ROADS GET NAKED - 1st Feb 2005 2:15pm
Planners say markings make drivers less responsible
Roads are going naked in the cause of road safety. The latest wheeze by urban planners is to strip off the road markings and other paraphernalia that clutter the streets in a bid to persuade motorists to be more considerate towards pedestrians. It's an approach that has reportedly been successful in Holland, Germany and Sweden, and it's about to tried in London.
Following a trial in the Wiltshire village of Seend, the idea is that drivers are not funnelled into watching signs and markings but instead are forced use their common sense, such as making eye contact with pedestrians and being more aware of their surroundings generally.
It's the brainchild of urban planner Ben Hamilton-Baillie, who told the BBC that the removal of a psychological safety net encourages drivers to exercise caution and restraint.
It sounds very much like asking drivers to take responsibility for their actions, as urged by Safe Speed founder Paul Smith. And it's got to be better than speed humps and other alternatives.
Roads are going naked in the cause of road safety. The latest wheeze by urban planners is to strip off the road markings and other paraphernalia that clutter the streets in a bid to persuade motorists to be more considerate towards pedestrians. It's an approach that has reportedly been successful in Holland, Germany and Sweden, and it's about to tried in London.
Following a trial in the Wiltshire village of Seend, the idea is that drivers are not funnelled into watching signs and markings but instead are forced use their common sense, such as making eye contact with pedestrians and being more aware of their surroundings generally.
It's the brainchild of urban planner Ben Hamilton-Baillie, who told the BBC that the removal of a psychological safety net encourages drivers to exercise caution and restraint.
It sounds very much like asking drivers to take responsibility for their actions, as urged by Safe Speed founder Paul Smith. And it's got to be better than speed humps and other alternatives.