Galway motorists really grinding my gears

what_traffic

FortySeven wrote: »

Is the moderator a cyclist or something?

Au contraire as the French would say.

phelixoflaherty

Pedestrian?

galwaycyclist

FortySeven wrote: »

Is the moderator a cyclist or something?

Shhhh we're not supposed to use the "c" word in here.

ben.schlomo

Do we really need another thread for FortySeven and Galwaycyclist to have it out again? Its causing congestion, i suggest a new forum for them, to allow the rest of us more freedom to move around.

Mrs OBumble

Was it really worse than usual? I left the office at 6:15, caught the 6:05 bus which was running 10 mins late, and was inside my house before 7pm. Sure there were some queues, but they were moving. Nothing like the delays I remember from 2007.

thebackbar

traffic was absolutely brutal last night...

its seems that appointing a person to monitor/manage the traffic isn't a priority for the city council.

http://connachttribune.ie/traffic-chiefs-exit-causes-roads-chaos606/

We really can't get the basics right in Galway ...

cgcsb

Juran wrote: »

galway city council + poor traffic mgt + no proper public transport system + talking about a bypass for 20 yrs instead of building one = heavy traffic

You forgot the most important problem:
Planning. Endless sprawling houses with no infrastructure was always going to end bad.

galwaycyclist

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Do we really need another thread for FortySeven and Galwaycyclist to have it out again? Its causing congestion, i suggest a new forum for them, to allow the rest of us more freedom to move around.

You mean like our very own bypass? Yipee

45mhrc7evo1d3n

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Was it really worse than usual?

Traffic was at standstill around the University and Hospital. Inbound traffic was stretching all the way back to St Mary's Road. I rarely recall seeing it that bad in the evening.

snubbleste

Was on QB yesterday heading east
~40 vehicles queued in the left lane, no queue in the right lane.
Cars speeding along the right lane and pushing into the left lane at the end. No shame. How can all those queuing just let them in? How frustrating is that!

what_traffic

what_traffic wrote: »

I reckon it will be post #19

Scuttled by a thread merge!

thesandeman

what_traffic wrote: »

Scuttled by a thread merge!

At least a bit of humour has entered the thread(s)((ss))zzz.....

bobbyss

snubbleste wrote: »

Was on QB yesterday heading east
~40 vehicles queued in the left lane, no queue in the right lane.
Cars speeding along the right lane and pushing into the left lane at the end. No shame. How can all those queuing just let them in? How frustrating is that!

Once heading east when there was a huge queue, almost going back to the Aran Islands, I got on the outside lane. I made a mental note of a coloured truck that I had passed on the inside lane. I went on outside lane turned into GSC exited Mulvoy Road and turned right towards Dunnes all done without a bother. Saw truck not making much progress.

I could have pushed my way into left turn at end of QB (instead of going into the SC) but am hugely angered by drivers who do that.

MaxFlower

dastardly00 wrote: »

We work in the same industrial estate, not in the same workplace We start and finish work at different, varying times, and we both don't always go home straight away. Hence, we don't car pool

If two people going out together, working in the same Ind Est (its not that big btw) and living together, can't work out a schedule whereby they can share a car to commute for the majority of their trips, what hope have the rest of us.

TerrorFirmer

MaxFlower wrote: »

If two people going out together, working in the same Ind Est (its not that big btw) and living together, can't work out a schedule whereby they can share a car to commute for the majority of their trips, what hope have the rest of us.

We start and finish work at different, varying times, and we both don't always go home straight away.

That seems fairly straight forward. You hardly expect them to either arrive at work hours early or spend hours after their shift twiddling their thumbs?

Whether or not they work in the same estate, same building, or even man the same desk is totally irrelevant.

snubbleste

You know those dispersed speed detection signs, that flash up your speed and say 'slow down' or 'thank you'..?
Well, do they detect cyclists?

gordongekko

snubbleste wrote: »

You know those dispersed speed detection signs, that flash up your speed and say 'slow down' or 'thank you'..?
Well, do they detect cyclists?

where did you think you saw a speeding cyclist?

biko

No they don't, at least they haven't detected me. And I bike fast enough to show.

what_traffic

snubbleste wrote: »

You know those dispersed speed detection signs, that flash up your speed and say 'slow down' or 'thank you'..?
Well, do they detect cyclists?

They do but ya need to be going above 35km before it detects ya. That is true for the one in Ballybane/Ballybrit near McGreals.

snubbleste

gordongekko wrote: »

where did you think you saw a speeding cyclist?

I never did! Quelle horreur!

