Did you know that there are purely metric signs (without any imperial conversions) on major roads at one hundred metre intervals? If you know this, you are one of the few who do. I am referring to marker posts and driver location signs. These signs are used by the emergency services to help them to locate stranded drivers and are incompatible with the official traffic signs for the general public, which are almost exclusively imperial.
Continue reading “DfT hides metric nature of location signs from general public”Tag: signs
Legal ambiguity of dual unit restriction signs
Dual units have been mandatory on restriction signs since TSRGD 2016. For height restrictions, the imperial and metric units normally appear on a single sign though they can appear on separate adjacent signs. Most height restriction traffic signs for bridges now show dual units. If your vehicle complies with both values, you can drive under the bridge. If your vehicle does not comply with either value, you cannot drive under the bridge. But what if your vehicle complies with only one of the values? Can you drive under the bridge in this case?
Continue reading “Legal ambiguity of dual unit restriction signs”Why do highway authorities take so long to replace worn-out signs?
There are some worn-out signs that have been in place for months, possibly years, but await replacement. On 4 May 2023, I contacted my local council to ask them to replace a worn-out height sign with a new one. It has been worn out for at least two years but has still not been replaced. I know that it has been worn out for this long because I still have a picture of this worn-out sign that I took on 26 May 2021. Despite informing the local council highway authority that it needs replacement, it has still not been replaced.
Continue reading “Why do highway authorities take so long to replace worn-out signs?”Miles beyond transport
Here we will look at some visible displays of miles that are totally unrelated to road transport, the one major area of British life where miles are used across the UK. The images shown in this article demonstrate the enormous influence of British mile-based road signs for speed and distance on British society.
Continue reading “Miles beyond transport”Multiple conversions for same social distances
If you thought social distancing was simple, think again. Ronnie Cohen draws attention some examples of confusing conversions. When will we learn to think metric and not convert?
Continue reading “Multiple conversions for same social distances”Our awkward vehicle specifications
Ronnie Cohen looks at some consequences for the motorist of the UK’s measurement muddle.
Continue reading “Our awkward vehicle specifications”Legal position on metric social distance signs
Now that we have all become accustomed to metric social distance signs, it might be a good time to look at their legality, which some have questioned. Ronnie Cohen has investigated and reports his conclusions.
Continue reading “Legal position on metric social distance signs”British drivers’ exposure to metres
Ronnie Cohen takes a look at some of the ways in which British drivers are exposed to metric measures. Metric Views would be interested hear of readers’ experiences, though it is not possible, unfortunately, to post photos with your comments.
DfT expects drivers to be familiar with metres and that’s official
Ronnie Cohen reports on his recent correspondence with the UK Department for Transport (DfT).
Continue reading “DfT expects drivers to be familiar with metres and that’s official”
Imperial on the surface, metric beneath
Following on from his article about the far-reaching influence of the measurement units used on road traffic signs, Ronnie Cohen now takes a look at the signs themselves and the roads they complement.
Metric Views 