Are drivers stupid? Are the roads lobotomising them?

[bednobs]

I just wondered if they were because havng just driven nto town a few things have really annoyed me
1) traffic lights on roundabouts - ok i understand why they might be there (ie to even out and notorious traffic hold ups) but frankly it makes me worry - are people forgetting how to use round abouts? the one near me's lights are out and it seems that no one can remember how to use a roundabout without the aid of lights - people already on the roundabout stopping to let people out for example. IF YOU ARE ON THE ROUNDABOUT ALREADY YoU HAVE PRIORITY YOU MUPPETS.
2) now i notice some idiot has "thoughtfully" adjusted another roundabout near me so you cant possibly be in any other lane by putting pavements in the middle of the road. AS IF I CAN'T SELECT MY OWN LANE, THANKS. Just give me one lane in case im so monumentally cretinous that i cant decide between two

I really worry that surely these traffic adjustments are effectively lobotomising drivers so that if god forbid they ever had to make a decision for themselves they wouldnt be able to. Why do councils do this??

[Playbill]

Not just at roundabouts.
I see increasing madness in traffic light queues. Cars 3, 4, 5 or more back creep slowly forward leaving virtually no space to the car in front, rocking on the clutch while the lights are still red.
The driver's eyes fixed intently on the traffic lights so the second it goes to green they move - regardless of whether the car in front has.
Seen several minor bumps occuring like this and many more stalled engines because of panic breaking.

[TWR]

Hi bednobs, the plonkers that come out with these stupid ideas have either no driving licence or no Idea what & how the traffic system works only on their little toys PCs of which they are getting thousands of taxes payers money for coming up with stupid crank & unworkable Ideas, Eg/ many years ago on the A12 there was a roundabout, traffic flow Great no Probs, then some smart ars decided OH we will put some lights here & make the place pretty, Yes it was pretty to the extent it caused problems,hold ups, after costing Thousands some really clever smart ARS decided OH I think it was better with a roundabout, Do you get my point?

[bednobs]

my point is they are being made into morons by the morons at the council

[johnny37]

My pet beef at the moment is the number of mini roundabouts being installed in my area. There appears to be no need for it. What used to be 'safer' junctions are now being turned into mini race tracks. Drivers drive at speed up to the roundabout and only give way if they are forced to. Quiet dangerous if you ask me. And u-turns on mini roundabouts which appears to be perfectly legal.

[danchip]

how long do you think it'll be until certain ABers are on here blaming the Labour Government for the deterioration of driving standards in the country since 1997.

The above points may seem moronic to most drivers who can drive but for every person who can negotiate a roundabout correctly there's probably 2 that cant,

the lights are put up as a result of people who hesitate at busy roundabouts and wait till there's no traffic to pull out onto the roundabout, which causes massive tailbacks and drives some motorists to take reckless chances.

As for the lane dividers this is not only for the stupid ones out there taking up 2 lanes but also predominantly to stop vehicles being sideswiped by HGV's

I also hate mini roundabouts, i've lost count how many times i've come to one and theres been a car at every arm not knowing who has right of way, how do these people pass their tests!

[Gormless]

The sheer frustration and stress of London traffic converted me to cycling. No frustration at all, although you need a good set of "wets" on days like today!

I only drive when it is absolutely necessary. Even for a meeting in Central London I cycled (from Croydon). A bit hairy in places, but no stress, utter freedom, and a beautiful relaxing ride along the Embankment in the afternoon.

You can get a lot of shopping in a rucksack.

Driving in London, particularly during rush hours, is insanity. One day last week - 8 people using handheld mobiles while driving (one on a roundabout).

[derekpara]

I blame the parents.