Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

To avoid lawsuits do not place any rocks or structure that will stop them.
You can how ever make a boggy area that will stop them the same way some of
the 1/4 mile race tracks use at the end of the track in case someone
overshoots. The best part is they will need a tow truck to get out and you
will be able to go after them for any damages.Sweet revenge without guns,
just mud !




"Don" wrote in message
m...
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

In rec.crafts.metalworking Walt Springs wrote:
To avoid lawsuits do not place any rocks or structure that will stop them.
You can how ever make a boggy area that will stop them the same way some of
the 1/4 mile race tracks use at the end of the track in case someone
overshoots. The best part is they will need a tow truck to get out and you
will be able to go after them for any damages.Sweet revenge without guns,
just mud !

Do they have any right to tow off your land without your permission?
Can you dismantle the car, and sell it for parts?

That would be illeagle dismantling:

In other words: "Theft"

But, he could be nasty and make them get a court order to remove the car
from his property!

LOL

Good suggestion, I like your sense of humor!
Refinish King


"Ian Stirling" wrote in message
...
In rec.crafts.metalworking Walt Springs wrote:
To avoid lawsuits do not place any rocks or structure that will stop
them.
You can how ever make a boggy area that will stop them the same way some
of
the 1/4 mile race tracks use at the end of the track in case someone
overshoots. The best part is they will need a tow truck to get out and
you
will be able to go after them for any damages.Sweet revenge without
guns,
just mud !

Do they have any right to tow off your land without your permission?
Can you dismantle the car, and sell it for parts?

If someone crosses his property line:

Due to wrecklessness or negligence. ie Driving too fast for road conditions.
They can't sue him for their damages if he put up a stone hedge.

Did you take law lessons from Saddam Huesseim or Mommar Quadaffi?

Refinish King

"Walt Springs" wrote in message
news:E311c.648059$JQ1.129953@pd7tw1no...
To avoid lawsuits do not place any rocks or structure that will stop
them.
You can how ever make a boggy area that will stop them the same way some
of
the 1/4 mile race tracks use at the end of the track in case someone
overshoots. The best part is they will need a tow truck to get out and you
will be able to go after them for any damages.Sweet revenge without guns,
just mud !




"Don" wrote in message
m...
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

I think you have the right idea. Deepen the ditch and then they can
ROLL across it into your front porch -- if going fast enough. However,
it will probably stop those who aren't speeding toooo fast. Be careful
of tampering with anything within the right of way.

You could add a guard rail. Make it LOOK strong enough to demolish the
entire car if they hit it. This way they can see it when the road is
dry and IMAGINE what will happen if they slide into it. HOWEVER, I'd
make it "breakable" so they don't get killed when they hit. . . . Kind
of like the highway barriers. Colors: Black & Yellow - alternating!

Talk with the city, county or state that maintains that part of the road
and ask if you can BORROW some highway barriers to put up.

Plant trees or thorny bushes along that area.

BE SURE TO KEEP ANYTHING WELL ON YOUR SIDE OF THE RIGHT OF WAY!

* * * * Above all, document costs, get license numbers (tag & drivers)
and force several of them to pay -- plenty. * * * * The court
publicity will help deter others -- maybe! HIRE the work done and DON'T
TAKE THE LOW BIDDER. :-)

Talk to the folks at some cemetery and see if they'll give you some of
the flowers they take up off the graves periodically. Take these
flowers and put them in a place or two near this curve to make it appear
someone has already gotten killed there! ;-) I'm sure you've seen this
done along the highway were someone has gotten killed.

Just a few ideas of my own. You may want to check with an attorney
before doing any of the above. In this screwed up system a burglar can
walk onto your property at night, intending to steal all you have, step
into a hole the dog dug in the yard and then sue you and/or your home
owner's insurance company for damages to his broken leg, etc. -- AND
COLLECT!

==================

Don wrote:
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

"Al Patrick" (clip) Talk with the city, county or state that maintains that
part of the road
and ask if you can BORROW some highway barriers to put up.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, definitely, talk to the highway people. It is really THEIR problem to
solve, not yours. They have more and better facilities to deal with this,
and it someone wrecks a car against their barricade, you will in no way be
liable.

Another suggestion (this one amuses me), would be to put in a row of hay
bales. Actually, hay bales with ivy growing over them might be sort of
attractive.

|^^^^^^^^^^^^
|Yes, definitely, talk to the highway people. It is really THEIR problem to
|solve, not yours. They have more and better facilities to deal with this,
|and it someone wrecks a car against their barricade, you will in no way be
|liable.

