Cameras fitted to temporary traffic lights.
Discussion
Today I was confronted by a new style of 'temporary' traffic light.
These temporary traffic lights (the annoying wireless ones that frequently get stuck on red) now have cameras mounted above them pointed at the oncoming traffic.
A big sign below the lights said if you hurt our road workers feelings we will prosecute.
Has any else come across this new big brother rubbish? Are they to catch anyone jumping the red light?
These temporary traffic lights (the annoying wireless ones that frequently get stuck on red) now have cameras mounted above them pointed at the oncoming traffic.
A big sign below the lights said if you hurt our road workers feelings we will prosecute.
Has any else come across this new big brother rubbish? Are they to catch anyone jumping the red light?
This. If they were red light jumping cameras they would be pointing the other way to catch you as you pass.Can someone tell me if this is true or not.
Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
AndyFoo said:
Can someone tell me if this is true or not.
Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
I've tried that when the roads are empty and it seems to work for me too.Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
It could, of course, be coincidence....
Marc W said:
The (electronic) camera controller uses the camera image to "count" the traffic queueing up.
Well I would go with that except the big sign about prosecuting drivers. It was in white writing on a blue background just like a 'police' sign. Believe me I have seen plenty of temporary traffic lights (there are loads around here) and never seen cameras looking like the one I posted above on them.
Edited by raredevil on Thursday 19th August 13:38
james_tigerwoods said:
AndyFoo said:
Can someone tell me if this is true or not.
Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
I've tried that when the roads are empty and it seems to work for me too.Was sat at a set of temporary traffic lights, one car in front dark night. The car flashed their lights and they then went immediately to red amber, green. I said to my mate who was with me at the time, and he reckons at night you can get them to change for you if there is nothing at the other end. I called BS, but now I'm not sure.
Anyone in the know?
It could, of course, be coincidence....
Are you legally obliged to stop for temp. traffic lights? Someone told me once that you were not, I also understand that (as often happens around here) a workman in a high-vis jacket holding up his hand doesn't mean you have to stop either...it does annoy me when they close the road (admittedly usually only for 10 mins or so) by doing this, I don't think they have any right to.
The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
various people said:
Does flashing my lights make temp traffic lights change?.
No.It's a motion detector above the lights. If there's nothing coming in the opposite direction, when you approach the lights the detector will sense you and the lights will change.
Flashing your lights does nothing.
raredevil said:
zac510 said:
Are they like the ones that detect pedestrians walking across?
ie to control the light cycle based on cars waiting?
No they were cameras not sensors. Looked like one of these.ie to control the light cycle based on cars waiting?
Rgds
Jonathan
MonzaEvo said:
I've seen plain white vans around canary wharf area with cameras like these on each corner of the roof.... any ideas?
Rgds
Jonathan
ANPR? For what purpose I don't know, but that would be my guess...either tracking vehicle movements or looking for unliscenced/uninsured or specific 'flagged' vehicles?Rgds
Jonathan
If they are ANPR the ones on the traffic lights will just take a picture of every car that goes through so that if, for example, one hits a worker, it can be identified later. Maybe.
Edited by varsas on Thursday 19th August 15:02
varsas said:
MonzaEvo said:
I've seen plain white vans around canary wharf area with cameras like these on each corner of the roof.... any ideas?
Rgds
Jonathan
ANPR? For what purpose I don't know, but that would be my guess...either tracking vehicle movements or looking for unliscenced/uninsured or specific 'flagged' vehicles?Rgds
Jonathan
If they are ANPR the ones on the traffic lights will just take a picture of every car that goes through so that if, for example, one hits a worker, it can be identified later. Maybe.
Edited by varsas on Thursday 19th August 15:02
http://www.aslbailiffs.com/images/gallery/big/ANPR...
DavesFlaps said:
It's a motion detector above the lights. If there's nothing coming in the opposite direction, when you approach the lights the detector will sense you and the lights will change.
Flashing your lights does nothing.
Please come and host a presentation explaining that to the Taxi Driver's Guild of Northampton. The ones I encounter on my early-morning drive to work flash their lights at every set, regardless of whether they have a sensor on the top or an (obvious) induction loop in the tarmac.Flashing your lights does nothing.
varsas said:
Are you legally obliged to stop for temp. traffic lights? Someone told me once that you were not, I also understand that (as often happens around here) a workman in a high-vis jacket holding up his hand doesn't mean you have to stop either...it does annoy me when they close the road (admittedly usually only for 10 mins or so) by doing this, I don't think they have any right to.
The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
I always thought that they are considered a give way; if there is nothing waiting at the other end and it is safe to do so then you can happily drive through- this seems to be backed up by the fact that I've driven through a set before when my end was on red and as I got to the end a police car was just starting to approach the lights from around a bend in the road- and their end was still green meaning mine would have been red. Didn't even get a second glance let alone being pulled over.The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
Although if you went through on red and then someone came speeding round a bend and just flew into the roadworks and you had a head-on collision then I'm sure you'd be bent over and done up the arse for reckless driving.
Cock Womble 7 said:
DavesFlaps said:
It's a motion detector above the lights. If there's nothing coming in the opposite direction, when you approach the lights the detector will sense you and the lights will change.
Flashing your lights does nothing.
Please come and host a presentation explaining that to the Taxi Driver's Guild of Northampton. The ones I encounter on my early-morning drive to work flash their lights at every set, regardless of whether they have a sensor on the top or an (obvious) induction loop in the tarmac.Flashing your lights does nothing.
varsas said:
Are you legally obliged to stop for temp. traffic lights? Someone told me once that you were not, I also understand that (as often happens around here) a workman in a high-vis jacket holding up his hand doesn't mean you have to stop either...it does annoy me when they close the road (admittedly usually only for 10 mins or so) by doing this, I don't think they have any right to.
The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
The wording on the sign seems to back that up, it's not saying you will be done for failure to comply with traffic signals.
Highway code said:
Traffic light signals and traffic signs. You MUST obey all traffic light signals (see 'Light signals controlling traffic') and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary signals and signs
Basically, yes, you must obey even temporary traffic lights as "MUST" in the highway code is backed by law unlike "SHOULD" which isn't.In the absence of a "stop line" on the road, you are committing an offence if you pass the red triangle sign that says "WAIT HERE UNTIL GREEN LIGHT SHOWS" unless the traffic signal is showning a green light.
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