Tuesday 22 July 2008

Driving in Glasgow

I was up in Glasgow last week and was quite taken with the usage of the electronic road signs in the area. The displayed messages ranged from the pedestrian:
"DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE"
"KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE"
"TIREDNESS CAN KILL"

to the obvious:
"CHECK YOUR FUEL"
"PLEASE USE SEATBELTS"

through to the downright esoteric:
"IN TOWN SLOW DOWN"
"BE A COURTEOUS DRIVER"


I haven't seen such far reaching use of electronic roadside signs before, so I've devised 3 theories as to why it may be different to other locations:
  1. Some 'clever' chappy noticed that sign utilisation was low and implemented a plan to increase usage.
  2. People in Glasgow don't drive too well and require reminders about driving basics.
  3. Like me, visitors to Glasgow will be driving rented Kia Cee'd's from Hertz with the indicators on the wrong side of the wheel and will be so confused by the wipers coming on every time they try and change lane that they need all the help they can get.

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