Making progress with the bend

Having had two visits in quick succession from Aberdeenshire Council’s Transportation Department about the bend following the most recent crash, I thought I was getting somewhere in having our bad bend better signposted but I didn’t expect work to progress this quickly. A SLOW warning was painted on the road this week, while the posts for two new signs have just gone in.

Even better, the bend itself is now clearly marked with reflector posts and the difference in driving habits has been marked. Previously, most drivers failed to notice the warning sign and then had to brake hard when they discovered the road not only veered left, but also has major dip and a dramatic change in camber. The new posts, on the other hand, are right in a driver’s line of sight, especially in the dark with headlights on. As a result, at least two-thirds of vehicles are braking much earlier than before. That’s a definite result.

Funnily enough, the new signs and posts aren’t that far removed from my own suggestions! Anyway, before anyone starts jumping in with comments about driver behaviour, we were after the signs for three reasons: to warn drivers unfamiliar with the road, remind drivers familiar with the road, and remove the “I didn’t know it was a bad bend” excuse for the prats and wide boys. If someone crashes through excess speed or lack of attention now, I’ll be pushing the police to throw the book at them.

And finally, a big thanks to the council’s Transportation Department for getting the work done.