Just be aware that their idea of a solution may not meet your aesthetic
criteria. You might be looking out your front door at some ugly barricade for
the next several decades.

Rex in Fort Worth

In article
,
"Leo Lichtman" wrote:

bales. Actually, hay bales with ivy growing over them might be sort of
attractive.

Try planting blackberries instead. Pretty flowers in the spring, tasty
berries and thorns to shread flesh.

--
free men own guns - slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

If a thief breaks a leg on my property:

As the general said: "Take no prisoners, and leave none!"

The poor thief would have broken his neck too. Mr Police man, how did he get
hurt so bad?

One less criminal to worry about, house and feed with our tax dollars too!

Refinish King

"Al Patrick" wrote in message
...
I think you have the right idea. Deepen the ditch and then they can
ROLL across it into your front porch -- if going fast enough. However,
it will probably stop those who aren't speeding toooo fast. Be careful
of tampering with anything within the right of way.

You could add a guard rail. Make it LOOK strong enough to demolish the
entire car if they hit it. This way they can see it when the road is
dry and IMAGINE what will happen if they slide into it. HOWEVER, I'd
make it "breakable" so they don't get killed when they hit. . . . Kind
of like the highway barriers. Colors: Black & Yellow - alternating!

Talk with the city, county or state that maintains that part of the road
and ask if you can BORROW some highway barriers to put up.

Plant trees or thorny bushes along that area.

BE SURE TO KEEP ANYTHING WELL ON YOUR SIDE OF THE RIGHT OF WAY!

* * * * Above all, document costs, get license numbers (tag & drivers)
and force several of them to pay -- plenty. * * * * The court
publicity will help deter others -- maybe! HIRE the work done and DON'T
TAKE THE LOW BIDDER. :-)

Talk to the folks at some cemetery and see if they'll give you some of
the flowers they take up off the graves periodically. Take these
flowers and put them in a place or two near this curve to make it appear
someone has already gotten killed there! ;-) I'm sure you've seen this
done along the highway were someone has gotten killed.

Just a few ideas of my own. You may want to check with an attorney
before doing any of the above. In this screwed up system a burglar can
walk onto your property at night, intending to steal all you have, step
into a hole the dog dug in the yard and then sue you and/or your home
owner's insurance company for damages to his broken leg, etc. -- AND
COLLECT!

==================

Don wrote:
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

Don wrote in article
.. .
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!


In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply came to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his opinion in
writing, if you can.

\

In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply came to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his opinion in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here. For
years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a nearby
hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making contact with
a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement core
columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each column
is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a dozen cars
have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In each case, the
driver was cited for careless driving and required to pay for repairs to
the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner and
were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a column
fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on someone,
liability was just not an issue.

Tim


--
No BoomBoom for me! -

"The Guy" wrote in message
...

\

In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars
failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending
up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply came
to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his opinion
in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here. For
years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a nearby
hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making contact with
a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement core
columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each column
is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a dozen cars
have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In each case, the
driver was cited for careless driving and required to pay for repairs to
the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner and
were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a column
fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on someone,
liability was just not an issue.

Tim


--
No BoomBoom for me! -


Beware! That sort of attitude varys widely (if not wildly) by state -- in
California if you spill hot coffie on your crotch then Starbucks is
responsible, even if you brewed it at home. In Kansas they laugh you out of
the courthouse.

What about hospitals and many commercial properties:

Heaven forbid you make the mistake of trying to back up into a parking lane
to get a spot, POP, Pop, and if you're stupid enough! Pop, Pop. Now you need
four new tires!

Is that hospital or commercial property owner liable?

Please answer that for me?

Thank you,

Refinish King

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...

"The Guy" wrote in message
...

\

In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars
failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending
up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not
have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply
came
to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do
without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his
opinion
in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here. For
years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a nearby
hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making contact with
a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement core
columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each column
is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a dozen cars
have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In each case, the
driver was cited for careless driving and required to pay for repairs to
the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner and
were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a column
fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on someone,
liability was just not an issue.

Tim


--
No BoomBoom for me! -


Beware! That sort of attitude varys widely (if not wildly) by state -- in
California if you spill hot coffie on your crotch then Starbucks is
responsible, even if you brewed it at home. In Kansas they laugh you out
of
the courthouse.

