Traffic laws we should import
Discussion
Having just returned from a week of driving around Florida, I think we should adopt a few of their practices.
Turning right on a red unless posted otherwise. Everyone knows this one, but why shouldn't it work in the UK for left turns on red?
Overtaking on both sides on a freeway. Is this actually permissible, seems most people do it.
Moving into lane 2 when emergency vehicles are on the hard shoulder.
Speeding fines doubled when workers present.
Illegally parked on a disabled bay, $250 fine.
Any others?
Turning right on a red unless posted otherwise. Everyone knows this one, but why shouldn't it work in the UK for left turns on red?
Overtaking on both sides on a freeway. Is this actually permissible, seems most people do it.
Moving into lane 2 when emergency vehicles are on the hard shoulder.
Speeding fines doubled when workers present.
Illegally parked on a disabled bay, $250 fine.
Any others?
In Portugal if you speed on a dual carriageway you, and all other cars near to you, will be brought to a halt for 30 seconds by traffic lights 200 metres up the road. If you ignore the red traffic light you get a big fine.
These are not at a junction just lights on the road.
You get withering looks and hand gestures from other motorists who have also been brought to a halt.
These are not at a junction just lights on the road.
You get withering looks and hand gestures from other motorists who have also been brought to a halt.
HOGEPH said:
Turning right on a red unless posted otherwise. Everyone knows this one, but why shouldn't it work in the UK for left turns on red?
I think if they could make their road systems function without this they would get rid of it, especially in towns and cities. I used to think it was great until I experienced it long term. Also, even though I still see a place for it, I don't think the places it would work in Britain are common enough to make it worth while. It would just generate a huge amount of signage.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Trouble with the turn on red thing is it makes pelican crossings dangerous.
No it doesn't, it just effectively turns the crossing into a zebra - seems to work well over there, as the turning traffic is invariably turning a sharp 90 degrees and thus not moving at speed.jamei303 said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Trouble with the turn on red thing is it makes pelican crossings dangerous.
No it doesn't, it just effectively turns the crossing into a zebra - seems to work well over there, as the turning traffic is invariably turning a sharp 90 degrees and thus not moving at speed.Robbo 27 said:
In Portugal if you speed on a dual carriageway you, and all other cars near to you, will be brought to a halt for 30 seconds by traffic lights 200 metres up the road. If you ignore the red traffic light you get a big fine.
These are not at a junction just lights on the road.
You get withering looks and hand gestures from other motorists who have also been brought to a halt.
I hadn't know that system existed but I 'invented' it about ten years ago replace humps. Pass a sensor at above the limit (any limit: 30, 40, etc) and it trips a red light for a period - a red. light with a camera. Far better than humps.These are not at a junction just lights on the road.
You get withering looks and hand gestures from other motorists who have also been brought to a halt.
I'd also like another continental device (if it still happens - I saw it in Holland years ago) and that's an equivalent red arrow to the green arrow on the red stop light of a filter light so you're not left in any doubt what the red applies to.
Blockbuster said:
American style parking spaces.
Not only are they usually a bit wider so you can actually get the doors open, but the herringbone layout ones which seem to be everywhere are so much easier to manoeuvre in and out of.
But the reason spaces are bigger and laid out like that is because there is more space in general in the States. Simply less land here so we squeeze it all in.Not only are they usually a bit wider so you can actually get the doors open, but the herringbone layout ones which seem to be everywhere are so much easier to manoeuvre in and out of.
Edited by Blockbuster on Thursday 3rd October 17:20
Also the signs on the highway that tell people if they’ve had a minor fender bender, to get their cars off the traffic lanes and onto the shoulder.
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a massive tailback on a busy dual carriageway. You think it must be something serious. Then you eventually get to the scene of the accident just to see 2 cars in the offside lane, hazard lights on and one of the drivers is trying to buff out scratches on his bumper using his sleeve, whilst the other one is pacing backwards and forwards whilst on the phone to his insurance company, both completely oblivious to the fact that they are causing traffic to queue for 2 miles.
The middle of roundabouts is another place that people seem to like to sort out insurance details, instead of moving their vehicles somewhere sensible.
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a massive tailback on a busy dual carriageway. You think it must be something serious. Then you eventually get to the scene of the accident just to see 2 cars in the offside lane, hazard lights on and one of the drivers is trying to buff out scratches on his bumper using his sleeve, whilst the other one is pacing backwards and forwards whilst on the phone to his insurance company, both completely oblivious to the fact that they are causing traffic to queue for 2 miles.
The middle of roundabouts is another place that people seem to like to sort out insurance details, instead of moving their vehicles somewhere sensible.
standards said:
At night/off peak traffic lights to go flashing orange a la France.
Proceed with caution and avoid vehicles standing with engine running for minutes on end unnecessarily.
You'd think that would be a good idea but the anti car lobby in the UK won't like it even if it would reduce emissions by a little bit!Proceed with caution and avoid vehicles standing with engine running for minutes on end unnecessarily.
Blockbuster said:
American style parking spaces.
Not only are they usually a bit wider so you can actually get the doors open, but the herringbone layout ones which seem to be everywhere are so much easier to manoeuvre in and out of.
Except that they are designed to be driven into, needing reverse to exit. Less safe.Not only are they usually a bit wider so you can actually get the doors open, but the herringbone layout ones which seem to be everywhere are so much easier to manoeuvre in and out of.
Edited by Blockbuster on Thursday 3rd October 17:20
Cliftonite said:
Except that they are designed to be driven into, needing reverse to exit. Less safe.
But in the likes of supermarket car parks, everyone drives in forwards anyway. You kind of have to, because if you reverse in then it’s not that easy to get a trolley full of groceries into the boot. It’s certainly much easier to drive in and reverse out when the space is at 45 degrees to the aisle than when they are at 90 degrees.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Trouble with the turn on red thing is it makes pelican crossings dangerous.
In the US, even if you have a green light you still have to give way to pedestrians on the crossings, in a way it's good because you don't have separate pedestrian phases but with a lot of pedestrians, especially in cities you have to wait to make a turnForums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff