South Australian kilometre signs- why are they different?
Submitted: Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:06
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Member - David T (SA)
Hi All
Just returned from a trip and the SA roadside kilometre signs have me intrigued. In other states they read each 5 or 10 in multiples like 40,50. In SA they read in 10 km intervals but in figures like 47 or 23. Is there a reason for this (no SA jokes please, I love good old SA) or did some bureaucrat play a joke on us just before he retired and as we speak is now driving around smiling at his little stunt.
Cheers
Dave
Reply By: Member -Signman - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:12
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:12
I wonder if they have just pulled off the 'mileage' signs- converted to metric- and reinstalled the kilometre
sign onto the same pole ??
eg. 14
miles = 23kms
Just a thoughty..
AnswerID:
316330
Reply By: Member - David T (SA) - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:16
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:16
I thought of that but coming down from
Coober Pedy the signs to (say) Glandambo read 47, 37, 27 etc. They might have started with an old mile
sign at 47 but then have put them every 10 kms after that.
Dave
AnswerID:
316333
Reply By: spliney - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:26
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:26
I think it might be that they use both sides of the
sign and the other side, for northbound traffic, might be the one that ends in zero - say "M20" (eg for
Marla).
That's my theory!
Spliney
AnswerID:
316336
Follow Up By: Brew69(SA) - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:45
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:45
Thats exactly why it is so.
FollowupID:
582748
Reply By: Pomgonewalkabout - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:27
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:27
Maybe 'Country Health SA" are also responsible for road signs as
well, hence the reason why it doesn't make sense.
AnswerID:
316338
Reply By: JohnF56 - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:30
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:30
Sth Australians may be suspicious about numbers - so they stick to 'prime' numbers only.
AnswerID:
316339
Reply By: Dasher Des - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:34
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:34
The signs are placed exactly at 5km increments going one direction, however, going the opposite way as they are only placed on one side of the road, the exact distance is recorded wether it be say 2ks then 7ks, 12ks etc etc.
AnswerID:
316341
Follow Up By: Member - David T (SA) - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 16:16
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 16:16
That makes sense Dasher ( and also Spliney). I wondered if they were just trying to keep people awake by using silly numbers but your idea is better.
Dave
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 at 22:02
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 at 22:02
Smart people these South Australians. They only put up half the number of signs that the rest of the country do. The signs may cost little more but they only spend a little over half the money.
PeterD
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