postbag

On the subject of turning right. I agree with most of what you say although I suggest that it has always been a problem but as we grow older it annoys us more so we think it is a recent development.

On a purely technical point your reference to 'chevrons' is incorrect as the proper description is 'hatching' when the markings are applied to 2-way roads. Chevrons are only marked on multiple lane one direction roads to divide traffic such as entry and exit slip roads of Motorways. You may ask how I know this? After 40 years in the Road Marking Industry and seats on various trade and government bodies over that time I have helped write the current standards and layout designs for road markings.

Keep up the good work!

Stephen Scott FCIHT, FICS,
Managing Director, Wilson & Scott (Highways) Ltd.

There is a lot I don't understand about cyclists - especially at this time of year.

Why don’t parents ensure their children have lights fitted to their bicycles and the lights are in working order. Don’t they care about their offspring?

Adults also do not appear to need lights during the hours of darkness - even those who appear to have a deeper interest in cycling rather than just a means of transport - ie. they have all the lycra, shoes and helmets etc.

Children (and some adults) are positively dangerous in sharing the roads - there is no training required as a condition of road use, and behaviour can alarm motorists who are trying to anticipate their movements.

Cyclists also appear to have a right to ride through traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings, ride the wrong way down one way streets, ride through traffic lights when the lights are against them, but no cars are present, ride on pavements not marked out for use by cyclists.

I think some form of test for roadcraft competence should be compulsory, and insurance, as applied to all other road users.

Richard Jones