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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: FUNKED1 on March 23, 2005, 10:38:56 PM

Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: FUNKED1 on March 23, 2005, 10:38:56 PM
IMHO the worst thing ever is the red left turn arrow.

The green ones are fine.  They give people a right of way to turn left.

And some red ones are fine too.  If the cross traffic is green, then it makes sense to stop people from turning.

But when the cross traffic is red (i.e. traffic going your direction is green), the red left turn arrow is pointless.  In this case all it is doing is stopping people from turning left across oncoming traffic.  

Why not just have no arrow at all in this case?  We're quite capable of judging whether it's safe to turn or not.  Think of the zillions of hours of lost productivity, sitting there at a red arrow when there is zero oncoming traffic.

I (and my spiritual mentor Adam Carolla) call on you to join us in our civil disobedience campaign.  If it's safe to turn left, do it.  Screw the man and his crappy lights.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Lizking on March 23, 2005, 10:50:32 PM
That must be some kind of liberal, homosexual, mexican lovin, gun hating Kalifornication of the traffic lights.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: JB73 on March 23, 2005, 11:51:01 PM
i hate more the "timed" light to the onramp near me...

imagine the direction i am headed has 20+ cars backed up at the straight light, and 35 at the left turn light.

opposing traffic has 3 cars at the straight light an there is no other option for them


light turns green, both left arrow, and straight.


6 left turn cars pass through, and the left arrow goes red.

now the oncomming traffic gets to go straight. the 3-4 thatwere there, and a max of 2-3 stragglers.


the is at an on ramp BTW so the only cross traffic is people getting off the expressway (MAX and i mean MAX 3-4 in the whole cycle of the light)

now this red arrow stays red for 1 minute, and 13 seconds (yes i have gotten so mad i timed int AND sent a message to the local traffic beureau)

now the whole thing cycles, but the 35 original left turn cars has become 40, yet only a MAX of 6 get through before the 1 minute 13 second wait for the next cycle.

this whole thing happenes at rush hour 7:30 AM in the suburabs where 95% are trying to get to the city to their jobs.

oh yeah, this road has a 50 MPH speed limit on it too, not some super busy metro traffic area


<<>>> traffic laws
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: bunch on March 24, 2005, 12:32:09 AM
the 250kts rule below 10k sux
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Fishu on March 24, 2005, 12:45:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by bunch
the 250kts rule below 10k sux


XXXXXX, no speed restrictions.

In the correct ICAO format   :D
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Gunslinger on March 24, 2005, 01:59:02 AM
Quote
Why not just have no arrow at all in this case? We're quite capable of judging whether it's safe to turn or not. Think of the zillions of hours of lost productivity, sitting there at a red arrow when there is zero oncoming traffic.


Because at least 50% of the drivers are liberals.  They have no judgment as the govt. tells them what to think, how to think, and when to think.  If these people would be given there own judgment they'd:

1. Give to many the right of way becuase they may have been minorities and lived hard lives
2.  Be woman drivers and never think its "Time" enough to turn or turn while talking on the phone and applying today's makeup in front of a city bus
3.  Stop to discuss the legality of lack of turn lights with their lawyer to sue the city for a large sum because the city lacks proper traffic supervision and they may spill their low fat double shot soy mocha expresso and burn their tiny genitailia


take your pick  ;)
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Stang on March 24, 2005, 04:19:16 AM
LOL yeah they really do suck.  I usually just look around to see if there is a cop around then gun it if I'm in a hurry at all.  If not I sit there spewing 4 letter words.

People who can't merge getting onto interstates are far worse though.  They crawl onto the highway at extremely low speeds then expect everyone to hit the breaks and "let" them in.  All of a sudden 4 or 5 cars entering the freeway cause a 1 mile backup because the chain reaction of everyone behind having to slam on the breaks as well.  I wish every other commercial on TV was a lesson on how to drive lol.  Merging is simple, you have to be going at least as fast as traffic on the highway or FASTER, that way you can choose where to fit into the stream of traffic and it causes no slowdown whatsoever.  If you're afraid to drive, don't.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrr

 :mad:
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: beet1e on March 24, 2005, 04:33:43 AM
What really sucked in America was that nationwide 55mph limit in the 70s/80s.