Refinish King wrote:

What about hospitals and many commercial properties:

Heaven forbid you make the mistake of trying to back up into a parking lane
to get a spot, POP, Pop, and if you're stupid enough! Pop, Pop. Now you need
four new tires!

Is that hospital or commercial property owner liable?

Please answer that for me?

Thank you,
Refinish King


Pop Pop from what? Spikes to keep you from entering or backing up an exit
ramp? I've never seen spikes like that in a *parking space*.

Bob

The Guy wrote:

\


In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply
came to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his
opinion in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here. For
years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a nearby
hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making contact with
a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement core
columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each column
is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a dozen cars
have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In each case, the
driver was cited for careless driving and required to pay for repairs to
the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner and
were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a column
fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on someone,
liability was just not an issue.

Tim


I was thinking about a section of fence inside the property line
(right-of-way/easement/whatever.) Sections of telephone pole sunk deep in
the ground at each end, a single 5/8" or 3/4" wire rope back and forth
about 3 times between the poles so it looks like 3 strands of barbwire.
Don't stretch the cable too tight, so when someone hits it it will have
some "give" to it. Plant some sturdy bushes just inside it, and see if
the county will put a barrier sign in front (alternating yellow and black
diagonal bands.)

-Bob

zxcvbob wrote:

The Guy wrote:


\


In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars
failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and
ending up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply
came to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his
opinion in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here.
For years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a
nearby hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making
contact with a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement
core columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each
column is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a
dozen cars have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In
each case, the driver was cited for careless driving and required to
pay for repairs to the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner
and were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a
column fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on
someone, liability was just not an issue.

Tim


I was thinking about a section of fence inside the property line
(right-of-way/easement/whatever.) Sections of telephone pole sunk deep
in the ground at each end, a single 5/8" or 3/4" wire rope back and
forth about 3 times between the poles so it looks like 3 strands of
barbwire. Don't stretch the cable too tight, so when someone hits it it
will have some "give" to it. Plant some sturdy bushes just inside it,
and see if the county will put a barrier sign in front (alternating
yellow and black diagonal bands.)

-Bob

Not a bad idea. I would ensure that the fence is on your property and
check with the local building inspector to determine if any permit or
variance was required to erect that type of fence. As long as it is
legal, you should be OK.

Anyone who subsequently trespasses on your property and damages your
yard art / fence will have some explaining to do.

Tim
--
No BoomBoom for me! -

Agreed!

When you cross a property line, the property owner is absolved from any
liability. With the exception of them booby trapping the ptoperty. Which
opens the door for liabilaty and criminal prosecution.

Refinish King

"The Guy" wrote in message
...

\

In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars
failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending
up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply came
to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his opinion
in
writing, if you can.



I live in a suburban area. Speed limits are generally 25 mph here. For
years during wet weather, inattentive drivers would speed down a nearby
hill and slide across an intersection, occasionally making contact with
a house.

The problem was resolved by installing two rebar reinforced cement core
columns, with brick facing, just inside the property line. Each column
is about 2.5 feet square. In the last decade, about half a dozen cars
have jumped the curb and impacted one of the columns. In each case, the
driver was cited for careless driving and required to pay for repairs to
the column, landscaping and curbs.

A couple of lawyers attempted to push liability onto the home owner and
were laughed out of court. One judge told a lawyer that unless a column
fell over the property line, unassisted, and landed on someone,
liability was just not an issue.

Tim


--
No BoomBoom for me! -

Personally:

I like log fencing, there is no law that says I can't reinforce it with 1.5"
rebar either!

It's my fence, if they are driving at an unsafe speed and are risking a
catastrophe. I am not liable.

Screw em, let them pay higher insurance premiums, and let my children be
safe and my grand children have a mother around while I'm alive!

Refinish King

"Bob Paulin" wrote in message
news:01c40065$c8330420$8499c3d8@race...


Don wrote in article
.. .
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!


In the town I grew up in, one guy had a similar problem with cars failing
to make a curve at the end of a high-speed stretch of road, and ending up
in his back yard.

He placed some seven to ten-foot tall boulders in the path.

Problem is, in today's litigous society, anything you place in the
possible
path of a car just might make you libel for injuries that might not have
occured if the obstacle was not there, and the person's car simply came to
a stop in your yard with no man-made obstacles placed in their path -
especially since there is a history/precedent of people walking away
uninjured from forays into your front yard prior to you setting up any
barriers, etc.