I disagree biko. I suspect they are because I was cycling and adjacent motorists were stuck in a jam. And the message flashed up XXkph. Thank you.
I was chuffed.:cool:

what_traffic

snubbleste wrote: »

I suspect they are because I was cycling and adjacent motorists were stuck in a jam. And the message flashed up XXkph. Thank you.
I was chuffed.:cool:

Which one was that?

snubbleste

what_traffic wrote: »

Which one was that?

Lough Atalia Road. I was cycling on the white line during static traffic.
However the sign has since been vandalised. Maybe it was faulty

what_traffic

snubbleste wrote: »

Lough Atalia Road. I was cycling on the white line during static traffic.
However the sign has since been vandalised. Maybe it was faulty

Probably did pick you up if you were on white line. I thought that one did not have a speed feedback feature? or has it been replaced?
For the one in Ballybrit/Ballybane need to be in the Center of the Lane to get it activated when on the bike.

snubbleste

what_traffic wrote: »

Probably did pick you up if you were on white line. I thought that one did not have a speed feedback feature? or has it been replaced?...

It did work up until recently. And yes it does have an effect on most motorists as they slow down. The nearby giant flowerbox was also vandalised.

what_traffic

I learned recently that these "speed detector feedback signs" also gather statistical information on speeds. So Council will know how much speeding occurs on any street that have these signs installed. I don't know does it gather this info with time stamps. Probably need to get a local Cll'r to submit a Q at the Monthly meetings to get more information from the Council Executive.

joeKel73

gordongekko wrote: »

where did you think you saw a speeding cyclist?

They do - I got picked up coming into Oranmore from Clarinbridge when there was no other traffic on the road. A friend of mine says he's been picked up running on quiet roads too.

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

Moo Moo Land

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

What's your highest?

Mrs OBumble

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

Hopefully, yes.

what_traffic

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

Probably not but essentially people like you are just making a stronger case for a permanent speed trap to be installed at this location. Council are gathering statistics on speeds at these locations.

jjpep

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

And this is why people can't be trusted with cars....

Chuchote

Galway is a nice size of city for cycling. If its council would build decent infrastructure, a lot of people (not talking to OP or others with very young kids in the car) could zip around easily cycling, and those who have to drive would stop having embolism-causing gear-grinding in the traffic jams.

And of course its drivers need lessons in correct and courteous use of indicators, as do drivers all over Ireland. It's so incredibly mean to join a filtered lane and not indicate.

Zzippy

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

This kind of thing is why you're really popular on this forum. Every time I think I can't read something dumber on boards you prove me wrong. Well done!

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

This kind of thing is why you're really popular on this forum. Every time I think I can't read something dumber on boards you prove me wrong. Well done!

Ah come on, it's a bit of fun and was meant to be a light hearted comment. Some of them detection signs are in fairly harmless places too especially if you are travelling late at night or in very light traffic. it's not like I was meaning one outside a school at home time. Some people really need to lighten up.

The King of Moo

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Ah come on, it's a bit of fun and was meant to be a light hearted comment. Some of them detection signs are in fairly harmless places too especially if you are travelling late at night or in very light traffic. it's not like I was meaning one outside a school at home time. Some people really need to lighten up.

I can't think of any danger involved in speeding at night.

The King of Moo

The King of Moo wrote: »

I can't think of any danger involved in speeding at night.

Yes because that's exactly what I said. Also i hate the term speeding, exceeding some arbitrary number someone pulled out of their arse about 50 years ago and all the sheep think it actually mean something. Like look at the 100kmh standard speed limit, set when cars were piles of crap compared to what we drive today never mind if you drive a performance oriented car like I do where 100kmh is just ticking over and the brake discs are as big as the wheels on a lot of cars (which means the brakes are very good incase you don't get that).

jjpep

Let me guess, you're fast but safe right? Guys like are the problem that everyone else has to put up with on the road. Your so convinced of your own immortality that you can't concive how random chance can intervine and ruin yours or someone else's life.

Chuchote

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Yes because that's exactly what I said. Also i hate the term speeding, exceeding some arbitrary number someone pulled out of their arse about 50 years ago and all the sheep think it actually mean something. Like look at the 100kmh standard speed limit, set when cars were piles of crap compared to what we drive today never mind if you drive a performance oriented car like I do where 100kmh is just ticking over and the brake discs are as big as the wheels on a lot of cars (which means the brakes are very good incase you don't get that).

Have pedestrians' and cyclists' bodies changed in the last 100 years? If you hit us with your 2-tonne car, are we now protected by a diamond-hard carapace?

Cheshire Cat

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

The King of Moo wrote: »

I can't think of any danger involved in speeding at night.

Yes because that's exactly what I said. Also i hate the term speeding, exceeding some arbitrary number someone pulled out of their arse about 50 years ago and all the sheep think it actually mean something. Like look at the 100kmh standard speed limit, set when cars were piles of crap compared to what we drive today never mind if you drive a performance oriented car like I do where 100kmh is just ticking over and the brake discs are as big as the wheels on a lot of cars (which means the brakes are very good incase you don't get that).

