Ran a red light

[FoMoJo]

I'd like to see them replaced with roundabouts where feasible. I don't subscribe to the school of thought that American drivers, uniquely in the world, are too stupid to use them.

Small traffic circles should work in many cases.  The impediment in the centre would make most drivers aware that they need to, at least, slow down.  A bunch of flashing lights would, likely, be needed as well.

[Raza]

Stop sign & red light controlled intersections are inherently a dangerous way to control traffic.

Stuff it, crumpet-stuffer, we won the war.

[GoCougs]

About once a month I do something similar, esp. near my primary client, that has absolutely awful intersections (and drivers), primary sins of which is misaligned lights and worn out lane markers (to be fair I'm  also often enthralled in my latest podcast binge).

[GoCougs]

Stop sign & red light controlled intersections are inherently a dangerous way to control traffic.

Absolutely, esp. for pedestrians. I see close calls every day this time of year what with it being dark and wet so often.

Like any real red-blooded American I hate most anything new or different and traffic circles were no different but now I think they're the best thing ever. The multi-lane circles are not intuitive though (had to Google how to drive 'em actually).

[Galaxy]

Apropos red lights and stop signs:

One thing that bothers me a bit in North America is that the traffic lights are behind the intersections. Yes I know that the drivers at the front have to strain their neck less, but the problem is that this forces left turning drivers to run through the red light of the cross traffic. And that seems to break a fundamental principle that you never, ever run through a red light. I am not a fan of being able to make a right turn at a red light for the same reason.

Also, I noticed that often in North America, when I come to an intersection only after slowing down and coming close do I see that cross traffic has a stop sign. In Europe I would have a right of way sign that one can see from a distance. I think the US technically does have the yellow diamond as an official traffic sign, but they do not seem to use it. In North America, if one has no stop sign, no yield sign, does that always mean I can go, go, go, go, go?





ANd I second that  roundabout are generally a good thing, but that multi lane ones are a bad thing.

[SVT_Power]

C'est le vie.  Not the first for me, won't be the last, and it's part of the job.

C'est la vie

[Rupert]

Apropos red lights and stop signs:

One thing that bothers me a bit in North America is that the traffic lights are behind the intersections. Yes I know that the drivers at the front have to strain their neck less, but the problem is that this forces left turning drivers to run through the red light of the cross traffic. And that seems to break a fundamental principle that you never, ever run through a red light. I am not a fan of being able to make a right turn at a red light for the same reason.

Also, I noticed that often in North America, when I come to an intersection only after slowing down and coming close do I see that cross traffic has a stop sign. In Europe I would have a right of way sign that one can see from a distance. I think the US technically does have the yellow diamond as an official traffic sign, but they do not seem to use it. In North America, if one has no stop sign, no yield sign, does that always mean I can go, go, go, go, go?





ANd I second that  roundabout are generally a good thing, but that multi lane ones are a bad thing.

No sign for either intersection means four-way yield, I think. Might mean four-way stop, but I never do that. IMO, uncontrolled intersections are stupid, but in my neighborhood, they put up stop signs at uncontrolled intersections when they should have put up yield signs. I prefer the uncontrolled, personally.

[dazzleman]

I don't think rotaries can really handle the level of traffic at major intersections of multi-lane roads.

[Byteme]

Observations seem to prove otherwise, sadly.

The roundabout is a superior form of traffic control for most intersections.

No room for them in many urban locations.

[Soup DeVille]

Apropos red lights and stop signs:

One thing that bothers me a bit in North America is that the traffic lights are behind the intersections. Yes I know that the drivers at the front have to strain their neck less, but the problem is that this forces left turning drivers to run through the red light of the cross traffic. And that seems to break a fundamental principle that you never, ever run through a red light. I am not a fan of being able to make a right turn at a red light for the same reason.

