The end of white lines in the centre of our roads????

[Facial Hair Optional]

http://www.elephant.co.uk/articles/is-the-end-in-sight-for-central-road-markings.php

Is the end in sight for central road markings?

They've been a feature on our roads for almost 100 years but a new trial could spell the end of the central white line on many UK roads.

In a bid to make drivers slow down, highways chiefs are trialling the removal of centrelines from some slower UK roads.

The proposals come following a positive test in London where three roads had their white lines removed. In 2014, Transport for London (TfL) erased the centrelines on two roads in Croydon and another in Haringey.

Results showed drivers reduced their speeds on these unmarked roads by up to 13%.

In their report about the test, TfL addressed why drivers travel faster on roads with central lines. They wrote: "Getting into the minds of drivers is not easy. A theory is that centre lines and hatching can provide a psycological sense of confidence to drivers that no vehicles will encroach on 'their' side of the road.

"There can also be a tendency for some drivers to position their vehicles close to a white line regardless of traffic conditions, believing it is their 'right' to be in this position."
Slowing down

They went on to say there was a "statistically significant reduction in vehicle speeds as a result of removing central markings on the carriageway" and suggested "centreline removal introduces an element of uncertainty which is reflected in lower speeds".

However, not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

Ellie Bromilow was concerned for drivers' safety in bad weather. She posted on Facebook: "What about when it's foggy? The white lines make the curvature of the road more visible. Stupid idea."

While Des Powell said the plan "transcends stupidity". He wrote: "Whoever invented cats eyes and lines have saved countless lives and as a driver for many years I place a high value on them."

[Iancider]

How many court cases have been won because the other driver was on the wrong side of a white line.

I saw a TV article about one of these inspirational road planners where he had taken kerbs away from pavements and merged the path and the road so that cars were just mingling with pedestrians.  He thought it was quite a good idea to just walk out in front of cars to slow them down. 

I was thinking that twice in my life I have slid on ice and bumped the kerb - so now I have to bump pedestrians instead.  He was also challenged by a blind man - who asked him to walk across this mayhem blindfold.  Strangely the road planner was not keen.  At the end of the article I was thinking:

Zoos:  wouldn't it be some much better to remove the bars and the glass and to have a coming together of scorpions and tigers and people all together surely that would improve respect for nature? 

[Facial Hair Optional]

At the end of the article I was thinking:

Zoos:  wouldn't it be some much better to remove the bars and the glass and to have a coming together of scorpions and tigers and people all together surely that would improve respect for nature? 

I could handle the scorpions I think Ian, but sod the tigers - I'm outta there !!!!

[Iancider]

I could handle the scorpions I think Ian

You could but only once 

[Facial Hair Optional]

I could handle the scorpions I think Ian

You could but only once 

Ah Sensei, you have forgotten to take into account my double thick oven gloves!!!