Left turns at red lights proposed

The message from Alex Buell contains these words:

I can see the attraction, but what would worry me would be the rise in SMIDSYs as people pull out in front of cyclists.

I still reckon a better answer would be to switch off all the traffic lights. When we lived in Hounslow the lights on Steve Biko Way were a pest, but every now and then someone would reverse over the control box and there was much rejoicing as the traffic flowed properly for a few days till they fixed it.

Would be interesting to see how it would go in the beginning. I reckon there would likely be a rise in accidents before people sorted it out in their heads. And motorbikes would be allowed to use bus lanes. About feckin time.

On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 08:49:57 +0100, I waved a wand and this message magically appeared from Guy King:

I'd take the view that such people who do that shouldn't be on the roads anyway.

The message from Alex Buell contains these words:

Yes, but since they are....

Unfortunately, they are - and having a test that involves an injured or dead cyclist isn't really the way to find out who they are.....

Precisley.

What worries me most about this proposal is the big "if" in there:

"to allow people to turn left through a red light if the road is clear."

How many [St George Cross waving] motorists will pull out in front of you as you pass through your green light, and -- when you jam on the brakes and point out your green light -- will gesticulate back at you furiously, and aggressively, pointing out that it is "their right" to pull out and there was "loadsa room"? :-)

John

Where I live? None whatsoever.

On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 09:30:09 +0100, I waved a wand and this message magically appeared from Guy King:

Then the powers-that-be won't accept the idea. This country is a nanny state, remember.

They should get rid of cycle lanes. I ride a bike, and they're a pain in the arse. Get squeezed on the ones on the road, and nearly die at every junction on the pavement. It's a bit like driving in france, where people pulling out have priority...

The message from "Doki" contains these words:

I'm not sure that's always the case any more.

Neither was I, but it gives you an idea of what riding on a pavement path is like. 20mph with the chance of a car appearing in front of you every couple of hundred yards is a bit grim...

But not in New York City. Anywhere.

It isn't. "Priorite a droite" is being rapidly replaced with Give Way signs.

The message from "Doki" contains these words:

Oh, having British numberplates and keeping them clean works well in that situation. The French seem well aware that the Brits don't have the same rule. It's the driving equivalent of shouting very slowly in English because you CBA to learn French but it works.

AFAIR this was the case when I first drove in france some 15 years ago - ie it was all done some time ago.

clive

If it can be made to work as in the US, the great. I found US driving very relaxed, including thier "pedestrians have the right of way - period" law in relation to turning on a red.

But knowing TB and his government, they will find a way to screw it up.

PDH

Alex Buell ( snipped-for-privacy@munted.org.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Mmmm. What do roads here have that roads in the US don't have?

That's right, pedestrians...

On Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:14:27 GMT, I waved a wand and this message magically appeared from Paul Hubbard:

Actually it was the Tories who suggested that - it's part of their ideas they put forward to try and get themselves elected.

Alex Buell ( snipped-for-privacy@munted.org.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Meanwhile, here in the real world.