Motorway Matrix Signs

[KKOB]

As someone who averages about 2,500 miles a week on UK roads I'm constantly irritated by the messages displayed on the motorway matrix signs.

One of the regular messages when it's raining is "SPRAY  SLOW DOWN". Now, I'm travelling in a vehicle on the motorway. Don't they think I can SEE the spray? And, why are they telling me to SLOW DOWN when they don't even know what speed I'm doing ?

Another one of they're "useful" messages is "JX  XX MILES  -  XX MINUTES". What speed do they use to make that calculation ?  There are vehicles travelling on that road at anything between 40mph and 80mph. Why even bother to put that information on the matrices?

How many of us have travelled for miles on a motorway with the matrices displaying SLOW - WORKFORCE IN ROAD or SLOW - DEBRIS ON CARRIAGEWAY only to reach a matrix displaying the word END without having seen any sign of debris or a workforce ?

A couple of the favourites in the Glasgow area seem to be either CHECK YOUR TYRES or CHECK YOUR OIL. I bet it would cause apoplexy in the control rooms if several hundred motorists all took the sign at face value and stopped to complete those checks.

How about DRIVE TO THE ROAD CONDITIONS ? Another favourite north of the border. Perhaps I'd get away with driving at 130mph at 3am in Scotland because the road conditions were ideal ?

[Highlander]

The fellow who puts them on up here winds me up. His favourite when the driving conditions are like this





is "LOW TEMPERATURES FORECAST"

[Scunner]

[Bluwise]

They are so patronising - what makes the people who create these messages think they should tell others how to drive.  This sort of 'advice' makes me so mad - like weather forecasters telling us to 'wrap up warm' or 'take care out there'......

Sod Off - I'm going out in my T shirt and flip flops if I want to!   

[KKOB]

Don't forget that some smug little git is sat in an office being paid a large wedge for putting these messages on the matrices.

It's the Elfin Safety Nanny State again.

[Scunner]

I remember seeing a strange matrix sign for the first (and last) time on the M25 when we were on a visit to the UK. It simply said "switch on your radio".

Any ideas why?

[Bluwise]

Well if you had obeyed the superior ones you would know......
Hang on, that was a hidden message - derrrr 

[Scunner]

I know why! I was asking if anyone else might know or have a guess...

[KKOB]

I remember seeing a strange matrix sign for the first (and last) time on the M25 when we were on a visit to the UK. It simply said "switch on your radio".

Any ideas why?

It's probably a "public service" message from the Highways Agency. A large number of modern cars these days are capable of receiving traffic info through the radio and there had probably been a major incident on the M25.

[Highlander]

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