Indeed. :yep:

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

I'm sure you don't need to be encouraged too much, but when train comes do not hesitate to drive through crossing arns (they are usually designed to break) and bump those idiots out of your way!

Also I concur with recommendations of dash cam and complaint.

[Moonlight]

Its one of these things you need Mr Squirrel, inform the local council that you're available for hire and make some extra cash for yourself as well. As its Sunday you can have that advice for nothing but don't expect any other freebies as none will be forthcoming. :D

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1YBjMJXXXXXaRaXXXq6xXFXXXG/Brand-New-KAIDIWEI-1-35-Scale-Diecast-Car-Model-font-b-Toys-b-font-Road-Roller.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

Moira said to tell them they need to paint double white lines between the lanes to stop lane-changing. Why didn't I think of that? So I that's what I told them.

@ kraz... that's what I'd like to do

[Platapus]

Just blow your horn, the train can go around you. :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

I just heard back from the Council: because of budgetary constraints, they will only look into something like this at the request of the Police or the Road Safety Partnership (whoever they are)... and then only when supported by accident/collision data. So they're happy to leave it until someone gets hit by a train, just for the sake of half a can of white paint.

[STEED]

I just heard back from the Council: because of budgetary constraints, they will only look into something like this at the request of the Police or the Road Safety Partnership (whoever they are)... and then only when supported by accident/collision data. So they're happy to leave it until someone gets hit by a train, just for the sake of half a can of white paint.

I knew you would get that answer, action will only take place after a number of set deaths injuries and major car prangs.


Eichhörnchen did you learn the number one lesson?

Let me refresh you...Money is worth far more than human life.

[August]

I just heard back from the Council: because of budgetary constraints, they will only look into something like this at the request of the Police or the Road Safety Partnership (whoever they are)... and then only when supported by accident/collision data. So they're happy to leave it until someone gets hit by a train, just for the sake of half a can of white paint.

They're giving you the brush off.

Get what they said in writing and contact one of the local news investigating teams. They just love that type of story.

And definitely get a dash cam. I bought a cheap one from Walmart for about $35 that works great.

[Aktungbby]

Moira said to tell them they need to paint double white lines between the lanes to stop lane-changing. Why didn't I think of that? So I that's what I told them.



I just heard back from the Council: because of budgetary constraints, So they're happy to leave it until someone gets hit by a train, just for the sake of half a can of white paint.



Eichhörnchen did you learn the number one lesson? (rule 3: 'girls gotta eat':O:)
Let me refresh you...Money is worth far more than human life.and your wife....ever mindful of her timely life in$urance payment premium$ on your wretched hide....acquie$ce$ to "pull the plug' :shucks:They're giving you the brush off.:har:



The plot thickens...Moira is the real artist!:D https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2d/White_Line_Fever_1975.jpg

[MaDef]

I just heard back from the Council: because of budgetary constraints, they will only look into something like this at the request of the Police or the Road Safety Partnership (whoever they are)... and then only when supported by accident/collision data. So they're happy to leave it until someone gets hit by a train, just for the sake of half a can of white paint.I'm missing something here, saw the drawing, not sure what a can of paint is going to accomplish.

FWIW, anyone dumb enough to stop on a rail crossing probably shouldn't be out in public without a minder, let alone drive a vehicle.

[Jimbuna]

They're giving you the brush off.

Get what they said in writing and contact one of the local news investigating teams. They just love that type of story.

And definitely get a dash cam. I bought a cheap one from Walmart for about $35 that works great.

Agreed :yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

I'm missing something here, saw the drawing, not sure what a can of paint is going to accomplish.

FWIW, anyone dumb enough to stop on a rail crossing probably shouldn't be out in public without a minder, let alone drive a vehicle.

You sure are missing something: the whole point of this is that idiot drivers are barging in and blocking the exit of other motorists, who then are forced to stop on the crossing (in the UK, double white lines between lanes means you must not cross into the adjacent lane).

[Aktungbby]

U just made my point again! You do all of what is necessary to achieve getting safely across the track before the train comes along. Less than 100% off the track is unacceptable!!!

Don't use the route or sit longer with emergency flasher ( and ignore people honking) till the way is utterly, indisputably, manifestly clear. Otherwise U R now contributing to the error. Her haste in lane changes is seconded by yours' in moving forward; possibly motivated by impatient motorists behind U leaning on thier horns. Your 'good gap' as with my 65' eighteen wheeler, is obviously insufficient. The logic of your righteous indignation over your culpability has no bearing on the matter.

anyone dumb enough to stop on a rail crossing probably shouldn't be out in public without a minder, let alone drive a vehicle. https://media4.giphy.com/media/k0ZnSJN5qcqdi/giphy.gif'nuff said' 'solid' White lines notwithstanding.:O:

[STEED]

(in the UK, double white lines between lanes means you must not cross into the adjacent lane).

