Breaking Red Traffic Light

McSpud

I feel this has been getting gradually worse over the years in Dublin. I find it very noticable it I go through on amber & then see 3-4 cars follow me through. Everyone might be on the edge of amber/red from time to time but some drivers seem to see red as the new amber i.e. accelerate when see red.

Coming out of a side lane onto Clanbrassil street (by FastFit) yesterday & I usually delay for a second or two as cars always breaking that light. I paused yesterday only for bicycle to wander through just as I moved. If I hadn't paused he would have been over my bonnet. Chances are I would be blamed due to no fault of my own.

Any one seen a serious accident caused by going through red light?

mikedragon32

It's annoying alright the amount of cars coming through amber/red lights. It would seem that the process is Amber = accelerate through junction, red = one or two more cars through junction.

As for this comment:

Chances are I would be blamed due to no fault of my own.

, of course this would be your fault, as well as his for breaking the light. You are supposed to ensure there is no oncoming traffic before proceeding through the junction. If you don't see him and he goes over your bonnet, you weren't looking properly!

John_Mc

mikedragon32 wrote: »

It's annoying alright the amount of cars coming through amber/red lights. It would seem that the process is Amber = accelerate through junction, red = one or two more cars through junction.

As for this comment: , of course this would be your fault, as well as his for breaking the light. You are supposed to ensure there is no oncoming traffic before proceeding through the junction. If you don't see him and he goes over your bonnet, you weren't looking properly!

I think the OP knows he'd get blamed but his point was that the cyclist has ignored the red light and it'd still be his fault.

I hate cyclists that do this!

BrianD3

It might be my imagination but I've also noticed a slippage when it comes to obeying traffic signals. In the last few years, people have gotten used to ignoring temporary traffic lights at roadworks. It has become the norm for at least 5 cars to go through a red light at a roadworks. Increasingly its becoming the norm to treat permanent traffic lights the same as temp ones

It's particularly bad in Dublin anyhow. Drivers behind expect those in front to go through on amber and the first few seconds of red and if you don't - well lets just say that I've gotten into a couple of shouting incidents for having the nerve to stop at RED signals.

Of course for cyclists it's not just the first few seconds of red that most of them break. The light could be red for the previous minute and if a cyclist comes up to it, chances are he'll try to go through. See it all the time. One good one was a few months ago I was waiting at a red light and a cyclist came up my inside and berated me for being too close to the kerb. First of all, I wasn't too close - it was a two lane road and I was properly positioned in the left hand lane. So he struggles through the gap between me and the kerb, clips my wing mirror and starts shouting at me for being too close - then cycles merrily through the red light. Brilliant :rolleyes:

Omcd

There are more than a few cyclists who it would appear actually believe red lights dont apply to them.

Big Nasty

Nothing worse then when you see a light go amber and gun it then the fecker in front of you decides to jam on!

mika27

See it all the time in Galway as well. Particularly at the headford road roundabout (which is a traffic light controlled roundabout). This is a very dangerous junction at the best of times and there are frequent accidents here but I always see 2 or 3 cars running the red lights in the middle of the roundabout.

Jokesetal

McSpud wrote: »

Coming out of a side lane onto Clanbrassil street (by FastFit) yesterday & I usually delay for a second or two as cars always breaking that light. I paused yesterday only for bicycle to wander through just as I moved. If I hadn't paused he would have been over my bonnet. Chances are I would be blamed due to no fault of my own.

Any one seen a serious accident caused by going through red light?

I've seen a cyclist knocked down at this junction about this time last year and it wasn't pretty. The cycle lane is all downhill here to St. Patricks Cathedral and cyclists can go too fast (Being a city cyclist in the past, I've been hit three times by passenger doors being opened without a care in the world - once with the driver driving away at speed in case I spotted his number)

OldmanMondeo

Ever since I got 2 pp and lost €80 for going through an amber, I will ensure I stop once I see an amber light, even if it means the poor fecker behind runs into the back of me, hopefully the Guard who gave me the ticket... ;D

I usually let the car start to slow down itself, preparing to stop. As pointed out all it tales is a kid to run as soon as they see the green man. How many times have you seen a car braking very heavly to stop for lights cause they were going to fast, most driver are going to fast anyway to stop at traffic lights.

Danbo!

Omcd wrote: »

There are more than a few cyclists who it would appear actually believe red lights dont apply to them.

I cycle myself and from what I see on a daily basis, I'd guess maybe 85% of cyclists break red lights, and about half of them do it without looking what's coming at all. Im not trying to be high-horsish here, but I havent cut a light while cycling since I started driving.

McSpud wrote:

Any one seen a serious accident caused by going through red light?

One serious, One Funny.

