Do these messages irritate anyone else?

I agree. We, (some of us) as car drivers, are so used to being aware of other car drivers on the roads that it's all too easy to miss a motorbike - sometimes they seem to appear out of nowhere and it's not necessarily because they're speeding, it's just that they haven't the bulk of a car and don't impinge on our consciousness as much. I've been shocked more than once by one overtaking me when I hadn't even realised it was behind me!

If you have a young (or even not young) relative who rides a motorbike, I am sure that he/she could give you plenty of reasons why the 'think bike' signs are a good thing. One of the main causes of injury and death among bikers is the carelessness of motorists.

They get killed.

"insult to one's sensibilities in the grammar department"

Unbelievable!

Dumpling I dislike the 'Think Bike' signs too. Quite apart from the insult to one's sensibilities in the grammar department, there is the implication that bikers are more worthy of one's consideration than other road users, and it is hard to see why this could be justified.

I'm sorry Greatnan. Perhaps I should have said concentration levels rather than toleration levels, if they are distracting.

Oh! That's even worse!

I think the signs are a good idea , why not post them if they stop just one accident then all to the good . One thing I did notice in France when wasn"t in place when I was last there that they all have flourecsent jackets hanging over seats so if there is an accident , they have to be put on . One we should maybe copy

The signs relating to being tired are usually miles away from the next service station, doh!!!!!!!!
I find them distracting and unhelpful - unless there's 'congestion ahead' which sets me into a panic.

The speed reduction ones I find awkward because I'm usually the only one on the road who tries to obey them. It's a pain in the proverbial when you dutifully follow 60 to 50 to 40 whilst the rest of the world hurtles past, especially when there is a road clear sign and there has been nothing untowards grrrrrr

My reply has now been lost twice. Obviously, my message was even irritating the computer!

It's the motor bikes I mean, like on the signs. Speed limits, approaching vehicles blind bends, solid white lines don't apply to them. I can see the lure of a country road with it's tempting bends but I object to the onus being put onto the motorist to watch out for them. I didn't realise how much I'd got used to their bad driving until a few weeks back when a large black machine sat behind me most of the way home, within the speed limit and with a good stopping distance. I was most unnerved and was quite relieved when he finally cruised past me - when it was safe to do so. It was a Harley.

Having seen some spectacularly dangerous driving around cyclists and bikers when I've been riding my 'Miss Marple' bike gently along the cycle path, I will never risk riding on the road.

Nfk That's a bit harsh. It's more like a minority of bikers who don't can't or won't think. Btw I have no axe to grind as I don't drive a car and can't ride a bike.

The one I really hate is 'Think Bike' when everyone knows the majority if bikers don't, can't or won't think.

When we were in New Mexico we kept on seeing signs which said "Winds May Blow"! It always amused me - well, yes, winds do blow.

I was amused pre Olympics when up here in the North East I saw occasional signs on the motorways saying to plan journeys because of possible delays - the nearest venue was St. James's Park in Newcastle and they are used to having 52,000 people to football matches every other Saturday in the football season.

Yes, I like those speed warning signs too. I can't afford to lose my licence and it is good to have a reminder when you are entering a small village along a fast, main road.

I hate the distance chevrons. I find them hypnotic and end up focussing on them rather that what's happening around me.

The only sign I like is the one that flashes up your speed usually when you're driving through a village. If you're within the speed limit you get a green number and a smiley face and if you're not you get a red number and a sad face. I think it's useful because often you're coming from 60 to 30 in a short space of time as you enter the village and it's a useful reminder.

It is nothing to do with tolerance levels - absent explained exactly why they are dangerous - they are distracting.

The messages are good. No harm in reminding drivers about things which often cause accidents.

Can't see any reason to complain about them at all. Is your tolerance level really that low?!

In our small town, they have, at great expense, created a new scheme called 'shared space', in the main shopping area. This means that drivers have to choose to give way at a minor junction and the only pelican crossing has disappeared in favour of lots of places where pedestrians have priority. Difficult to explain, but it has worked. At the crossroads there are two mini roundabouts that the locals seem to cope with easily though outsiders are a bit puzzled. The place is designed for the 'café culture' - just a pity the weather isn't.

The biggest frustration is crawling along in a jam to get to a sign that says SLOW However I think some are useful but some are in place so those who may be injured in an accident, caused by themselves or others, have less cause to blame the highways authority because warnings etc have been given. Cynical..moi?

Agreed, Mishap. Have you noticed that whenever you leave the suggested distance someone always nips in between you and the car in front? The biggest danger in France is tail-gating - I stick rigidly to the speed limit as I cannot afford to lose my licence and I get 20-wheelers practically driving up my bumper. Of course I move over to let them pass whenever it is safe to do so. It is also quite irritating when one HGV is trying to overtake another up a hill, doing about 2 mph faster and causing a huge tail-back of frustrated drivers. I know why it happens - deadlines to meet, limited working hours (ha!) and the need to keep up momentum, but it is still annoying.

I suspect that a plethora of signs and warnings are a distraction to drivers and could, therefore, be quite dangerous.

The one message that I think is helpful is when, on the motorway, there are chevrons on the road and an exhortation to keep two chevrons distance from the car in front. I do think it serves to remind us that we are tempted to drive too close to the car in front.

There are often just too many messages to comprehend, especially in London. In Wales, they double them up and non-Welsh speakers get diverted trying to work out the pronunciation of the Welsh version. I think the one about tiredness can be useful, though, because I am tempted to drive too long a distance; and the one about keeping your distance. I know its bl**ding obvious, Greatnan, but some of us often forget the bleeding obvious. Maybe it's a man-thing.

Well, the Ministry of the Bleeding Obvious has to find something to do!