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  • "
    Mark1970 wrote:
    @ somerset_kidd all traffic lights are set up at a certain point on any road. Even down a 50 mph route you will find that they have been measured along the route. So really that is no indication of speed. The rule of thumb is that you follow the last speed sign that you came across, especially if it is in a residential zone. Road signs are mainly useless to be honest, having speed limits painted on the road are far more effective.

    In bad weather conditions, you concentrate on driving, so you look at the road rather than road signs, it is more dangerous to glance at a sign on the road. taking your eyes from in front of you, than what it is reading something in front of you.

    Most drivers will drive accordingly if a long stretch of road then they will drive faster if they do not see a speed sign, 30 MPH zone on the tarmac is far better.
    In a 40, 50 or 20mph zone, and there is street lamps set out at regular intervals, there is a speed limit sign to remind motorists of the speed. by law there dosnt need to be any for a 30 zone, but there must be for any other speed limits. When new drivers are being taught, they learn to observe everything around them, not just the car infront. If you are observing everything around you, other motorists, pedesrians, road signage, not just the rear bumper of the car infront. If a car a few cars up deciedes to slams on the brakes, everything else will. If you are being observant of everything around you, you will notice this, and slow down way in advance avoiding accidents. If you are just glued to the back bumper of the car infront your more likely to go straight up the back of them.
    Yes its a bit long winded, but my point is theres lots of things you should observe, and know, to drive on the roads safely"
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Ruishton Parish Council concerned over speeding on A358

6:30am Friday 8th June 2012 in Taunton Photograph of the Author By Daniel Milligan

Doug Lowe next to the traffic lights. PHOTO: Jeff Searle Doug Lowe next to the traffic lights. PHOTO: Jeff Searle

SPEEDING and traffic lights on a “grey area for motorists” on the A358 around the park-and-ride towards Henlade are causing concern for Ruishton and Thornfalcon Parish Council.

And this week Doug Lowe, chairman of the parish council, said he aired his worries at a meeting with Somerset County Council back in January.

His concerns included drivers going through red stop lights at the traffic light junction with Ruishton Lane and the speed of motorists approaching from the motorway junction.

He told the County Gazette: “People don’t realise it’s a 30mph speed limit and the whole of it is a grey area for motorists.

“I fear for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. I’d like the county to come up with a safe solution and get to the bottom of it all.”

A Freedom of Information Act request to Avon and Somerset Police from the parish council revealed that a mobile camera has been deployed on the eastbound route of the A358 53 times and westbound 61 times in the past year.

The results saw 4,257 speeding notices issued to eastbound traffic and 891 to westbound traffic heading towards the motorway junction.

In separate requests, the force said 867 offences were detected on the same stretch of the A358 in February and 1,130 in March.

A county council spokesman said: “With regard to the traffic lights we continue to monitor driver behaviour at this location and road safety is of paramount importance to us, so we need to keep this under constant review.

“While there have been no recorded accidents at the junction with Ruishton Lane to date, we’re aware that there’s a perceived risk and are investigating any possible options to mitigate this. The 30mph speed limit through Henlade is by virtue of the system of street lights and the Department for Transport does not allow additional 30mph repeater signs.

“The speed limit is due to be reviewed and all interested parties will be consulted should changes be proposed.”

What are your thoughts on this stretch of road? Let us know.

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