Right turn on red? With pedestrian deaths rising, US cities are considering bans

[Revoltingest]

Red = Red. No move. Simples.

More time spent idling unnecessarily
at red lights means more pollution,
more lost time, more traffic congestion
& more aggravation.
This must be balanced against the frequency
& severity of accidents due to right turn on
red. Have any statistics on it?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Not sure what you mean?

Watch @Stevicus' video in post #7.

 

[SalixIncendium]

If you want to get really confused, come to PA. There's a right turn signal.

Whether it's green or red, everyone goes. The just treat it as a stop sign when it's red.

I doubt anyone even knows what they're supposed to do. Heck, I'm not even sure what the law is.

 

[Secret Chief]

More time spent idling unnecessarily
at red lights means more pollution,
more lost time, more traffic congestion
& more aggravation.
This must be balanced against the frequency
& severity of accidents due to right turn on
red. Have any statistics on it?

No.

 

[Secret Chief]

If you want to get really confused, come to PA. There's a right turn signal.

Whether it's green or red, everyone goes. The just treat it as a stop sign when it's red.

I doubt anyone even knows what they're supposed to do. Heck, I'm not even sure what the law is.

Best to stay in the house then?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Best to stay in the house then?

That's how I roll (or, more accurately, sit).

 

[Secret Chief]

Watch @Stevicus' video in post #7.

Ah. No roundabouts in the US then?

 

[Stevicus]

Ah. No roundabouts in the US then?

They exist in some areas, although I don't think they're that common.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Ah. No roundabouts in the US then?

They're just starting to gain in popularity. But I've only seen a few that are more than one lane.

 

[Secret Chief]

They're just starting to gain in popularity. But I've only seen a few that are more than one lane.

They should do a sequel to that film - roundabouts with several sets of traffic lights on them are common on major roads, often 4 lanes. Hehe.

 

[SalixIncendium]

They should do a sequel to that film - roundabouts with several sets of traffic lights on them are common on major roads, often 4 lanes. Hehe.

Roundabouts II: Still Going in Circles

 

[Secret Chief]

Roundabouts II: Still Going in Circles

The existence of roundabouts was one of the main concerns that motivated the Pilgrim Fathers.

 

[anna.]

Do you think that banning right turn on red would improve traffic safety? Are there are other improvements in traffic safety which could be made?

No, because people who are likely to roll through stop signs are also likely to ignore no right turn on red signs too. Having no right turn at every red light would make traffic flow a nightmare.

There are more than a few intersections that have these signs where I live, they seem to be reserved for intersections that are very busy and have a specifically synced light cycle for that intersection, which may include a green arrow for one side that's not stopped by the no right turn on red, or some other planned traffic flow.

Those signs make sense to me, I can see why they're there, and I obey them. Others don't, either because - if I'm being charitable they're unfamiliar with the intersection and are so concentrated on navigating it they aren't seeing the three different 'no right turn on red' signs, or if I'm not being charitable, because they're quite familiar with it and aren't gonna sit through a whole light cycle just to turn right.

 

[Secret Chief]

If you want to get really confused, come to PA. There's a right turn signal.

Whether it's green or red, everyone goes. The just treat it as a stop sign when it's red.

I doubt anyone even knows what they're supposed to do. Heck, I'm not even sure what the law is.

To be fair - running with a stereotype - in Italy a red light is no more than a suggestion.

The UK is one of the safest countries in the world regarding traffic-related deaths. The US, not so much...

List of countries by traffic-related death rate - Wikipedia

 

[Alien826]

Full disclosure, I have driven extensively in both England and the US.

When I first came here (USA) I was shocked by "right turn on red", then got used to it and observed how it improved traffic flow.

Roundabouts are better than traffic lights and stop signs (once the rules are understood, which is the problem in the USA, people don't know how to navigate them.)

Mini-roundabouts* are better than stop signs on minor roads.

Yield signs are better than stop signs in low traffic areas.

* They just draw a paint circle in the intersection, set up signs and that's it. Cheap. Everyone knows it's to be treated as a roundabout.

I can expand on any of these if requested.

 

[SalixIncendium]

To be fair - running with a stereotype - in Italy a red light is no more than a suggestion.

Well then, that explains a lot.

We have a large population of Italian Americans in the area.

I mean, when you go out to eat, your choices are Italian....or....Italian.

 

[anna.]

No, because people who are likely to roll through stop signs are also likely to ignore no right turn on red signs too. Having no right turn at every red light would make traffic flow a nightmare.

There are more than a few intersections that have these signs where I live, they seem to be reserved for intersections that are very busy and have a specifically synced light cycle for that intersection, which may include a green arrow for one side that's not stopped by the no right turn on red, or some other planned traffic flow.

Those signs make sense to me, I can see why they're there, and I obey them. Others don't, either because - if I'm being charitable they're unfamiliar with the intersection and are so concentrated on navigating it they aren't seeing the three different 'no right turn on red' signs, or if I'm not being charitable, because they're quite familiar with it and aren't gonna sit through a whole light cycle just to turn right.

Editing to add:

But enough do obey it at one light in particular that the line for turning right backs up that freeway exit almost to the freeway itself and that presents a whole other danger.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Roundabouts are better than traffic lights and stop signs (once the rules are understood, which is the problem in the USA, people don't know how to navigate them.)

Slow down as you approach, come to a complete stop, check left and right, proceeds when clear, spike the brakes if someone is approaching the roundabout and again right before you exit.

Seems simple enough.

 

[Secret Chief]

I mean, when you go out to eat, your choices are Italian....or....Italian.

That's a bit dull... not even a Sicilian?

 

[SalixIncendium]

That's a bit dull... not even a Sicilian?

Only in the high class areas.