Drivers unable to see roundabout shocker!

[MontyVeda]

After some 50 years, the M6 to Heysham link road has opened and is hailed a great success... but.... there's a roundabout on it which is causing problems for some drivers.

It's not a small roundabout, and is signposted on the approach and has plenty of chevron signs (which seem to be getting crashed into) on the roundabout itself.

Some members of the local facebook group are calling for street lighting, rumble strips and bigger/more roundabout signs... whilst others are suggesting they simply pay attention to the road ahead when they're driving, especially at night. You can guess which group I'm in.

Here's a photo of the troublesome roundabout...

I'm not a driver, never have been... but is something the size of a roundabout on a dual carriageway the sort of thing that 'appears' unexpected... or is it the sort of thing a driver should half expect and be able to deal with accordingly? Do they need to be lit? Do they need rumble strips? Do they need 'idiot proof' signage?

 

[I like Skol]

The only way to idiot-proof these things is to keep the idiots away but apparently every idiot claims to have the 'right' to be allowed to drive, so imposing higher standards, tougher testing or more draconian penalties for getting it wrong are not acceptable!

 

[Drago]

Automated speed activated tasers in the signage.

 

[summerdays]

Certainly in that photo my eyes are drawn into the distance.... skipping the roundabout ... (that could just be that photo), but the approach angle looks quite different to normal.

 

[Drago]

I bet you would go with my plan for yellow box snipers.

It was the laxative tipped bullets that caught my eye.

 

[smutchin]

the approach angle looks quite different to normal.

If you're approaching the roundabout from the angle the picture is taken from, you're definitely doing something wrong.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd say that the roundabout should be lit up at night along with warning bars/lines on the road.

 

[Spinney]

Standard signage should be sufficient. Maybe once they get used to the road they will remember it's there?
If they can't spot a roundabout from the signs (or even in their headlights) they shouldn't be on the road! Still, better than having the same morons trying to navigate through Lancaster on the way to Heysham!

 

[jefmcg]

Roads shouldn't be confusing. If many drivers are finding it hard, then there is a problem with the design. When I'm on a modern road, I expect my attention should be on other drivers and navigation, not differentiating between carriageway and obstacles.

Someone messed up at the drafting stage.

 

[nickyboy]

I think they could have done more to make it look more like a roundabout. Some bushes or whatever on the roundabout itself. And that "island" between lanes 1 and 2/3 is a bit indistinct.

Of course any decent driver should have no problem but folk will be coming off the M6 and transitioning onto something very motorway-like so I think the roundabout could and should be more obvious

Does lane 1 just continue round? That looks like Heysham nuclear power station in the background so you're looking west and there is no S exit, only N onto the A6. If that is the case the "island" between 1 and 2/3 definitely should be more obvious

 

[MontyVeda]

Standard signage should be sufficient. Maybe once they get used to the road they will remember it's there?
...

the common excuse seems to be "It's a new road, people don't know it." It really does beggar belief when people seem to think it's OK to approach a new road and presume it's going to be straight all the way... then get all defensive when a corner of some sort appears.

@nickyboy it's a brand new roundabout so is yet to be planted. If it had been planted the saplings would have been trashed by now anyway.

 

[Drago]

Or maybe there is a problem with many drivers? The road is inert, benign. It neither knows, cares or reacts to the many different ways people behave upon it. Problems caused by a vehicle in motion are the sole responsibility of the person controlling that vehicle.

That the majority of drivers are not crashing or soiling their Y fronts with fright would demonstrate that the design of the road is fundamentally sound, and people cause problems for themselves when they don't drive appropriately.

If the new signage, including "New Road Layout Ahead" signs set well in advance, clearly aren't helping the small of brain to concentrate, then some very high profile prosecutions and stiff penalties may do the trick.

 

[MontyVeda]

Roads shouldn't be confusing. If many drivers are finding it hard, then there is a problem with the design. When I'm on a modern road, I expect my attention should be on other drivers and navigation, not differentiating between carriageway and obstacles.

Someone messed up at the drafting stage.

it's not many, it's a handful. Three incidents so far (as far as I'm aware) out of thousands of cars and lorries each day.

 

[Lonestar]

Another problem with the new layouts are the drivers getting used to them.Had this down the Mile End Road for the last year.

Probably the same for me getting used to how it all works again.

 

[Spinney]

the common excuse seems to be "It's a new road, people don't know it." It really does beggar belief when people seem to think it's OK to approach a new road and presume it's going to be straight all the way... then get all defensive when a corner of some sort appears.

@nickyboy it's a brand new roundabout so is yet to be planted. If it had been planted the saplings would have been trashed by now anyway.

Sod the saplings - how about a huge geosculpture in the middle (aka a large pile of rocks). I suppose H&S would bleat that it wasn't safe for idiot drivers who can't see that the road turns a bit here...