Motorway signs

[maxi2]

There are various junctions on the motorway network which display signing on the exit slip eg. "use both lanes for Oxford" or wherever.

Use both lanes? Surely that means straddling the white line between them! The signs should read "Use either lane". Please discuss !!

[Loosehead]

yes you could be construed as correct in your pedantry

[THECORBYLOON]

Some folk use the word "either" to mean "each of two" as in "there were men on either side of him." In "Use either lane," some would read that to mean "Use both lanes." Perhaps it should read, "Use one of the two lanes for Oxford."

[Buenchico]

The interpretation of these signs would seem to depend upon whether you regard them as addressing a single driver or (collectively) all drivers.

Telling a single driver to 'use both lanes' does seem to imply that he/she must straddle the white line (or zig-zag between the lanes). However, telling a group of drivers to 'use both lanes' doesn't necessarily require any strange vehicle movements.

The Corbyloon's suggestion of 'use one of the two lanes' is sensible if addressed to just one driver. However, if it's addressed to all drivers, it would seem to require them to use their telepathic powers to decide which one of the two lanes they're all going to use for Oxford ;-)

Chris

[THECORBYLOON]

Is the white line between the lanes? Surely each half of the white line is the extremity of the lane so there is nothing between the lanes?

[THECORBYLOON]

How about "Each driver is free to select one of the two lanes leading to Oxford and his or her choice may be the same as, or different from, that chosen by every other driver travelling by that route"?"

[Panic Button]

No Corby, that is discriminatory against those drivers on that road who do not wish to go to Oxford. It should not be allowed as it may make them feel inferior to those who are going there.

[THECORBYLOON]

Fair point so, how about "Each driver is free to select one of the two lanes leading to Oxford and/or any other location (populated or otherwise) in the Oxford area or beyond which may be your preferred final destination and his or her choice may be the same as, or different from, that chosen by every other driver travelling by that route, unless you are taking the exit because you have finally admitted you are lost and may wander from lane to lane without warning as you struggle to read a map at the same time?"

[DebsyDoo]

Not exactly an answer to your question (but not totally disconnected from the subject - ie: motorway signs)
I have to say that the ones that amuse & baffle me are the matrix ones on the central reservation, which - when you can't see the the end of your bonnet, say "FOG" (!!!)

[tell-me-more]

Signs are brilliant. Their sheer uselessness often makes them worthwhile just for comedy value.

In particular, I'll never forget the sign in Dublin saying only "This is a temporary sign."

Then there are the ones that completely confuse the hell out of you. I'd love to hear of more of those.

We used to have doors at work saying "Fire Door - Do Not Open" which just seems cruel to me in the event of a fire.

[Panic Button]

I once stopped to photograph a sign as I found it so funny.

It was a 'Police Accident' temporary sign, but someone had driven over it so it was all bent and mangled.