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[feeutfo]

It's happening round here too, but specifically on the a43 there's a roundabout plunged into darkness between Brackley and the M40. Iirc it's one of the few on that section that has a raised centre island by a about 4 or 5 feet, you know that type with 45 degree bank lined with chevron patterned black and white bricks.
 Mrs CG reported a major accident there on her way to meet her parents Friday night.  Car hit the roundabout and launched over the road way into a ditch on the other side. The following day, in the opposite direction, we noticed a fairly massive impact on the the same centre island banking on the way home. Clearly two drivers have over shot the rounda about and launched off the 45 degree vertical ramp that is the centre island of the roundabout.
 The southbound approach is uphill which flattens off slightly for the last 200 yards or so, so you can only partially see it on approach. It's a tight radius so you have to scrub a lot of speed to get round, and people straight line it's two lane width as it is.

The roundabout is now lit with flashing beacons so you can see the bloody thing at night!

 Now, I don't know about you guys, but the answer to this problem seems quite obvious to me. It's a simple option, with infrastructure conveniently already in place, soundly based on very practical and safety conscious reasons....  Need I go on?   
 

[tunnie]

Happens all time, even before they were switched off, seen cars upside down in the centre of the round about 

[feeutfo]

Fair enough, but how does turning the lights off help drivers?  ...and then install other lighting placed on the roundabout itself, when the original lighting is still there.

Seems rather "dim" you might say?

[tunnie]

The council are never logical about these things 

That A43 is quite fast for a dual carriage way, so god knows what they were thinking 

[TheBoy]

I know the roundabout well. Very well. First time I approached it with the street lights off, coming from M40, I had a heck of a job losing enough speed. No idea why - I know the roundabout, I know the distances, I know the max apex speed. Just without the lighting, for that specific roundabout, I really struggle to judge distance.

Nearly did it again Thursday evening.

Its a very fast road, so maybe just keep a third of them on?


I can see why there has been a spate of serious accidents there since the decision to pull the lights was taken...

[OOMV6]

Is there no sign indicating roundabout ahead?

[TheBoy]

The council are never logical about these things 

That A43 is quite fast for a dual carriage way, so god knows what they were thinking 

Not sure if its a Brackley Town or County council decision, but rest assured, the Mayoress' right hand lady will get an earbending over it Thursday night 

Similar to the earbending she got (as Mayoress herself) when they granted planning permission for housing on the (new) Leisure centre's playing fields, so there is no outdoor leisure activities, and they cant move pool to there. Dimwits...

[tunnie]

While your at it, worth mentioning the complete lack of decent road surface on the radstone road? 

[TheBoy]

Is there no sign indicating roundabout ahead?

Yup, and 3/2/1 countdowns.

There is just something about this roundabout thats unsighted when dark.  As I said, its about 3 miles from me, I do it regularly, I know it very well, but with streetlights off, its caught me out twice. Not sure if its the fast sweepers approaching it, or exit of a busy, blind layby on the approach, but without streetlighting, weirdly, you find yourself all unsettled approaching it.


I suspect the dummies will make it a 30 limit, rather than fix the problem they created...

[TheBoy]

While your at it, worth mentioning the complete lack of decent road surface on the radstone road? 

Only those living on the Swingers Estate ever use that . And me on my test circuit

[tunnie]

While your at it, worth mentioning the complete lack of decent road surface on the radstone road? 

Only those living on the Swingers Estate ever use that . And me on my test circuit

That explains why its so bad 

[OOMV6]

Is there no sign indicating roundabout ahead?

Guess so, then.

[TheBoy]

Is there no sign indicating roundabout ahead?

Guess so, then.

Reply #8

[Varche]

Is there no sign indicating roundabout ahead?

Quite probably but I don't know the roundabout so can't say. The thing is with this scenario is it is more nanny state. People have become lazy driving around in their protected cocoons (air bags, ABS, radial tyres) and don't need to think. The answer is quite simple but not desirable - Install speed humps, rumble strips, chicanes, more lights and more signs.

On the latter I recently drove along the A64 in Yorkshire for the first time in years. The reflections from all the proliferation of road signs is amazing at night. Some of the more unusual signs were:

Every single power cable that crossed the road is marked by four signs on the verge - even those higher than an adjacent bridge. They all have to be kept clear of grass each year.

One small roundabout has over 30 signs on it are very near it. Most relate to 30 speed limit which most normal drivers would not be able to do as it is very tight. The cost to the taxpayer of all these signs- £500 a time maybe!

On the dual carriageway there are signs on the central Armco (every100metres) which take some deciphering but believe it of not are Km signs from the A1 junction(I believe) since when did Britain use km on its roads.?   

[Taxi_Driver]

Swindon council tried turning off street lighting......claiming it would save them £20k/year in leccy bills. IMO its a sad state of affairs if they are concerned about saving £20k/year..
They then turned some back on and more off.....

Now they have declared, due to public demand....they are turning them all back on again.

I wonder how much council tax that little exercise cost us