speeding preventer lights

[cross-eyed-twit]

In Portugal they have these traffic lights that look at your speed and if its higher than the limit the lights turn red. maintain the limit and on you go minding your own business. I don't know if they have ever used these over here but could it work?
Ok I know the DVLA would simply attach a camera to it (as its a passive unit that costs money to run) and then reap the rewards or simply lower the limit to some silly figure but the theory works in practice as I have driven through them a few times.

Any opinion?
CET

[focusonme]

Are you talking about a series of lights that are timed to change in sync with the speed limit?

The way you described it makes it sound highly dangerous - you're going above the limit, so the lights turn red and you have to slam on the brakes. That can't be good?

[safespeed]

The speed sensors are well in advance of the lights, so no panic is involved. They are used in (at least) Portugal and Northern Spain, mainly as a way of controlling traffic speed entering a village.

Seems like a pretty good idea to me. The only penalty involved for speeding is a minute's delay. I don't know if there's a penalty for ignoring the red.

The only real downside is the message that anything below the trigger speed is a safe speed, but I don't think that would be a problem unless you lived in a speed-obsessed society.

[cross-eyed-twit]

yeah they put them well in advance and seem to work well, I think they have cameras after but then if you miss the red it really is a fair cop. You do have to wait a bit for them to change too and others that have to wait will give annoyed glances if you set it off. Kind of self policing really.

[catso]

cross-eyed-twit said:

Kind of self policing really.

Yes but not self-financing

[puffpuff]

So there are four cars approaching a crossroads from different directions, all within the speed limit and all four lights turn green - is that how it works??

[MilnerR]

puffpuff said:

So there are four cars approaching a crossroads from different directions, all within the speed limit and all four lights turn green - is that how it works??

No, there are no junctions involved, just a set of lights like on a pedestrian crossing.

[towman]

Saw these last week - there was definately a camera attached to the one I looked at. We are talking about the ones that flash up your speed as you are approaching?

One other plus point for portugal - the cameras display the speed limit on them. Why can`t we do that? How many times do you see a "stranger" braking hard to 30 in a 40 just because they are not sure.

[AL666]

That seems like a good idea, as long as some GODAMN IDIOT doesn't decide to ruin the idea and have a scamera attached... I guess it just makes it an inconvenience to people found speeding, which in a dangerous area would be good. Kind of removes the worrying when you get flashed and brings the punishment in when it has the most effect, which is immediately after the crime's commited.


Good idea I say.

(lets hope they can replace scameras)

[BigBob]

They've actually got something similar on one site around here. Incorporated into a pedestrian crossing - if you stick to just under 30mph the light will turn to Green as you approach, any faster and it will stay on Red meaning you have to stop.

Only downside, because it's built into a pedestrian crossing (there is a name for this type but can't for the life of me remember what it is ATM) drivers do tend to assume that if they're doing 30mph the lights WILL turn Green but if a pedestrian is waiting to cross it doesn't happen.

So far no accidents though but it does breed the 'Oh it's alright, it'll turn Green before I get there' mentality.

[safespeed]

BigBob said:

They've actually got something similar on one site around here. Incorporated into a pedestrian crossing - if you stick to just under 30mph the light will turn to Green as you approach, any faster and it will stay on Red meaning you have to stop.

Are you sure? That's very interesting. I haven't heard of anything quite like that in the UK. Can I have some more details please? Where is it, and how do you know what it does?

>> Edited by safespeed on Sunday 16th April 15:08

[BigBob]

safespeed said:

BigBob said: They've actually got something similar on one site around here. Incorporated into a pedestrian crossing - if you stick to just under 30mph the light will turn to Green as you approach, any faster and it will stay on Red meaning you have to stop. Are you sure? That's very interesting. I haven't heard of anything quite like that in the UK. Can I have some more details please? Where is it, and how do you know what it does? >> Edited by safespeed on Sunday 16th April 15:08

Yep mate, I'm positive. I drive past it two or three times a week.

It's a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights. The traffic lights default to Red and stay on Red until the approach of a vehicle. If the vehicle's speed is 30 mph or less the lights change to Amber/Green as the vehicle approaches. If the vehicles speed is exceeding 30 mph it will obviously arrive before the Red goes out or the Green comes on forcing it to slow or stop.

It appears to be combined with the normal 'Pelican' type crossing and this is were a certain amount of confusion creeps in. Locals will approach at less than 30 mph, confident that the lights will change to Green before their arrival, which they inevitably do unless a pedestrian approaches and presses the button ........

It appears to work on a fixed time principle, from the point where a sensor sited on top of the lights and pointed at on-coming traffic picks up an approaching vehicle.

It's located on Townhill Road SA1 (OS Grid 264028,193912) adjacent to a large playing field/park and Community Centre. It is 'boxed' on both sides by Gatso's, about (and I'm guessing here), 300/400 metres either side of it.

Any more info you need, drop me an email and I'll try to help.



BB