We've all read about burglars suing homeowners for unsafe conditions
causing injury while they were attempting to commit a crime. There are
lawyers who are willing to launch just about any sort of lawsuit -
frivolous or not.

I would lobby the local government for some sort of guardrail, or
government-placed barrier - which should absolve you of any
responsibility.

I also think a visit to your lawyer to determine what you can do without
placing yourself in jeopardy might be a good first step. Get his opinion
in
writing, if you can.

Start by asking the town/county/state (whoever maintains the road) for a
guardrail and/or rumble strips based on the history of cars sliding off
there. If they put a guardrail up, you don't have the liability issues
that Walt already mentioned. A guardrail you put up could get very
expensive.

A berm (small hill) might be good. Either with hauled in dirt/sand, or
by widening ditch, and piling the removed dirt beside it. Don't use big
rocks. Widening the ditch is probably more effective (and safer) than
deepening it much - will give the bog effect Walt mentioned. Consider
planting it with some durable brush, if that doesn't screw up your
conception of what the yard looks like - the brush will provide some
additional resistance to the cars coming through, and will also make the
corner more noticable, so they might slow down more.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

Do not tamper with anything on the public road, or cause any condition for
property damage or injury to the offenders. You should go to the municipal
department for your area, and have this properly dealt with. Take some
photos as evidence to this concern. I am sure that they would have a legal
solution for you. If not, you can make a case, and ask for a public hearing
in the municipal court for your county. Just make sure you have convincing
evidence.

Putting up a proper barrier with the proper warning signs would be more
appropriate. The barrier and any signs would have to be made to be visible
both night and day. I am assuming from what you said, that there are signs.
Maybe you can convince the city to put up a stop sign near the curve, with a
warning sign about 500 feet before the curve. You will then have to put up
with the noise of the cars and trucks stopping and starting near to your
home, if they do this.

In the mid 50's, my parents had this type of problem, but in the city. We
had some streets where there were no stop signs, and people and cyclists
were having frequent accidents from cars. My father took photos, and kept
records. After about a year, he made a public case. Within an hour he had
the judgment passed. They had to make proper crossings, and put stop signs
on every corner in the area. Everything was done within the next month
after.

--

Greetings,

Jerry Greenberg GLG Technologies GLG
=========================================
WebPage http://www.zoom-one.com
Electronics http://www.zoom-one.com/electron.htm
=========================================


"Don" wrote in message
m...
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

In article , (Don) wrote:
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

There's a church near us that used to have the same problem...

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

The church tried a wooden fence, but the cars went right through it. Then they
put up a steel guardrail, and the cars smashed that all up. Eventually, they
took out the guardrail, and put in a large mound of melon-sized rough stone.
End of problem.

The last house I owned we had the same problem 9 out of 10 drivers just
left, leaving me a mess. The few that couldn't leave were so drunk the just
looked up. One lady had a car that most have been 2 weeks old. I went to
talk to her and she drove off with sticks and grass jammed in her tires. It
was a real pain. The town made the mess when they redid the road but would
do nothing to fix it. There was a fruit tree there and the bees made a very
big nest in it, I just left them be, a few drivers that got out to look got
stung but that didn't help my problem.

In article , "Wayne" makowicki
wrote:

The last house I owned we had the same problem 9 out of 10 drivers just
left, leaving me a mess. The few that couldn't leave were so drunk the just
looked up. One lady had a car that most have been 2 weeks old. I went to
talk to her and she drove off with sticks and grass jammed in her tires.

In this sort of case, a camera with appropriate sensor (or if you're
home, simply eyeballing the license plate) followed by running the plate
number with a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, plus the
damages, etc. might be of some use.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

Trying to get reliable license plate recognition with security cameras might
be more costly than you think.


"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
In article , "Wayne" makowicki
wrote:

The last house I owned we had the same problem 9 out of 10 drivers just
left, leaving me a mess. The few that couldn't leave were so drunk the
just
looked up. One lady had a car that most have been 2 weeks old. I went to
talk to her and she drove off with sticks and grass jammed in her tires.

In this sort of case, a camera with appropriate sensor (or if you're
home, simply eyeballing the license plate) followed by running the plate
number with a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, plus the
damages, etc. might be of some use.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

In rec.crafts.metalworking Tony wrote:
Trying to get reliable license plate recognition with security cameras might
be more costly than you think.

