Interesting Links for 14-07-2024

[andrewducker]

1. I don't need to write something about how I think that Labour blocking puberty blockers is a bigoted policy that's going to kill children, do I?

Because I keep thinking I should, but not being able to quite face it.
(tags:transgender children bigotry puberty OhForFucksSake )

2. Minnesota has been installing roundabouts, and they've improved road safety dramatically

(tags:safety roads design usa )

Comments

[gingicat]

My younger child would probably proofread for you.

[andrewducker]

Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it.

[wenchpixie]

It's just horrific. I've written to my MP asking her to raise my concerns about it (with a relatively reasonable "please ensure that decisions are being made on the basis of reasonable, peer reviewed, balanced scientific studies, and a number of them, rather than biased reports and bigoted shouting in the media" bent), but I'm not at all convinced that she'll even respond tbh.

[andrewducker]

I should write to mine.

Edit: done

[armiphlage]

Non-medically-trained politicians interfering with what what medication a doctor can prescribe (when the medication has already passed safety reviews by medical professionals, and is prescribed in accordance with best practice as determined by medical professionals) seems odd. I'm surprised medical associations aren't up in arms about it.

[matgb]

Unfortunately our entire media climate has become so trans hostile there's weird stuff happening, and the "Cass Review" gave a veneer of legitimacy to those too busy to notice it was debunked pretty much immediately it was released :-(

[movingfinger]

2. Roundabouts are being installed where I live and they are terrifying. Drivers barrel straight through them, speeding, tailgating, no one yields, no one signals, lots of tailgating entries resulting in cutting-off of entering traffic from other directions. The one replacing a four-way stop nearby is so terrifying I've been avoiding that corner. I learned to drive in Massachusetts, famous for its rotaries, but the difference there to here must be that drivers are taught at least once how to manage them.

I agree with the theory, but drivers aren't automatically going to do the right thing or read about the new roundabout, they're going to see the lack of a red octagon as a full-speed-ahead permit.

[channelpenguin]

wow. I never thought about that aspect. I grew up and learned to drive int eh UK, and there are specific rules for roundabouts that are taught and tested for on the driving test, plus most places in the UK have at least SOME roundbouts. I grew up in East Kilbride, nickname "Polo Mint City" because of the vast numbers of roundabouts, so I have them burned into my blood! (a Polo Mint is a round sweet[candy] with a hole).

Maybe there need to be signs on the lead up to new roundabouts telling drivers exactly how to behave?

I wonder if that data on increased safety from roundabouts vs junctions was done somewhere where the drivers were at least a little familiar with the rules, or where the traffic is lighter.

In the very very congested South of England, where I worked for decades, roundabouts can entirely "lock up" form weight of traffic ... but then so can many tens of miles of any road in the vicinity of, or route into or out of London!

I find German traffic junctions confusing, as often (not always) vehicles may right turn on a red light (it is shown on the light if this is so), and as a pedestrian, there seems NEVER any "100% safe right of way", even on a "green man". Despite wich, older Germans still tut at us foreigners who will cross on a "red man" when the road is clear (most natives generally don't!). Illogical, because if it isn't safe even on the green man, and you must check for traffic before crossing, then what is the difference with a red man and a clear road? Also, I find it hard as a driver, that it is never 100% right to turn right on a green light - one must always give way to pedestrians!! This bites badly on a bicycle. (Don't get me started about Berlin bike lanes ...)

[symbioid]

I saw an article yesterday stating Wisconsin (my state; right next to Minnesota) has the most roundabouts per capita. I remember the first time I saw one was in like 2010, so that escalated quickly.

Well I saw one in Chicago, but it was on like a side-street filled with homes, not a larger street where tons of traffic was, I think it acted more like a "speed-bump" to force people to slow down in that case.