Serious.. I was sitting at lights on the canal waiting for my green. Perpendicular traffic get an amber and the cyclist in front of me pedals away into the junction, only to be taken out by a bmw heading through the amber (who had made the amber, and would have been through the windscreen if he had of tried to stop for it). The cyclist was ok, very shook up, but the wierdest thing was, about 4-5 people got out of cars and sided with the 'poor' cyclist. And me, the only cyclist about, sided with the driver.

Funny.. Driving this time, sitting at the crossroads between rathgar and rathmines. I noticed in my mirror a cyclist belting towards the junction with no sign of slowing. The pedestrian lights are green across all 4 crosssings, so the cyclist assumes no peds, and flies through. Low and behold, anther dope of a cyclist has the exact same idea but travelling perpendicular. Smash. It was the slowest awkwardest fall I've ever seen, laughed about it for hours.

John_Mc wrote: »

I hate cyclists that do this!

Well phrased, better than the usual 'I hate all cyclists because of this'

Saab Ed

John_Mc wrote: »

I think the OP knows he'd get blamed but his point was that the cyclist has ignored the red light and it'd still be his fault.

I hate cyclists that do this!

As my posts are not exactly known for their political correctness Im not gonna hold back on this one.

I hate cyclists full stop. Most dont understand road rules and the ones that do dont care anyway and just do what they want , up a path here, through a red light there. My personal favorite is when they all dress up as Lucozade bottles and in their alter egos pretend to be Stephen Roache.....10 abreast in the middle of the fu**ing road. I find a very close drive by whilst on the horn for long periods adjusts this attitude quick pronto. Really hate cyclists.

Omcd

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Ever since I got 2 pp and lost €80 for going through an amber, I will ensure I stop once I see an amber light, even if it means the poor fecker behind runs into the back of me, hopefully the Guard who gave me the ticket...

Onto confusing territory there. The amber AFAIK means stop unless to do so would cause an accident, but then the driver behind in most cases is responsible for a rear end. Who would win ??

Danbo!

Saab Ed wrote: »

As my posts are not exactly known for their political correctness Im not gonna hold back on this one.

I hate cyclists full stop. Most dont understand road rules and the ones that do dont care anyway and just do what they want , up a path here, through a red light there. My personal favorite is when they all dress up as Lucozade bottles and in their alter egos pretend to be Stephen Roache.....10 abreast in the middle of the fu**ing road. I find a very close drive by whilst on the horn for long periods adjusts this attitude quick pronto. Really hate cyclists.

I hate motorists full stop. Most dont understand road rules and the ones that do dont care anyway and just do what they want, driving in cycle lanes here, not checking mirrors there. My personal favorite is when they all want to get home fast and duck into bus lanes without looking. I find a very close cycle by whilst rubbing the steel end of my handle bars off their car adjusts this attitude quick pronto. Really hate motorists.

Easy to tar em all with one brush isnt it? I dont wanna start a cyclist vs. motorist fight here, as I am both, but people have to understand that there is bad motorists and bad cyclists. Having a bad attitude towards one or another is just dangerous, especially when you "drive close by" as a defence method

Saab Ed

:rolleyes: Thats horsesh*t and you know it

Danbo!

Saab Ed wrote: »

:rolleyes: Thats horsesh*t and you know it

What part of it is horsesh*t?

duffarama

I cycle, and there are a lot of bad cyclists out on the roads.
It seems those of us who obey the rules of the road are well in the minority. It's particularly annoying for me in the morning, swiftly passing by every cyclist along the canal only to have to pass them all by again after I'm the only one stopping for the red...

I had problems at the weekend as a cyclist with drivers turning right across my junction when they didn't have the filter light. I was pegging it through a green light and was nearly taken out of it by a guy who had no interest in stopping. Happened again later in the day with a taxi, who once he saw me at least waved to say sorry.

OldmanMondeo

Omcd wrote: »

Onto confusing territory there. The amber AFAIK means stop unless to do so would cause an accident, but then the driver behind in most cases is responsible for a rear end. Who would win ??

With all accidents nobody wins, well except the insurance companies, panel beaters and funeral directors. But, yeah the guy behind would be at fault for driving to close.

I should have mentioned common sense, I usually drive with a 1 year old and 3 year old in the back, I will take points anyday over hurting them or anyone else.

Heroditas

Omcd wrote: »

Who would win ??

The person in front would win.
you're supposed to leave enough distance between you and the car in fornt so you can stop - even if it means slamming on the brakes you should still not plough intothe back of them.

Saab Ed

Stee wrote: »

What part of it is horsesh*t?