I recommend a move to Germany. The Autobahn was made for you!

Chuchote

Chuchote wrote: »

Have pedestrians' and cyclists' bodies changed in the last 100 years? If you hit us with your 2-tonne car, are we now protected by a diamond-hard carapace?

While pedestrians have not got any stronger cars are designed to minimise the injury done to pedestrians so there is actually a big big difference in the injury you will get being hit by a modern car and one from 50 years ago or even 20 years ago.

That's on top of the vast difference in braking, handling (thus ability to avoid ovsticles) and lighting (making it much easier to see pedestrians in places they shouldn't be like the middle of the road). In any case if you are hit at 100kmh you might as well be hit at 200kmh you are dead either way which is another stupid thing about people's worshipping of speed limits, they assume they are save when observing them when in fact they often aren't or on the other hand it's often safe to exceed them.

Also pedestrians should not be on the road endangering themselves and then they won't need to worry about getting hurt while cyclists should be well lit and keep out of the way of cars as much as possible.

Cheshire Cat wrote: »

I recommend a move to Germany. The Autobahn was made for you!

Our motorways are better roads than a lot of the autobahns why do you think it's safe there but not here?

what_traffic

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Also pedestrians should not be on the road endangering themselves and then they won't need to worry about getting hurt while cyclists should be well lit and keep out of the way of cars as much as possible.

Can you explain this in more detail? Do you propose to put footpaths and streetlights in every road in Ireland for pedestrians Or are you just spouting out the usual old NOX-nonsense?

charlie_says

Don't drive into the yellow hatched boxes and stop.

Worst offenders are people at Salmon Weir Bridge who then block any bus getting over the river due to the bus needing the hatched box to turn onto the bridge.

Instant gridlock.

snubbleste

charlie_says wrote: »

Don't drive into the yellow hatched boxes and stop.
Worst offenders are people at Salmon Weir Bridge who then block any bus getting over the river due to the bus needing the hatched box to turn onto the bridge...

In fairness now, I've noticed a chunk of those motorists are not local and may not be aware that a bus needs all that space to navigate the corner.

?Cee?view

snubbleste wrote: »

In fairness now, I've noticed a chunk of those motorists are not local and may not be aware that a bus needs all that space to navigate the corner.

But they don't need to be local to know they should keep out of the hatched area.

?Cee?view

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Am I the only one who tries to get the highest speed I can up on them speed detection signs :pac:

I know you think you're being funny here and normally I'm not one to agree with revenue generating speed traps, but in the case of all these in detector things in Galway, I can't think of one that isn't appropriately sited. They're all in residential areas where a child could run on to a road at any stage and no amount of ABS or EBD will deal with that.

dastardly00

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Some of them detection signs are in fairly harmless places too especially if you are travelling late at night or in very light traffic.

Can you reference some of these locations?

WallyGUFC

dastardly00 wrote: »

Can you reference some of these locations?

Sean Mulvoy Road would be fairly harmless but I suppose there was a bad crash there a few years ago due to reckless driving (?) so probably warranted as a deterrent.

Cheshire Cat

Amalia Melodic Racism wrote: »

Our motorways are better roads than a lot of the autobahns why do you think it's safe there but not here?

I never said or implied that the Autobahn was safer. All I said, was that it would suit you. The motorway here has a speed limit of 120, far too low for you and your performance car

beardybrewer

snubbleste wrote: »

In fairness now, I've noticed a chunk of those motorists are not local and may not be aware that a bus needs all that space to navigate the corner.

In double fairness, weren't they meant to add a proper pedestrian footpath to Salmon Wier bridge years ago? It's so narrow as it is (for both cars and pedestrians) I'm surprised there aren't accidents/gridlock there all the time.


Regarding the speed indicator signs my bit of feedback would be there are antagonising signs that flash angrily at you even when you're not speeding (e.g. doing 48 in a 50) and then there are the nice ones that say 'thank you'. I think the former undermines their purpose as they're never happy while the friendly ones actually make you want to see a green 'thank you' instead of a red 'too fast'. That may sound stupid to some, but Jonathan Ive is a household name because design matters.

If they are keeping statistics I would bet 90% of traffic is speeding on the Western Distributor. Most don't push 60kph, but most go at or around 50kph. Raising it to 55kph (still not even 35mph) would likely drop that number to 20%.

snubbleste

beardybrewer wrote: »

..
If they are keeping statistics I would bet 90% of traffic is speeding on the Western Distributor. Most don't push 60kph, but most go at or around 50kph. Raising it to 55kph (still not even 35mph) would likely drop that number to 20%.

No need to bet, just go and stand by the sign and observe :cool: