Red the new amber?
Discussion
I've been doing a lot more driving the last few weeks than normal and it has occured to me that people don't stop on amber very much, and even don't stop after the lights have turned to red.
Last night approaching a junction with lights at an indicated speed of about 31/32 (30 limit), they changed from green to amber when I was perhaps 100 or so metres from the lights. I immediately lifted, coasted for a couple of seconds then braked gently before the stop line. For this, the prat behind me decided to sound his horn, lower his window and shout something about me stopping on amber instead of red.
I've seen worse when cycling to work. Lights change from green to amber, I slow down to a stop, yet frequently see cars and vans not only go across the advanced stop light on red, but the first line too.
Motorcyclists don't seem nearly as bad for it though.
Last night approaching a junction with lights at an indicated speed of about 31/32 (30 limit), they changed from green to amber when I was perhaps 100 or so metres from the lights. I immediately lifted, coasted for a couple of seconds then braked gently before the stop line. For this, the prat behind me decided to sound his horn, lower his window and shout something about me stopping on amber instead of red.
I've seen worse when cycling to work. Lights change from green to amber, I slow down to a stop, yet frequently see cars and vans not only go across the advanced stop light on red, but the first line too.
Motorcyclists don't seem nearly as bad for it though.
I think its because most lights are set in slow motion mode, i.e. after turning red they sit there doing nothing for 5 seconds or so before the other side turns green.
They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
There's a T junction with a filter lane and traffic lights near my house and everyone who goals along the main road seems to think that they have about 5 seconds after the light is red to keep going, which if you are then left stranded in the filter lane can cause problems because people are about to drive into the side of you.
I'm more like you though, I tend to not risk it after the light goes amber.
I'm more like you though, I tend to not risk it after the light goes amber.
RichwiththeS2000 said:
I think its because most lights are set in slow motion mode, i.e. after turning red they sit there doing nothing for 5 seconds or so before the other side turns green.
They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
I think you've got your cause and effect wrong there. They keep increasing the time between phases because people shoot red lights. They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
People shoot red lights because they're selfish, impatient idiots.
kambites said:
RichwiththeS2000 said:
I think its because most lights are set in slow motion mode, i.e. after turning red they sit there doing nothing for 5 seconds or so before the other side turns green.
They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
I think you've got your cause and effect wrong there. They keep increasing the time between phases because people shoot red lights. They need to speed up the switch over so red means "if you go through this, you're going to crash". Increase traffic slow and improve safety at the same time!
People shoot red lights because they're selfish, impatient idiots.
People will see from experience that the other lights don't change immediately, so they'll take the risk of going over a few seconds after they've gone red. If they knew that the others went immediately green then the learned behaviour would adapt correspondingly.
oyster said:
Last night approaching a junction with lights at an indicated speed of about 31/32 (30 limit), they changed from green to amber when I was perhaps 100 or so metres from the lights. I immediately lifted, coasted for a couple of seconds then braked gently before the stop line. For this, the prat behind me decided to sound his horn, lower his window and shout something about me stopping on amber instead of red.
But you are supposed to stop on Amber if it is safe to do so right? Im not sure why that guy behind you was yelling/tooting.You are right though. Ive had one the other day where in hindsight I thought I was perhaps a bit cheeky with the light turning red just as I was crossing the advanced line....then looking back into my rearview mirror in shock as the next 2 (!) cars behind me chance it as well on full red!
DonkeyApple said:
The simple solution is for road spikes to pop up on red. Then those who like to jump red lights can have their cars destroyed.
They are thickos who shouldn't be in cars so after a few events they'll be priced out.
Simples.
Yes, this sort of thing?They are thickos who shouldn't be in cars so after a few events they'll be priced out.
Simples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJdDRjjLRlc
Matt UK said:
DonkeyApple said:
The simple solution is for road spikes to pop up on red. Then those who like to jump red lights can have their cars destroyed.
They are thickos who shouldn't be in cars so after a few events they'll be priced out.
Simples.
Yes, this sort of thing?They are thickos who shouldn't be in cars so after a few events they'll be priced out.
Simples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJdDRjjLRlc
So tired of these idiots jumping red lights or not indicating. Just worthless savages so would be quite happy to see them all punted off the road.
deckster said:
Nope, I agree with Rich on this one. Law of unintended consequences in effect.
People will see from experience that the other lights don't change immediately, so they'll take the risk of going over a few seconds after they've gone red. If they knew that the others went immediately green then the learned behaviour would adapt correspondingly.
I suppose it's actually a bit of vicious circle. There has to be a safety margin but if you make the margin slightly higher than people are happy with, they start to shoot lights and you have to increase the safety margin. People will see from experience that the other lights don't change immediately, so they'll take the risk of going over a few seconds after they've gone red. If they knew that the others went immediately green then the learned behaviour would adapt correspondingly.
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