I dont see what the issue is with traffic lights, they are put implace to help improve the flow of traffic. I know sometimes it seems like they are not but honestly they are.
Obligatory xkcd:
Alt Text: You can look at practically any part of anything manmade around you and think 'some engineer was frustrated while designing this.' It's a little human connection.
It's not about everyone pulling an F1 style start away from the lights, but is to much to ask for everyone to be actually ready to pull away (safely) when the lights turn green? Actually paying attention to driving instead of pissing around with the stereo, daydreaming, not in gear, handbrake pulled up as hard as possible, kids fighting in the back seat etc?
Don't traffic lights usually go:red: Stop
red+amber: Stop, prepare to go, OR flashing amber: Go/continue if it's clear
green: Go/continue
amber: Stop (if you can safely).
^^^ yeah, sorry.
I deemed it unnecessary to put in the full phase & include the red in the amber phase, seeing as we were discussing only the 'being stopped, then going' bit of the traffic light cycle.....but you are right, I should have known how anally retentive people on here are & how they like to pull others up on pretty irrelevant matters.
I will endeavour to be more anally retentive myself in future..... 
BoardinBob - MemberActually paying attention to driving instead of pissing around with the stereo, daydreaming, not in gear, handbrake pulled up as hard as possible, kids fighting in the back seat etc?
Eh? I was always taught handbrake/neutral at traffic lights if they are going to be stopped for more than a few seconds. And I find it a more comfortable way of driving, than sitting with the car in gear.
I thought I was quite an impatient driver, but I am perhaps a model of calm & patience compared to some of you!
Traffic light signals.
I should have known how anally retentive people on here are
I've edited it to include pedant tags. 
My apologies for expecting clarity of thought from others. 
Ok they are to control the flow, but the reason they control the flow is to improve the flow for the road user that would be unable to progress otherwise.
And that XKCD is spot on!
Cougar: yeh oddly that doesn't include the flashing amber phase you get at some pedestrian crossings, but that is covered here instead: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070339 (Rule 196)
GrahamS - Member
I should have known how anally retentive people on here are
I've edited it to include pedant tags.
My apologies for expecting clarity of thought from others.
Clarity of thought......pfffft! Wassat, then?!
I was always taught handbrake/neutral at traffic lights if they are going to be stopped for more than a few seconds.
Do you still feed the wheel through your hands like you were taught?
At teatime my local Tesco usually has a two lane queue to get out with both lanes in the main road choked both before and after the light controlled exit junction.
Two weeks ago the lights were out and there was hardly a car to be seen either in Tescos or on the main road. It must say something.
I'll just leave this here: Dynamic Traffic Simulation.
Don't get me started on lights, the buggers here have changed the phasing for lights at the M1 island, only 3 cars going through. So it is now taking me 25-30 minutes to do a little over a mile to get on the M1!!
You must log in to post.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
