|
You've only got to watch You Tube clips of traffic in Indian cities to realise how lucky we are in good ole Blighty.
|
|
|
It was mentioned above that UK road surfaces are better than those on the Contintent. In my experience this has not been the case, at least on Autoroutes/Autobahnen.
However, the roads in the UK do certainly seem to be a lot safer than those in the majority of countries on mainland Europe.
Happy weekend.
|
I've driven to Munich from the UK several times, and to S France and Italy. The Autoroutes generally are a pleasure, and it's immense fun seeing how fast you can go on the Autobahn, but I have been really surprised at the poor quality of the road surface and sheer volume of roadworks in Germany.
It was especially bad on the Munich - Nurnburg - Frankfurt stretch, where almost constand roadworks turned the who section into a royal pain in the backside.
Compared to that, the three lanes of decent tarmac that is the norm in the UK is a real pleasure.
Also, much to my surprise, the speed camera enforced variable limits on the M42 have transformed the stretch S of Birmingham during rush hour. Well done them.
|
"sheer volume of roadworks in Germany"
German government has instigated a massive road renewal and repair program as part of its efforts to combat recession and reduce unemployment
|
|
|
|
It was mentioned above that UK road surfaces are better than those on the Cont intent.
I have seen many roads in alpine areas of the continent with a surface that makes our roads look like something from the third world. And they survive weather conditions far worse than anything in the UK.
|
|
We drive on the proper side (well most of the time)
|
|
Well said PU, they may drive on the right, but we drive on the correct.
|
|
I'm with Rob81 - plenty of roads where you can extend your chosen choice of transport with very little fear of um, interest from the authorities. Decent twisty roads too!
|
Sorry guys - the OP did say it should apply to the UK !!
I hardly recognise anything that people have stated if I'm honest.
The roads in the Midlands are terrible and full of pot holes.
In terms of having enough roads with little fear of interset - that may be true now but the government have now started rolling out a network of average speed cameras on urban roads so that will be short lived.
I agree that we do not have corruption form the authorities but we do have it with legalised clampers - and there are sufficient cameras for them to collect cash without corruption.
The only good thing is that you do not have many police on the roads pestering you as mentioned above because they are all to busy processing speed camera photos and staying warm in the office filling out forms.
|
they are all to busy processing speed camera photos and staying warm in the office filling out forms.
Or attending road traffic accidents in the pouring rain at 3am. Or even during rush hour where they are pretty efficient in my experience in Strathclyde.
I'm glad i've never had to clean up the aftermath of one of those, but they do it all the time.
Must be doubly frustrating as a traffic officer seeing bad driving... ?
EDIT: not my accident, i was just in the traffic that was stopped and was half watching, half trying to avoid seeing a mangled body...
Edited by CraigP on 22/01/2010 at 18:36
|
Point taken Craig - nothing against the coppers - I just struggle to understand a society that burdens our law enforcement with targets that subsequently lead to a form of corruption because when a policeman has to worry about not making enough arrests or making enough charges in a month he will clearly go for the easy stuff first.
I am saying the system is wrong.
|
I have driven all over Europe and USA, parts of the middle east, and the best parts of UK roads / UK driving are-let me think...
ignoring the middle east because like Ireland they are still getting used to a car as compared to a donkey/ camel etc,
a general habit of driving within the law,
some good behaviour, apart from BMW drivers,
thats it but then most of Europe has traffic problems as bad if not worse than us and they manage quite well, most of the time.
I think we are different, are we better? no I dont think so.
more ramblings,,
road surface generally is poor
if anything a lack of Police on the road.
great lack of good through roads A roads
some awful road/ junction design
a lot of old poorly maintained and uninsured cars( we can fix this but we dont, why not?)
Petrol prices WAY Too high- but hopefully we should be able to do something about that soon by voting, a brave new idea.
|
I think the US- outside cities- is a far more relaxed form of driving. UK is too frenetic nowadays.
Good point- to me is that no one else is on the M1 at 3 am, so that is when I go south.
Sadly, I have to come back when the traffic is a thick as molasses.
|
"I just struggle to understand a society that burdens our law"
The thread`s degenerating into negativity, isn`t it? - despite the title.
I thought it might be a chance to reverse the `general trend` and make us feel better about things - at least for the weekend.
Edited by oilrag on 22/01/2010 at 21:06
|
I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned this: the scenery.
In the part of Scotland where I live, I'm a fairly short drive from some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK. Half an hour in the car, for example, and I'm at the foot of Tinto Hill. An hour later I'm at the top, enjoying my sandwiches and the exercise and the feeling that you get on the tops of hills.
Thats just one example.
|
I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned this: the scenery.
It certainly adds to the fun of a good run, avoiding colliding with it!
|
And the roads through that scenery!!
I rediscovered a rather fantastic video taken about 10 years ago from the passenger seat of my mate's Toyota Supra as we went over Hardknott pass in the mist. Was about the 6th time we'd been over that week (we were staying in Boot), and it was a brilliant car for that sort of road, you could just stay in 2nd and zoom up. Very atmospheric and exciting.
Happy days.
|
I thought it might be a chance to reverse the 'generel trend' and make us feel better about things - at least for the weekend.
Don't be silly, how would we be able to uphold the 'grumpy old men' banner?
Almost anywhere you go in the UK, there is always a friendly pub nearby to have a few jars of your favourite tipple.
|
|
On topic - We have the best car forums in the world.
|
|
|