Also, I noticed that often in North America, when I come to an intersection only after slowing down and coming close do I see that cross traffic has a stop sign. In Europe I would have a right of way sign that one can see from a distance. I think the US technically does have the yellow diamond as an official traffic sign, but they do not seem to use it. In North America, if one has no stop sign, no yield sign, does that always mean I can go, go, go, go, go?





ANd I second that  roundabout are generally a good thing, but that multi lane ones are a bad thing.

Traffic light placement isn't universal. Some are closer to the front of the intersection.

As far as your question goes; usually yes, but not always. In more rural areas uncontrolled intersections are pretty common; and those are four way yields.

[Morris Minor]

Another problem with stop lights and stop signs is that you are supposed to stop even if there's no need to do so.

[Rich]

The left front tire wear has increased because of my roundabout use 

About 2x the wear

[dazzleman]

The left front tire wear has increased because of my roundabout use 

About 2x the wear

You must be going pretty fast around the roundabout...

[Rich]

Late night tend to be a series of chicanes of empty roundabouts.

[dazzleman]

Late night tend to be a series of chicanes of empty roundabouts.

Must be fun to whip around them when there isn't much traffic.

[Soup DeVille]

The left front tire wear has increased because of my roundabout use 

About 2x the wear

Running too much toe out?

[Rich]

too many right turn Gs

[dazzleman]

too many right turn Gs

Any more camera tickets, Rich?  Have you got a collection going yet? 

[Rich]

Not in Afghanistan, no

[dazzleman]

Not in Afghanistan, no

WTF man, how did I miss that?  Back in Afghanistan?  Stay safe, buddy.

[SVT_Power]

I don't think rotaries can really handle the level of traffic at major intersections of multi-lane roads.

I don't think roundabouts were ever designed to accommodate more than maybe 4 lanes of traffic and even then it becomes a little bit of a mess.

[Rupert]

Roundabouts, aka chicanes. Love 'em.

[565]

This sounds bad but I honestly run the same few red lights every morning to work.

[CALL_911]

I saw this same exact thing happen right next to me today

[Galaxy]

As far as your question goes; usually yes, but not always. In more rural areas uncontrolled intersections are pretty common; and those are four way yields.

So when one approches an intersection in the US, there is no way to really tell what the situation will be like?

Also, don't many US states technically have right before left, at uncontrolled intersections. The law is just not enforced?

[AutobahnSHO]

So when one approches an intersection in the US, there is no way to really tell what the situation will be like?

Also, don't many US states technically have right before left, at uncontrolled intersections. The law is just not enforced?

Correct and correct.   

In some areas people assume which street is the busiest and therefore that street the right of way. Even though the law says otherwise.

[hotrodalex]

I see false starts like that all the time now- people with their noses buried in their phone see the guy next to them go so they let off the brake but look up and realize it's still red for their lane.....

Yep, happened twice in one day last summer. I ROLF'd both times.

[hotrodalex]

So when one approches an intersection in the US, there is no way to really tell what the situation will be like?

Also, don't many US states technically have right before left, at uncontrolled intersections. The law is just not enforced?

It's rare to have 100% uncontrolled intersections unless you're in a very rural area. Normally 4-way stop if both roads are equal in size, or the smaller road will have stop signs while the larger road doesn't stop.

I do think that a "stop not necessary" sign would be nice. The streets around my apartment have many different levels of priority, with some roads having stop signs at one crossroad but not at others. Can be hard to tell if you don't have a stop sign or if you simply didn't notice one.

[Morris Minor]

It's rare to have 100% uncontrolled intersections unless you're in a very rural area. Normally 4-way stop if both roads are equal in size, or the smaller road will have stop signs while the larger road doesn't stop.

I do think that a "stop not necessary" sign would be nice. The streets around my apartment have many different levels of priority, with some roads having stop signs at one crossroad but not at others. Can be hard to tell if you don't have a stop sign or if you simply didn't notice one.

[AutobahnSHO]

+1

but takes way too much thought for American drivers.