Temporary Traffic Lights

Yesterday a set of traffic lights failed on our school run route. Our friendly bus driver says it didn't make much difference to the traffic flow, drivers coped well with having no traffic lights. 

Something I've seen before when commuting through Nottingham. Lights or no lights - didn't seem to make a dramatic difference to traffic flow.

Then a set of temporary traffic lights were installed and things changed quite dramatically. It took us 40 minutes to complete a 4 mile journey. Maybe get rid of the lights and save energy is the lesson. Or get rid of the bureaucrats. Or both.

The open road

Yesterday we took the MX5 out for a trip to Bakewell. No particular reason but it was a fine morning and with the top down and a blue sky above it was bound to be enjoyable. Padded jackets, gloves and a woolly hat to keep the head from freezing and off we go. The car thermometer said 2°C but with heated seats and the heater on it wasn’t cold.

From the hills above Matlock we could see the Derwent valley full of fluffy white mist as it often is on a cold morning. One day I’ll remember to bring my camera but not this time. As we drove down the valley the car thermometer fell to -1°C which for us is a record for open top motoring. May as well enjoy it while we can – that’s our attitude.

Road accident

This morning we were fretting over an unusual tailback of traffic before we realised it was due to an accident about fifty yards further on. A recent collision between a car and a motorcycle, both badly damaged and the motorcyclist still lying in the road.

It was broad daylight, dry and impossible to see who may have been at fault. Although road accidents are far more common than they ought to be, the sight of one is an extremely sobering reminder of perspectives.

From one perspective drivers often criticise the endless petty restrictions, prohibitions and warnings which are a part their lives. I certainly do. The criticisms are usually valid too, because much of the time driving is a frustrating, almost humiliating chore.

Yet from another perspective serious road accidents are personal disasters which ripple out from a moment of inattention and damage lives, sometimes permanently. The pressure to minimise them is entirely understandable. 

Quick reactions

It isn't new but I was recently sent this link to a test from JustPark and haven't tried it before.

It purports to be a very simple test which uses your reaction times to estimate your age. After a few goes it seems to estimate my age as somewhere between 25 and 30 years less than my real age. I'd love to be thrilled with that, but I suspect it either doesn't work or is skewed to please.

Mad jet bike

The UN says this guy can make his bike carbon neutral by buying pieces of paper called carbon credits. My guess says he isn't quite that mad.

Multi-tasking

Example 1

Dual-carriageway, traffic flowing at about 65 mph. A driver on the inside lane suddenly moves into the outside lane, slotting her car between another car and a large truck while rummaging around on the passenger seat, one hand on the steering-wheel.

Tasks achieved simultaneously.

Changing lanes.

In-car housekeeping.

Annoyed lorry-driver.

Example 2

A busy street, lots of pedestrians. A guy in an Audi Q7 drives down the road while staring out of the side window with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cup of coffee.

Tasks achieved simultaneously

Personal refreshment.

Alarmed pedestrians.

Sightseeing.

Crazies II

The other day we were walking through the main shopping street of our small town. It was Sunday, so there were only a few people around. Behind us we heard the sound of a vehicle. The street is block-paved for pedestrians, but vehicles are allowed through at certain times, so we stepped aside.

A 4x4 zoomed past at about 40mph. A narrow street, lined with small shops. In those surroundings, 40mph is fast - insanely dangerous too. Good job we didn't wander across the street and aren't hard of hearing. No point making an issue of it though. It's only a slice of daily life isn't it - one of those crazy slices?

Crazies

This morning as I tootled along the dual carriageway, a Toyota Prius passed me doing at least 80mph. About ten feet from his tail was a Ford S-Max. Which of the two should take the prize for crazy guy of the day? The faux environmentalist or the nutter at the wheel of the Ford?

Car fetish

How can anyone possibly find stuff like this interesting? It's just a car!