*** VIDEO *** Would the roads be safer with no rules? This kind of negotiation between road users is behind the idea that removing road markings and road signs would lead to a similar situation here in Europe, and the flagship scheme for this concept is in the Netherlands. Drachtens shared space concept was pioneered by Hans Monderman. Almost all traffic lights and signs have been removed in the towns centre in an effort to improve traffic safety, based on the theory that drivers pay more attention to their surroundings when they cannot rely on strict traffic rules. The claims that it works are based on the fact that prior to the removal of the traffic controls, the town had an average of eight serious accidents per year, whilst in the first two years after the system was introduced, that figure was reduced to just one. What the experiment doesnt tell you is that Drachten is well-served by bypasses meaning that only vehicles having business in the town have to pass through it, and that minor bumps involving damage to vehicles went up after traffic controls were removed! Not everyone is convinced these schemes work outside of very local, very unique circumstances. Our own, subjective, observation is that they work IF you understand how they work, if you see what I mean. If you grow up with it, no problem. If you have time to get used to it, no problem. But if you suddenly encounter shared space when youre not expecting it or dont understand how it works, then its likely to cause problems. Just like the notorious priority to the right system functions perfectly well in much of Europe when used by drivers who are used to the system but is a total mystery and the scene of many accidents for UK drivers visiting the Continent, its arguable that shared space will confuse those from outside the immediate area.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:04:25 +0000
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