franc111s

OK, I am about to write a letter of compaint to my local Director of the Georgia DOT... Here is my beef and I wanted to see if any of you guys and girls in other states have similar or no issues.

Cats Eyes (I think locally called something else), apparently invented by a Yorkshire lad.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3320939

Anyway, in Atlanta (and the rest of Georgia), they must have got their cats eyes from blind cats. They are crxp and I don't know why. They don't reflect headlights but seem to absorb light like a black hole. They don't use them here very much on major highways and rarely (as they do in the UK) on freeway exits, entrances or other major junctions. When they do use them, they seem to be useless. When I go to the UK and even Florida, they are so so bright. Anyone technical know why this might be?

White Lines... the Georgia DOT seem to use dull paint on most roads. the white lines are useless in the dark. Maybe I notice it only because the cats eyes are so bad but I don't think it's just that. The white lines are rarely painted, even on major highways, maybe they repaint them more in the UK.!!

Combine poor white lines and blinds cats eyes and driving on GA freeways is hell. I drove down town this weekend with my son and I finally decided that enough is enough and something needs doing. We have so many accidents in this area and I know they are bad drivers here but this cannot help..

Anyone have any comments?

BigDavyG

Picture a tropical waterfall, take a deep breath, hold for 5 seconds and exhale.
Repeat until calm.

franc111s

I feel much better thanks. I am going to write to the DOT and tell them what a wonderful bunch of people they are

Warrington Wolf

Yep, it's just the same in Delaware. When we first arrived here it was dark and raining and it was IMPOSSIBLE to judge where the road was leading due to the lack of cats eyes and yellow centre lines which become strangely colourless in these conditions. Nightmare!

It appears, however, that the natives have no problems in these conditions as they still drive at the mandatory 60 in a 35 mph zone and two feet or less between their car and the one in front. :scared:

Big D

the lack of cats eyes and bad markings are the only way to guarantee ditching your vee-hic-al off on the verge for all to see

Warrington Wolf

Is that why 4x4 SUVs and trucks are so popular (for off roading)?

NC Penguin

Same here in NC. Driving at night is incredibly challenging, especially if you're driving on unfamililar roads because:

- there's no street lights for starters
- there inefficient (new) or knackered cats eyes in the road
- the yellow lines indicating different sides of the roads are worn out so there's know knowing if you're on the correct side of the road (particularly if it's bendy or you think you're in a turning lane).



NC Penguin

tony126

Eyesight test required by the sound of it.

TruBrit

lol that makes me larfffff so much when they tawk like that... why can't they just say vehicle....lol

gruffbrown

They do, they jurst tawk diffa rent.

broma25

Same thing here in Pensylvannia, great driving in good weather conditions. But even a small shower on a 3 lane highway im lost!! No road markings, people weaving all over the show, it takes all concentration just to stay in lane.

No wonder they say dont worry whats behind you, in my opinion you dont have time to care (let alone take a quick peek in your rear view mirror), for fear of what may happen up front in that split second you just happen to look behind you.

I dont know whether the road surface is different here than in the UK, but I dont ever remember such horrendous driving conditions (expect for the snow covering the road markings).

It was funny to read this posting, as this is something my husband and I discuss every time we are out driving in the rain.

Rushman

For the most part the reason there's no cat's eyes in the NE is because the snow ploughs would rip them up.

However, have to agree that the paint they use is crap. Up here it's yellow and totally impossible to see with even a light dusting of snow.

Funny how super powers are, the only roads worse than the one's around here that I've driven on were in Russia.

frrussre

Your lucky to have any cats eyes or lines, here in NY its tough to find either. Frankly, the USA has a lot of lousy roads & highways.
Reg. Frank R.

CaliforniaBride

That's considered enough space to drive an SUV into here.

Giantaxe

Some areas where there is snow bury the cat's eyes slightly below the plane of the road so they don't get destroyed by ploughs.

But generally, I agree. Around me (SF area) the condition of freeways can only be described as appalling. There are cat's eyes, but loads of them are missing. Plus the concrete road surfaces are completly cracked and uneven. I guess those UK gas taxes really do make a difference. As with many things in the US, this is a shortsighted policy, imo. Not only is it a safety issue (try driving I5 in Oregon in the rain - no hope of seeing lane markings at all) but I wonder how much it costs in additional car repairs given the poor condition of the roads?