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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4105 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:39 pm Post subject: Highway Code |
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I like to think that I know and adhere to the highway code. However I took my driving tests in the 80's and things change, how does one keep up with changes?
The reason I pose the question is because a work colleague has just been fined and got 3 penalty points for crossing an ASL under a red light. If like me you had to ask what an ASL is, its the additional line added to some junctions to create a space for cyclists; rule 178 of the highway code.
I have seen the ASL lines but never understood exactly how they worked, so potentially have crossed an ASL under red.
Whilst ignorance of the law is not an excuse. how are we supposed to keep up with change?
Dave |
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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 3815 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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I too think I may be guilty of that one, I also didn't know what an ASL is. I wonder how many of us would? _________________ Various Rootes Vehicles. |
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Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:57 am Post subject: |
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Advanced Stop Line - around here the area between them and the stop line for motorised vehicles is a different colour with the outline of a bicycle in white.
The thing is, in all the years they've been in place, I've never seen a cyclist stopped behind one, not once. _________________ David
1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5 |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22447 Location: UK
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Phil - Nottingham
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:14 am Post subject: |
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I did not know what an ASL is or that it is an offence to cross it. The chap must have been unlucky with that offence. How many times do you see drivers stopping incorrectly Box junctions? _________________ Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2 |
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Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Rick wrote: | I often stop over part of the ASL too, you live and learn. Personally I don't much like having one or more cyclists clustered at the front of the queue anyway, why not keep to the side like it always used to be?
Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.
RJ |
Best cyclists are where they can be seen I think Rick. The nearside of vehicles, especially HGVs, isn't the best place in case they turn left and the cyclist is going straight on. At least with ASL cyclists are able to get away in front - provided they stop in the first place... _________________ David
1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5 |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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Having not seen a cyclist stop at a red light for many years, I really can't see the point of the ASL line other than to catch motorists out and increase revenues. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1954 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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IIRC..[I'm retired, been that way for 18 months...so I have deliberately left my old job way way behind!]......one can stop within the area of the ASL....providing.....one has already crossed the correct 'stop' line, when the lights go to amber..and one can stop comfortably & safely before the ASL.
If one has also crossed the ASL when the lights go to amber, then one is not under the control of those traffic lights, and should continue when safe to do so....something which many drivers [of the basic sort]....dont realise, and end up blocking the junction for others....
Crossing the Stop line when the lights are red is an offence in anybody's book. Given the scarcity of Constables..certainly in my part of the country....actually 'being seen' is unlikely.....even less so when one factors in the amount of 'harm' the infringement has created? IE, Will that rarity, the Constable, even be bothered? |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
Phil - Nottingham wrote: | I did not know what an ASL is or that it is an offence to cross it. The chap must have been unlucky with that offence. How many times do you see drivers stopping incorrectly Box junctions? |
Not as many times as I see them refusing to enter and stop when turning right.
Quote: | Rule 174
Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping. |
_________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, but in my ignorance I thought ASL was "automatic speed limiter" as found on cruise controls... |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1954 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | Sorry, but in my ignorance I thought ASL was "automatic speed limiter" as found on cruise controls... |
Isn't that an Anti Social Behaviour Order? |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1735 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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alastairq wrote: |
Crossing the Stop line when the lights are red is an offence in anybody's book. Given the scarcity of Constables..certainly in my part of the country....actually 'being seen' is unlikely.....even less so when one factors in the amount of 'harm' the infringement has created? IE, Will that rarity, the Constable, even be bothered? |
You're forgetting the cash cameras that many traffic lights are equipped with these days. Just like speed cameras, some of them seem to be set up deliberately to catch you you out - there's a particularly blatant example of that on the east side of Cardiff that I think I've mentioned on here before. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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I may have mentioned my pet "hate" when it comes to modern road design. It is the placing of pedestrian crossings (cycles included) that are controlled by traffic lights AT MAJOR ROUNDABOUTS!!. You approach the roundabout usually on a dual carriageway and see traffic lights up ahead which you expect to be controlling traffic but when you get there the lights are actually for pedestrians!!! You may not be aware of this especially at night so when the lights go green you might naturally think it is safe to go but NO!! Before you know it you are standing the car on it's nose as traffic approaches at speed from your right. |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1735 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:38 am Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | I may have mentioned my pet "hate" when it comes to modern road design. It is the placing of pedestrian crossings (cycles included) that are controlled by traffic lights AT MAJOR ROUNDABOUTS!!. You approach the roundabout usually on a dual carriageway and see traffic lights up ahead which you expect to be controlling traffic but when you get there the lights are actually for pedestrians!!! You may not be aware of this especially at night so when the lights go green you might naturally think it is safe to go but NO!! Before you know it you are standing the car on it's nose as traffic approaches at speed from your right. |
Yes, an immensely stupid piece of design work that's only cropped up in the last few years. It's not DC, but there's a classic on the Aberdare bypass - a Pelican crossing right on the roundabout and under a footbridge with nice easy ramps! The crossing has only appeared in the last couple of years but the bridge looks to be contemporary with the road and was certainly there first. Presumably the idiots on the local council decided on the crossing because people were too lazy to walk over the bridge, but I would have thought that some nice big railings to stop people nipping straight across the road would have been more appropriate.
IMO it's just as dangerous by day when it's obvious the lights are for pedestrians, especially on a busy road like the aforementioned Aberdare bypass, and even more so when the roundabouts are too small - like most of them. You stop for traffic coming from the right but then have to pull away smartly to take advantage of a gap in the traffic, if not you'll be there all day - then the lights change, everything stops and just as Ray says you have to stand the car on its nose to avoid a smash. A smash which would of course be the fault of you the driver involved, not the idiot who put a crossing in a stupid place to save a few other idiots having to walk a few yards to cross the road safely... |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:03 am Post subject: |
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The brakes on my Range Rover are fantastic. The brakes on my Dodge are not.
If I had encountered this stupid crossing/lights combination in the Dodge, only the fact that it has such leisurely accelleration would have avoided a collision.
With regard to the line for a cycle crossing, although I have never known what it is called, I have always stopped at it. I don't recall any public information about all the changes that have been introduced. For example, when the Belisha beacon appeared on the scene, there were public information films showing people how to cross the road at a Zebra crossing. What we have these days is far more confusing and just a little advice would be helpful. |
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