Confused by extra traffic lights on roundabout - is it just me?

usignuolo

Our council has recently installed extra sets of traffic lights on the middle of roundabouts located at busy cross junctions on main road. In theory I assume it controls the traffic flow better.

In practice, if the traffic lights on the approach to the roundabout turn orange as you pass through them, and you don't realise there is a second set as well, you accelerate to cross the roundabout, and don't have time to stop safely when you find yourself a second later at a second set of lights on red.

Is any special road sign used to warn motorists to expect this type of roundabout traffic light combination?

Viper_7

The lights take precedent. Not sure of the lay out you describe , but many are set up so that yes you do have to stop in the middle of the roundabout - not rush through them all!

Kilty_2

Works extremely well on massive roundabouts......... I bet they've put it on a tiny one

Bowling_4_Gold

Ermm... all I can imagine is a sign saying 'Traffic Signals 100 AND 200 Yards'. I have only seen this style of sign once though.

We have a similar set up to how you describe, except we have a red light camera on the second set of lights! lol

Wig

usignuolo wrote: »

In practice, if the traffic lights on the approach to the roundabout turn orange as you pass through them, and you don't realise there is a second set as well, you accelerate to cross the roundabout, and don't have time to stop safely when you find yourself a second later at a second set of lights on red.?

Presumably you can see the lights on the roundabout changing to red or already on red, and you slow down accordingly.

usignuolo

As I understand the Highway code, once you are over the white line you have to continue even if it means going through a red light....

The roundabouts concerned are not that large but they are very busy and it is not easy to see with the lorries etc, what the lights ahead are doing if you are in a small car. (These are main through roads with lots of goods traffic, big lorries, buses etc). The lights on the roundabout are offset a bit from those on the approach road and can be hard to see if the traffic is stacked up ahead (which it often is with large lorries etc).

Due to the layout of the roads and roundabouts, in two cases I can think of, the middle light is not visible until about ten yards before the approach light and only then if there is no tall traffic on the roundabout.

Also you can go through on green changing to orange at the tail end of a queue and be faced with a red light in the middle within the space of time it takes to arrive at the middle. I saw it happen to someone in front of me tonight.

Mids_Costcutter

The local authority should have erected a “NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS AHEAD” traffic sign (white text on a red background), but this must be removed 3 months after the new installation was completed. Was this done?

flyingscotno1

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

The local authority should have erected a “NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS AHEAD” traffic sign (white text on a red background), but this must be removed 3 months after the new installation was completed. Was this done?

They perhaps should have and it would have been brought up in the safety audit (if conducted) but I'm sure I've discussed this and it is not a requirement, but is good practice only.

I've seen traffic lights on small roundabouts and it is a mess. Just look for the stop light and lights next to it, the secondary signals often cause problems with read through.

computershack

usignuolo wrote: »

In practice, if the traffic lights on the approach to the roundabout turn orange as you pass through them, and you don't realise there is a second set as well, you accelerate to cross the roundabout, and don't have time to stop safely when you find yourself a second later at a second set of lights on red.

Is any special road sign used to warn motorists to expect this type of roundabout traffic light combination?

No. Perhaps you should try driving with your eyes open and at a suitable speed. In fact, why not try driving as you were taught and applying the rule that AMBER MEANS STOP, NOT PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN. The problem is one of your own making by your insistence on trying to beat the lights.

DaveMacD

usignuolo wrote: »

As I understand the Highway code, once you are over the white line you have to continue even if it means going through a red light....

Since it's a junction controlled by lights, HC rule 175 applies:-
You MUST stop behind the white 'Stop' line... unless the light is green. If the amber light appears, you may (not must) go on only if you have already crossed.... or are so close... that to stop might cause a collision (and let's be honest, the only way that would be likely is if the guy behind you was also trying it on and didn't stop in time).

Also 176 states "Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely.

If you have moved over the stop line, but the lights are now red, then you should stop. You do not get precedence, nor any right to continue, as rule 185 states:-
Give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.

Your control light is RED, therefore you have no right of way (someone else must have a green). You don't have to carry on (hence the highlighting of the word 'may' above). Think about it. If it seems stupid and dangerous, then it probably is, and barrelling into a junction where the cross traffic has priority is probably one of the daftest things you could do.

1jim

I have seen quite a few roundabouts with these lights on them and they seem to work quite well, tops traffic blocking up slip roads etc and keeps everything moving, never had a problem with them. The ones I have never really understood (or actually seen working) is the traffic lights at the bottom of slip roads on the motorway...