Things I liked - being able to turn right on red, or even left on red if turning from a one way street into another one way street.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Swoop on March 24, 2005, 05:15:57 AM
Try Holland.  Some traffic lights there dont recognise motorbikes, so unless a car pulls up behind you can sit by a red light forever......

Or ignore em like I used to.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Mini D on March 24, 2005, 07:31:03 AM
You can turn left from a two way to a one way street on a red too.

That's a california thing funkypants.  It was invented because californians can't be trusted to make any decisions that are based on judgement.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on March 24, 2005, 07:36:54 AM
So, unless there is a sign explicity saying "No turn on red arrow" - I can turn left on it?

I don't think you can... legally anyway.
-SW
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: mora on March 24, 2005, 07:50:06 AM
The most ridiculous things here are the PedXing traffic lights. Because pedestrians are the most important road users they are usually not bothered with pushbuttons so the lights are usually red until a car STOPS at the PedXing with no pedestrians in sight.

I mostly ignore them allthough I usually slow down a little. Also after driving around in the US I've started turning right on red if there's no cops in sight.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Krusher on March 24, 2005, 08:14:27 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Swoop
Try Holland.  Some traffic lights there dont recognise motorbikes, so unless a car pulls up behind you can sit by a red light forever......

Or ignore em like I used to.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)



we have lights like that here too. What i used to do was put my kickstand down and lean on it.  It seemed to work for me.
Title: Re: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: storch on March 24, 2005, 08:18:15 AM
Quote
Originally posted by FUNKED1
IMHO the worst thing ever is the red left turn arrow.

The green ones are fine.  They give people a right of way to turn left.

And some red ones are fine too.  If the cross traffic is green, then it makes sense to stop people from turning.

But when the cross traffic is red (i.e. traffic going your direction is green), the red left turn arrow is pointless.  In this case all it is doing is stopping people from turning left across oncoming traffic.  

Why not just have no arrow at all in this case?  We're quite capable of judging whether it's safe to turn or not.  Think of the zillions of hours of lost productivity, sitting there at a red arrow when there is zero oncoming traffic.

I (and my spiritual mentor Adam Carolla) call on you to join us in our civil disobedience campaign.  If it's safe to turn left, do it.  Screw the man and his crappy lights.


some communities have been installing cameras at intersections that take remarkably clear images of your vehicle and license plate.  they just forward the proof along with a fine.  I hear the people's county of Broward is in the process of doing just that in my beloved Florida.  I think they got the idea from Beet1e.  :D
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: storch on March 24, 2005, 08:21:46 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Swoop
Try Holland.  Some traffic lights there dont recognise motorbikes, so unless a car pulls up behind you can sit by a red light forever......

Or ignore em like I used to.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)


they must be utilizing Intersection Developement's loop detectors, easily the worst product on the market or perhaps the cloggies have the sensitivity set too low. it happens here occasionally also.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: OIO on March 24, 2005, 08:22:07 AM
"Why not just have no arrow at all in this case? We're quite capable of judging whether it's safe to turn or not."

No you're not quite capable.

My house is right in front on a 4-way intersection. aka +

A couple of years ago some hugahunk decided to turn left when his lane had a green light (he was coming north to south)...the other side also had green light (south to north).

The result was a 12 year old girl in another car dying in the crash..all because the hugahunk decided to risk squeezing his vehicle in a gap from the incoming traffic.

NO you are NOT quite capable of judging whether its safe to turn or not.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on March 24, 2005, 08:24:37 AM
I've never hit, nor been hit, crossing oncoming traffic. I guess that makes me quite capable.
-SW
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: indy007 on March 24, 2005, 08:25:48 AM
Quote
Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
So, unless there is a sign explicity saying "No turn on red arrow" - I can turn left on it?

I don't think you can... legally anyway.
-SW


My friend got out of a ticket that way. There wasn't a sign saying he could not... so he did. Pointed out the lack of sign to the cop, who let him go after running his plates. Wouldn't have believed it had I not been in the car.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: storch on March 24, 2005, 08:31:57 AM
I saw a report on the local news a while ago stating that the deadliest intersection in the world was right here in my beloved Florida, in the people's county of Broward.  the infamous intersection is Flamingo Road and Pines Boulevard.  The immediate area is full of condos for the predominantly aged and they seem to running into each other and killing themselves at an alarming rate.  the subject intersection is a heavily controlled intersection.  it seems that not only are we incapable of judging when it's safe to turn we are also incapable of turning safely even with the nasty arrows.  It's sad really.  often times I'm behind a land yacht and all I see from behind is a steering wheel and some frail knuckles firmly gripping the wheel at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: JB73 on March 24, 2005, 08:39:15 AM
at least in wisconsin:

Quote
Important: No turn may be made on a red signal if it means crossing lanes of moving traffic or if a sign at the intersection prohibits a turn.


from:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/behaviors/aggressive/red-lights.htm
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: FUNKED1 on March 24, 2005, 08:44:47 AM
Quote
Originally posted by OIO
"Why not just have no arrow at all in this case? We're quite capable of judging whether it's safe to turn or not."

