1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188 
Down to interpretation
Page 66
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
An Ignore your sat-nay' warning sign could cause some confusion...
Some interesting iiiterpretations of the meaning of a new sign on the A48 in the Vale of Glamorgan.
In the 30 August issue of CM we ran a news story about the Freight Transport Association (FTA) wanting truck-specific satellite navigation devices and a Welsh town erecting a sign telling trucks not to use their sat-nay for directions around there.
While the ETA has a very valid point, the sign that was erected to deter sat-nav-eguipped trucks could be misinterpreted in many different ways (although our loyal readers will know what it means).
• If you're driving a truck, you may not turn left ahead but if you're driving a satellite, it's OK.
• If your truck is fitted with a tracking device, satellites can't pick it up after you have turned left.
• Only trucks not fitted with sat-nay devices are allowed down this road.
The problem is that there will be many different interpretations. Some people will suggest that it should be put into writing but what if a driver comes along who can't read the sign?
Surely going back to basics is the answer. Any foreign driver coming into the country should be given a small leaflet with a reminder to read restriction signs. No one can come up with excuses then with a picture of a truck and a number on them, they are pretty obvious.
Where there is a necessary diversion, it should be up to the person creating it to ensure the same type of vehicle that could have driven along the original stretch at road can also follow the diversion signs. It's not rocket science or should that be satellite science?
JOIN US ONLINE] • For updates on the news stories in Commercial Motor, plus fresh stories about the industry, operators, new products and transport law, visit Roadtransportcom The site also has a 'Know the Law' section, jobs, blogs, roadtest verdicts, trucks and vans for sale and much more. Check it out at wvvvv.roadtransport.com