2-3 megapixel cameras are pretty cheap.
A wire-break sensor, some 5 or so 500W floodlights, and the camera in a
convenient place triggered to go off several times.

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 10:27:08 GMT, Ian Stirling
wrote:

In rec.crafts.metalworking Tony wrote:
Trying to get reliable license plate recognition with security cameras might
be more costly than you think.

2-3 megapixel cameras are pretty cheap.
A wire-break sensor, some 5 or so 500W floodlights, and the camera in a
convenient place triggered to go off several times.

Will you spell it out? Someone took a crow bar to the corner window
of my truck last night and took about every important tool I had. I
have to fix this problem. Is there a way to set off the cameras
automatically after the lights come on without flashes and multiple
shots ? I need to call the junk yard and I don't have a screw driver
little alone the other tools to get it off the one I may find. The
SWMBO wants a fence so the dog can get all around ASAP.
I'm afraid , if I had my way I'd put up a 9' block wall with broken
bottles in holes so they are replaceable. 0

Ian Stirling wrote in message ...
In rec.crafts.metalworking Tony wrote:
Trying to get reliable license plate recognition with security cameras might
be more costly than you think.

2-3 megapixel cameras are pretty cheap.
A wire-break sensor, some 5 or so 500W floodlights, and the camera in a
convenient place triggered to go off several times.

None of that solves his problem of people plowing up his yard however,
and no future wrecker of his property is going to be dissuaded because
of a prosecution that he's never heard of.

The solution is to prevent the people from ever driving on his yard in
the first place. I like the big boulders on your side of the property
line idea. Big pine trees may work as well.

On Tue, 02 Mar 2004 16:50:39 GMT, Ecnerwal
brought forth from the murky
depths:

In article , "Wayne" makowicki
wrote:

The last house I owned we had the same problem 9 out of 10 drivers just
left, leaving me a mess. The few that couldn't leave were so drunk the just
looked up. One lady had a car that most have been 2 weeks old. I went to
talk to her and she drove off with sticks and grass jammed in her tires.

In this sort of case, a camera with appropriate sensor (or if you're
home, simply eyeballing the license plate) followed by running the plate
number with a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, plus the
damages, etc. might be of some use.

That's the best idea yet.
Second best is a hefty wooden fence which would damage
their cars but not the idiots inside. Most wouldn't be
drivable so he could get 'em for drunk driving, make
them pay for repairs, and possibly more. Just don't make
it look like it's for that purpose. If the lowest rail
was just above bumper height and it took out the radiator,
it would be a real shame, huh?


..-.
Better Living Through Denial
---
http://www.diversify.com Wondrous Website Design

Once upon a time, highway signs, lighting, etc. were designed so that no
car could damage them by running into them. Cars hit these things head-on
and people died.

Modern highway design makes these things so they will "break away" should a
car hit them. The thinking is that a life is more important than material
things.

With that said, I would *not* place anything in the path of the cars which
would make them stop instantly such as boulders. concrete barrier, etc. On
some highways, they have plastic containers filled with sand which are
placed in front of bridge piers and other things which would stop a car
instantly. When a car hits the containers, the sand goes flying and the car
gradually slows down. I'm sure they use a specific type of sand and may or
may not fill the containers to different heights???

Also some "run-away" ramps (for when breaks fail on downgrades) use deep
sand to slow vehicles down. The tires sink into the sand. I don't know how
deep the sand goes or what type of sand they use, but I assure you the
government has probably conducted numerous tests to find the best depth and
best sand to use.

I have seen some private barbed wire fences on curves where the land owner
tied white plastic strips onto the fence every 4 inches or so. This makes
the curve more visible at night.

In any case, I would consult with a state or county highway department
engineer before doing anything. They would be able to give you safe
solutions to this problem and might fix the problem for you. If you could
take pictures of the approach (from both directions), curve, your yard,
etc. and meet with an engineer in person, you might get better results and
answers than just a phone call...

|some highways, they have plastic containers filled with sand which are
|placed in front of bridge piers and other things which would stop a car
|instantly. When a car hits the containers, the sand goes flying and the car
|gradually slows down. I'm sure they use a specific type of sand and may or
|may not fill the containers to different heights???

Water-filled plastic barrels also are used
Rex in Fort Worth

How about a moat?

-J

What about planting Kudzu, the vines would stop the car and by morning you
wouldn't even see it.....I can send you some....

