It seems to me that, in this day and age, it is downright stupid to use 'm' for miles on road signs ANYWHERE! And, especially so in the U.K. with its ever closer ties with the continent. Duncan
-----Original Message----- From: cellular qwerty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: March 12, 2002 10:42 Subject: [USMA:18697] UK road signs >--- kilopascal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>On another note, what is being done to amend >>the laws to allow metric road signs and even >>to begin a final conversion from miles to >>kilometres? > >Revision of national regulations is at draft stage: > >Dual imperial/metric signs are being introduced for >height and weight signs. They are only optional and >imperial only signs will still be permitted. The >stated reason for dual signs is because goods vehicle >drivers from mainland Europe need metric information >to be able to avoid bridges etc. The logical argument >does not appear to be extended beyond that point to >speed and distances. > >There are no plans to extend metrication beyond height >and weight signs. > >"John Lepine drew attention to the use of metric and >imperial units on height and weight signs. Lord Whitty >said that the switch to metric-only measurements for >such signs was gradual and any acceleration would >increase costs. There were no plans to change speed or >distance signs to metric units." >20 March 2001 >http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/strategy/rsap/16.htm > >The legal text of road sign regulations are almost >fully metricated apart from references to information >visible on the face of the sign. > >See: >http://www.street-works.dtlr.gov.uk/sasworks/18.htm > >There are legacy conversions which make non-round >metric numbers but some of these are being modified: >"The national 30 mph limit for built up areas applies >where a system of street lighting exists (not more >than 183 metres apart, or 185 metres in Scotland)." >http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/ruralroad/09.htm > >The abbreviation 'm' will still be used for miles. >Units will still have plurals e.g. 'yards', 'yds', >miles. > >The draft regulations including signs are at: >http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/consult/traffic/ > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! >http://mail.yahoo.com/ >