When do you ever see car drivers dressing up as Eddie Irvine ( complete with helmut ) and driving slowly side by side by side by side by side by side by side up the middle of a road at 12mph ( resulting in hairy over taking ) or drive from a road up a foot path just because the traffic light is red or squeez up the inside of a car/truck/bus at a junction ( one foot on the kerb ) and kill themselves as the driver pulls away totally unaware that some ejit has placed himself under his wheels and has left him with a trauma he'll never forget. You need some lessons and qualifacation to get on the road in a car giving some sort of understanding and respect for other users. You only need a Christmas present to get on the road with a bike.

dcRoadie

As a motorist, I have been rear-ended by a White Van Man trying to break a red light. His defence was that I stopped too fast. He was happy to try and break a red light - I wasn't. He was to blame and he paid up for the repairs to my motor.

As for the cyclist v motorist debate - well as far as I'm concerned all road users be they cyclists are motorists are the enemy.

Amber = green as far as Im concerned.

OldmanMondeo

Lucas Obnoxious Wool wrote: »

Amber = green as far as Im concerned.

Quite wrong. Get off the until you learn the rule of the road..... Amber means stop.

OldmanMondeo

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Quite wrong. Get off the until you learn the rule of the road..... Amber means stop.

I said as far as I'm concerned. I dont think in 7 years if driving I ever stopped for an amber light, why would I stop the traffic going the other way still has a red light. I was living in London last year You should try stopping for or not moving off on an amber light there, you would be attacked instantly

stealthyspeeder

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Quite wrong. Get off the until you learn the rule of the road..... Amber means stop.

Quite wrong yourself! amber means stop only if its safe to do so. maybe you should reread the rules of the road?;)

OldmanMondeo

Lucas Obnoxious Wool wrote: »

I said as far as I'm concerned. I dont think in 7 years if driving I ever stopped for an amber light, why would I stop the traffic going the other way still has a red light. I was living in London last year You should try stopping for or not moving off on an amber light there, you would be attacked instantly

Your not in London now. Drive as per the IRISH RULES OF THE ROAD.

KTRIC

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Quite wrong. Get off the until you learn the rule of the road..... Amber means stop.

You're preaching to someone about the rules of the road that you don't know yourself.

Amber = slow down, prepare to stop / proceed with caution.

McSpud

Jokesetal wrote: »

I've seen a cyclist knocked down at this junction about this time last year and it wasn't pretty. The cycle lane is all downhill here to St. Patricks Cathedral and cyclists can go too fast (Being a city cyclist in the past, I've been hit three times by passenger doors being opened without a care in the world - once with the driver driving away at speed in case I spotted his number)

I was on the opposite side of that junction so cyclist would not be able to see me stopped at the lights. I would probbaly only have to move maybe 5 feet to hit the cyclist & as I can see his red light it was probably red for a few seconds before I moved.

I'd love to have a tank so would not have to yield to people breaking their red light. Would have to be a fast tank to move off the lights though

Danbo!

I didnt say anything about cars on footpaths or cars in groups at 12mph. What i was saying is there are bad drivers and bad cyclists. Acting the muppet on the road, be it a cyclist purposly slowing you down because you pissed him off or driving close by a cyclist is only going aggravate the situation and make things worse. Its when people in cars treat all cyclists with no care or respect, that cyclists start dishing it back at them and vice versa. I've seen muppetry from both sides many times and it never ends well.

Voodoomelon

A set of lights actually made me look like a right twat recently.

They were temporary road work lights setup around the Marshes shopping centre in Dundalk, as only one lane of traffic was open. I sat at the red light for a minute or so, it turned green and I proceeded down the single lane (it was about 250 metres long).
Half way down it I see 2 cars coming towards me and then a third, I was ripping, assumed they'd broken their red light and had headed on regardless. I started flashing at them, threw my arm up etc and all 3 cars started driving up onto the 8" kerb and onto the footpath. I drove by shaking my head at them only to reach the other set of lights, which weren't turned on...

OldmanMondeo

KTRIC wrote: »

You're preaching to someone about the rules of the road that you don't know yourself.

Amber = slow down, prepare to stop / proceed with caution.

Wrong, it means stop. Green means proceed with caution.

Pedro K

Sometimes bad road planning causes situations with traffic lights.

For example

There is a set of traffic lights very near to my home.
The junction is a cross junction, with one road being significantly busier than the other, particularly at peak hours. (all roads are two way traffic)

----| |----
----| |----


Say this is the junction. (Shoddy diagram I know)
The road going left-right is going in and out of the two adjacent estates, whereas the road going up-down is a much busier road.
There are filter lights on this junction, however, the filter lights are on the minor roads, leading onto the major one, and there are no filter lights for turning from the main road into the estate roads.

As a result, in peak traffic, going on the main road going, the cars split into two lanes, one going right, and the rest going left or straight through. However, because there is such a high volume of oncoming traffic, it is near impossible to get your right turn in on green. Most cars have to wait until the light goes amber (and in some cases red) so the oncoming traffic then slows and stops and then a handful of cars come through!

I don't know personally of any accidents caused by it, but I have seen the aftermath of accidents at the scene before and can only assume it was due to somebody breaking the red.

Anybody else know of anything similar?