Tony...
Jack wrote in message
...
How about a moat?

-J

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!


Plant oaks.

In the meantime, dig the ditch deeper so they at least can't get out again.
Tell 'em the dogs must have done it.

Large rocks are an option. Tell 'em the wind must have blown them there.

Years ago, the country road we lived on was winding and unpaved, and was
because of those characteristics often used for sports car rallies. One of the
neighbors did just that, and one of the drivers hit the furrows plowed in the
road, then the rocks. Broke an axle spindle. When he came back with a cop,
the neighbor remarked that if he had been driving at a reasonable speed he
would have had no trouble negotiating the obstacles. The policeman agreed that
it was likely that the dogs and the wind were the real culprits.

Today, it might not go over as well.

Last thing I'd do is complain to the town, though. They'd probably take 20
feet of your property to widen and straighten the curve.

John Martin

On 02 Mar 2004 17:21:18 GMT, (JMartin957) wrote:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!


Plant oaks.

In the meantime, dig the ditch deeper so they at least can't get out again.
Tell 'em the dogs must have done it.

Large rocks are an option. Tell 'em the wind must have blown them there.

Years ago, the country road we lived on was winding and unpaved, and was
because of those characteristics often used for sports car rallies. One of the
neighbors did just that, and one of the drivers hit the furrows plowed in the
road, then the rocks. Broke an axle spindle. When he came back with a cop,
the neighbor remarked that if he had been driving at a reasonable speed he
would have had no trouble negotiating the obstacles. The policeman agreed that
it was likely that the dogs and the wind were the real culprits.

Today, it might not go over as well.

Last thing I'd do is complain to the town, though. They'd probably take 20
feet of your property to widen and straighten the curve.

John Martin
20 feet less grass to mow, and no ruts might be worth
it------------------------------

Put a sign up the road before the bend saying "Nudist Colony 1km".
Guaranteed to slow cars down, however, honking horns may become a problem.

"Don" wrote in message
m...
Hey there, got an unusual question:

I live out in the country and part of my front yard is on a curve.
Constantly when it is wet outside, cars go too fast around it despite
signs being posted and end up sliding in my front yard. There is a
small ditch along the road that they go through and into my front
yard. Yesterday, someone even took out a bush I had planted at the end
of my driveway.

ANy bright ideas on what I could do? I thought about taking a tiller
and making the ditch deeper where it would be harder for cars to go
through. I even though of welding together some sort of guardrail to
but on my side of the ditch.

Any help woould be greatly appreciated!

|Put a sign up the road before the bend saying "Nudist Colony 1km".
|Guaranteed to slow cars down, however, honking horns may become a problem.

"Watch for Nudists, next 1.5 miles"
(appropriate sillouhette graphic)
Rex in Fort Worth

On Tue, 02 Mar 2004 20:37:45 GMT, (Rex B)
wrote:

"Watch for Nudists, next 1.5 miles"
(appropriate sillouhette graphic)
Rex in Fort Worth

Better make that an umm... shapely graphic. I sure wouldn't slow down
at the thought of catching a glimpse of your "average" nudist.

I'm reading this in RCM, so the obvious answer is to build one of
these
http://www.thefabricator.com/xp/Fabr...3/03web241.xml
Anybody who won't slow down to look at a dinosaur made out of tractor
parts deserves to crash into it. :-)

Wayne

|
|"Watch for Nudists, next 1.5 miles"
|(appropriate sillouhette graphic)
|Rex in Fort Worth
|
|Better make that an umm... shapely graphic. I sure wouldn't slow down
|at the thought of catching a glimpse of your "average" nudist.

Yeah, don't want them covering their eyes


Rex in Fort Worth

wrote:
On Tue, 02 Mar 2004 20:37:45 GMT, (Rex B)
wrote:


"Watch for Nudists, next 1.5 miles"
(appropriate sillouhette graphic)
Rex in Fort Worth


Better make that an umm... shapely graphic. I sure wouldn't slow down
at the thought of catching a glimpse of your "average" nudist.

I'm reading this in RCM, so the obvious answer is to build one of
these
http://www.thefabricator.com/xp/Fabr...3/03web241.xml
Anybody who won't slow down to look at a dinosaur made out of tractor
parts deserves to crash into it. :-)

Wayne


I imagine that any of those sculptures would put a hurting on the
average rice burner...

Tim
--
No BoomBoom for me! -