Traffic lights and box junctions

sevenhills

facade wrote: »

Most people (me included) are useless at predicting whether they can get across on amber. (the amber phase is 3 seconds)

I assume they would stay on amber longer, if the speed limit is higher.

sevenhills

tenchy wrote: »

Source? I actually think the opposite, though I admit I've no source for it. Arguably red light cameras are a hazard. If you know they are in place you'll lock the wheels up if the lights change as you're approaching them, rather than risk being caught. it could well be dangerous to do so.

Being rear ended or getting a FPN might teach both drivers a lesson, and the chances of injury is very low.

Mercdriver

tenchy wrote: »

Source? I actually think the opposite, though I admit I've no source for it. Arguably red light cameras are a hazard. If you know they are in place you'll lock the wheels up if the lights change as you're approaching them, rather than risk being caught. it could well be dangerous to do so.

Always interesting when someone demands a source but doesn't have one for their own position, assuming that their own position is superior by default.

They are only a hazard for unprepared poor drivers. Basic common sense tells you that if a traffic light in the road ahead has been green for a while it's likely to change soon. What hardship is it to be prepared for it to change by taking your foot off the accelerator or easing off so that you can stop in good time for the amber light? (Yes, amber, not red. Both mean the same)

System

tenchy wrote: »

Source? I actually think the opposite, though I admit I've no source for it. Arguably red light cameras are a hazard. If you know they are in place you'll lock the wheels up if the lights change as you're approaching them, rather than risk being caught. it could well be dangerous to do so.

I guess we've found someone who doesn't plan ahead when they're driving. They're not a hazard except for bad drivers. As the driver of a 44 tonne vehicle I approach all traffic lights expecting them to change. Even though they're on green I've already let off the throttle before i've got to them in preparation to brake. If I can pull up 44 tonnes safely before the stop line in the time that the lights go from green to red I'm quite sure you can in a far lighter car.

Car_54

sevenhills wrote: »

I assume they would stay on amber longer, if the speed limit is higher.

No. No need.

Helen77

Hi ya, just a bit of advice if poss, I got stuck behind someone turning right in a box junction earlier (stupid I know) I was going straight on, and it was obviously green when I entered but turned red whilst I was in it. I had no choice but to move as I would have caused obstructions, there's deffo a camera so I'm expecting a fine which I'm not bothered about but will I get done for running a red light also? Can I take a course for this instead of points lol as I can only have 6 in 2 years otherwise I lose my license 🙉 help!!!

Aylesbury_Duck

Helen77 wrote: »

Hi ya, just a bit of advice if poss, I got stuck behind someone turning right in a box junction earlier (stupid I know) I was going straight on, and it was obviously green when I entered but turned red whilst I was in it. I had no choice but to move as I would have caused obstructions, there's deffo a camera so I'm expecting a fine which I'm not bothered about but will I get done for running a red light also? Can I take a course for this instead of points lol as I can only have 6 in 2 years otherwise I lose my license 🙉 help!!!

Not bothered about a fine? Think taking a course is funny? Yeah, I'm sure you'll learn a lot from a course and come away a better driver...

Manxman_in_exile

OP - I wouldn't cross the stop line unless I was sure I could exit the box. Around here there are junctions where you can't see the lights after you are over the stop line so you are leaving yourself in "no man's land".


My biggest moan is yellow boxes on roundabouts. AIUI these boxes cannot be enforced unless the roundabout has lights on it(?).We have these (I presume) "advisory" yellow boxes on most of our roundabouts and it drives me mad when people block them. (But I presume they can do so with impunity?)


Because I don't want to unduly annoy other drivers, I keep outside yellow boxes unless I know I can clear them.

Car_54

Helen77 wrote: »

Hi ya, just a bit of advice if poss, I got stuck behind someone turning right in a box junction earlier (stupid I know) I was going straight on, and it was obviously green when I entered but turned red whilst I was in it. I had no choice but to move as I would have caused obstructions, there's deffo a camera so I'm expecting a fine which I'm not bothered about but will I get done for running a red light also? Can I take a course for this instead of points lol as I can only have 6 in 2 years otherwise I lose my license 🙉 help!!!

If the light was green when you crossed the stop line, then you didn't "run" a red light.

Nodding_Donkey

It drives me insane when people turning right won't enter a box junction at lights. You end up with only one car getting through the lights on green.

When you are going straight on and they don't cross even though they are through the lights that is just as bad and you can end up with no-one getting through on the green cycle.