Well you only got one option left..Guard Duty. :03:

[Aktungbby]

Well you only got one option left..Guard Duty. :03: Even patrol-driving Guard Duty can kill ya: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2464181&postcount=499 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2464181&postcount=499) My presence in the flash flood, even with two calls to my tide table expert boat Captain- was entirely MY OWN FAULT and a poor decision on my part to save a $5 bridge toll, given my obvious knowledge of flood potential, even as the river-deity http://www.azula.com/ocean-gods/ (http://www.azula.com/ocean-gods/) unleashed fury on me...:hmmm: On the other hand maybe the Fates: Clotho (https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Minor_Gods/Clotho/clotho.html), Lachesis (https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Minor_Gods/Lachesis/lachesis.html), and Atropos (https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Minor_Gods/Atropos/atropos.html), intervened, sent me there, and that immediate 911 phone-call/3 day road-closure made all the difference to some unknown poor slob somewhere.:timeout:

[STEED]

^Well then guard duty in a bloody big tank. :ping:

[MaDef]

You sure are missing something: the whole point of this is that idiot drivers are barging in and blocking the exit of other motorists, who then are forced to stop on the crossing (in the UK, double white lines between lanes means you must not cross into the adjacent lane). here in the U.S it's a single solid white line. And during rush hour traffic people tend to treat them as suggestions rather than rules. (I know I do, especially when trying to get on a freeway behind someone who doesn't understand what an on ramp is for.) Not trying to pick an argument, but maybe not be so timid in driving? obviously there's enough room in front of you on the other side of the tracks, or cars wouldn't be cutting you off.

[Eichhörnchen]

Unfortunately the traffic in lane two is usually moving more quickly and frequently than in lane one, which is crawling. You will then often see your space on the other side taken by a scumbag opportunist who's already nearly at the other side, as soon as it appears. This must be 50 yards, so I'd stand no chance of beating him to it even in a Ferrari, which I don't have.

[STEED]

You need this..Marauder Truck

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.qkKdtIA_Bn8gSMl8oNDTYAEsDC&pid=15.1http://www.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/marauder.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6mtSscX1gtU/T-R15hp2MCI/AAAAAAAAJ3E/f3QHCyN90v8/paramount-marauder-top-gear-12jpg.jpg

[vienna]

Can you get it as a hybrid?...




<O>

[MaDef]

Unfortunately the traffic in lane two is usually moving more quickly and frequently than in lane one, which is crawling. You will then often see your space on the other side taken by a scumbag opportunist who's already nearly at the other side, as soon as it appears. This must be 50 yards, so I'd stand no chance of beating him to it even in a Ferrari, which I don't have.Been there, do you have the option of a different route? one time I had a construction job 5 miles from my house, took me 10-15 min to get there in the morning, took 70-90 min on average to get home on the same streets (just going in the opposite direction). I took to going a different route coming home. The distance ended up at about 12 miles (little over double) but the time dropped to 25 min. this was before GPS was so prevalent. now days I run google maps while driving, it gives me real time traffic so I can route around jams like you seem to be experiencing.

Sometimes the fastest route between 2 points isn't a straight line.

[Eichhörnchen]

Luckily it's not a road I have to use regularly and in any case it's only choked like this at certain times of day. I said to Moira yesterday that we better go the back route when it looks busy up there in future... it's a little bit further but is a normal 2-way crossing when it reaches the railway.

[vienna]

You know, hitting someone in the wallet is often a great incentive; perhaps it would be worth the effort to point out to the council or whatever other officials, that there now exists, by virtue of your concerns entered into the record, evidence of the authorities' knowledge of a potential serious problem and their unwillingness to address the matter, and this alone would not play well in court in the event of legal action: pay a few pennies now or spend a lot of pounds later...




<O>

[Catfish]

Can you get it as a hybrid?... <O>

That would spoil the fun.
Because tapping yourself on the shoulder all the time makes driving very difficult.

[Eichhörnchen]

... there now exists, by virtue of your concerns entered into the record, evidence of the authorities' knowledge of a potential serious problem and their unwillingness to address the matter

The email from the Council had me grumbling about how people feel able to hide behind the cloak of Corporate Responsibility, citing Policy as a reason not to act. I would at least (if it were me) refer it upwards, so that some other bugger carried the can if things went wrong.

Meanwhile, I've kept a record of my message and their reply in a safe place...

[Catfish]

[...] Meanwhile, I've kept a record of my message and their reply in a safe place...

^ You have now be tagged by MI5, civil liberties are a thing of the past.

[Eichhörnchen]

:timeout::D

[STEED]

Can you get it as a hybrid?...




<O>

I see I see, road TAX dodger..Oh wait you don't live in the UK. Errrr..:hmmm:


Meanwhile, I've kept a record of my message and their reply in a safe place...

Good place to put them..

http://buzz.auntyacid.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18flpw.jpg

You never know when you will need them. :03:

[Jimbuna]

^ :haha:

[vienna]

I see I see, road TAX dodger..Oh wait you don't live in the UK. Errrr..:hmmm:

...



Actually, in the US, and, in particular, the state of California, there are incentives for the purchase of 'clean energy' vehicles in the form of various auto tax/registration fee allowances; many states offer other additional advantages, such as, in California, the right to drive solo in the carpool lanes...




<O>

[BarracudaUAK]

You need this..Marauder Truck
...



Personally, I'm partial this one...
I really like the 77 1/2-79 body...

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yiSRr2_pPxU/hqdefault.jpg

Or a 80-86?
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wC6aF_ezuJs/hqdefault.jpg



Maybe something a bit larger?

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/dc/56/2c/dc562c626422a8c74e06589099b51b63.jpg
http://www.offroaders.com/directory/monster_trucks/images/bigfoot-2.jpg

But if you just absolutely need to have it in a hybrid....


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4e/45/d0/4e45d0022b48589b7c0d7f266187ecc6.jpg


:D:D:D


Barracuda