No you're not quite capable.

My house is right in front on a 4-way intersection. aka +

A couple of years ago some hugahunk decided to turn left when his lane had a green light (he was coming north to south)...the other side also had green light (south to north).

The result was a 12 year old girl in another car dying in the crash..all because the hugahunk decided to risk squeezing his vehicle in a gap from the incoming traffic.

NO you are NOT quite capable of judging whether its safe to turn or not.


Well that settles it.  Once there was an accident somewhere, so CLEARLY I am not capable.  Nobel Prize for Logic to OIO.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: OIO on March 24, 2005, 08:52:44 AM
your logic fails if you believe that you=everyone else in your city and that because of that the dont turn left red arrow light should be removed.

Those lights are there for a reason. If they inconvenience you then thats too bad..for YOU. I just hope you dont choose to ignore those lights just because you think you're such a hot driver and have some kid pay with her life for it.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: EN4CER on March 24, 2005, 09:16:42 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Gunslinger
Because at least 50% of the drivers are liberals.  They have no judgment as the govt. tells them what to think, how to think, and when to think.  If these people would be given there own judgment they'd ..................


:lol Good One Gunslinger!

During game play I'm surpirsed half these guys in the O'Club aren't protesting near the runways, holding their "This Video Game is Violent / Make AH a peaceful game!" signs. Boy - Wouldn't I love to strafe em all if that was a fact.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Airhead on March 24, 2005, 10:01:56 AM
If I see some teeny little Subaru being driven by a big guy with a flattop turning left on a red light I'll run it off the road.

I hate scofflaws.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Mini D on March 24, 2005, 10:17:16 AM
Quote
Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
So, unless there is a sign explicity saying "No turn on red arrow" - I can turn left on it?

I don't think you can... legally anyway.
-SW
You can in Oregon... from a 2 way to a one way.  That is... unless there is a sign explicitly telling you not to.

We have left turn lanes with solid lights which you have to stop at and can't go unless it's two way to one way.  We don't really use a left turn red arrow (maybe there are some, but not many).  We have intersections with a left turn green that gives the left turn right of way, but will go to solid green which means the left turn has to yield to oncoming traffic.  This is only used for lanes where someone can turn left OR go straight.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on March 24, 2005, 10:29:04 AM
Virginia has both, the arrow to solid green with a sign indicating traffic may merge on solid green. Then there are the other turning lanes that do go from 2 lanes to 1 lane, but they have the green/yellow/red arrow lights. No sign explicitly saying you can't turn on the red arrow, but I always figured if they put the red arrow there then that meant you couldn't turn without getting a ticket.

Of course, who knows, bureaucracy works in wonderfully convulated and retarded ways. So they could have just spent more money for the green/yellow/red light just for the hell of it.
-SW
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: FUNKED1 on March 24, 2005, 01:31:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Mini D
We have intersections with a left turn green that gives the left turn right of way, but will go to solid green which means the left turn has to yield to oncoming traffic.


That's the correct way of doing it.  KSSR government pretty much sucks at everything.

Edit:  CHP are actually pretty cool, and the reflective dots are nice, but otherwise the state govt. blows.
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: MrLars on March 24, 2005, 02:38:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Swoop
Try Holland.  Some traffic lights there dont recognise motorbikes, so unless a car pulls up behind you can sit by a red light forever......

Or ignore em like I used to.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)


This happens to me a lot. Here are a few products that will trip the signal if your ride hasn't enough mass.

Here's one:

http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/page/L/PROD/SIGNAL/SS
Title: Worst Traffic Laws
Post by: Maverick on March 24, 2005, 02:49:02 PM
The only thing that reall came to mind when I read the first post was a take off from the old AW.


A whine has been recorded.