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Opinion on traffic lights

  • 25-05-2014 7:54pm
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 78 ✭✭


    I was driving and a friend of mine told me that I was wring and I was insisting that I was right.

    He insists that when the green forward arrow is highlighted, I can creep forward and wait until the road is clear to turn right as in the diagram (apologies for the crap drawing in paint).

    This is how I do it:

    I sit in the right of the lane and I wait for solid green or for the green right arrow. If the arrow is right green is illuminated, then I can proceed, if it is solid green, I will move onto the yellow box and wait for a clearing to turn right and make my manoeuvre.

    My friend thinks:

    He says I am right although he thinks that I can move onto the yellow box with a green forward arrow, but I insist that it is only for traffic in the leftmost lane for continuing straight ahead after the junction.

    I tried looking through various websites and browsing, but cannot find who is right.

    Advice anyone?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭lintdrummer


    Advice anyone?

    I would side with you on this one op. I'd say every junction is different of course but when the filter light isn't illuminated there's a possibility that the road to the right has pedestrian lights with a green man.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Decoda


    Sorry.......misread the op and gave info not relevant...apologies....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    If the filter lane for turning right does not have a red light then you can turn on any green. I dont think I have ever come across a green forward arrow that wasnt accompanied by a red/green for turning right, but if there is no red light then there is no reason to think that you cannot turn.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    I would side with you on this one op. I'd say every junction is different of course but when the filter light isn't illuminated there's a possibility that the road to the right has pedestrian lights with a green man.

    If there were pedestrian lights at the right hand road then there would be a red light on the filter lane. There is no way that pedestrians would ever have a green man allowing them to cross when the traffic was not stopped by a red light.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    djimi wrote: »
    If the filter lane for turning right does not have a red light then you can turn on any green. I dont think I have ever come across a green forward arrow that wasnt accompanied by a red/green for turning right, but if there is no red light then there is no reason to think that you cannot turn.

    Yep, your friend is right unless like djimi says the filter has a red. In most cases there's a sensor so that you have to move forward to trigger the filter.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    if you only have a green straight ahead arrow, you can only go straight ahead.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,004 ✭✭✭ironclaw


    corktina wrote: »
    if you only have a green straight ahead arrow, you can only go straight ahead.

    This. Its green in the shown direction. How anyone could argue otherwise is beyond me :confused: Why you would need a red is beyond me. Thats assuming right of way which is a serious case of driver error in my eyes.

    For instance, there is a left turn onto Fosters Ave from the N11 into town. You can have a green for going into town and a red for turning left. The reason being the pedestrians have a green light. Can be very weird as you can in effect be blocking the bus lane while you wait.

    Theres a similar situation in Phibsborough I think. Two lanes for straight on, but the leftmost has a filter that only allows a left turn normally out of sync with the forward. So you can be blocking traffic again if you are not going straight on (If you are unfortunate to be caught in the wrong lane as its possible for people unfamiliar with it)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    It is very much dependent on the junction. For instance this junction outside Sallins has no red on the filter. There is a box just past the line which activates the filter therefor if you don't move forward the green right arrow doesn't come on.

    I can think of several junctions like this in Naas alone. Of course there are junctions where there is no sensor, such as on the N11 where I would wait behind the line.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    corktina wrote: »
    if you only have a green straight ahead arrow, you can only go straight ahead.
    ironclaw wrote: »
    This. Its green in the shown direction. How anyone could argue otherwise is beyond me :confused: Why you would need a red is beyond me. Thats assuming right of way which is a serious case of driver error in my eyes.

    If there is nothing to tell you that you cannot turn right then why would you not turn right if it is clear to do so where the light on the road is green? Its not assuming right of way; a green right arrow would tell you that you have right of way. A green straight arrow with no red light on the right hand filter lane suggests to me that it is okay to turn right provided it is clear to do so.

    Like I said, I have never come across a junction where there is a green light with a forward arrow and no red light on the right hand filter lane. Where the filter lane only has amber/green lights, the light for going straight will be a solid green. Im sure someone can show me an example that goes against this (it is Ireland after all; we must assume that any situation, no matter how ridiculous, occurs somewhere on this island!), but it is far from the norm.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    FunLover18 wrote: »
    It is very much dependent on the junction. For instance this junction outside Sallins has no red on the filter. There is a box just past the line which activates the filter therefor if you don't move forward the green right arrow doesn't come on.

    I can think of several junctions like this in Naas alone. Of course there are junctions where there is no sensor, such as on the N11 where I would wait behind the line.

    Thats not what the OP is describing though. On that junction the main green light is solid, meaning that you can turn right into the Waterways if it is clear to do so, and the green light for the right hand lane is just an indication that the opposing traffic have a red so it is clear to turn.

    The OP is describing a junction like the one that you have linked, only with an arrow pointing straight ahead in the main green light rather than a solid green. Like I said above, Im not sure I have ever come across such a set of traffic lights.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    djimi wrote: »
    Thats not what the OP is describing though. On that junction the main green light is solid, meaning that you can turn right into the Waterways if it is clear to do so, and the green light for the right hand lane is just an indication that the opposing traffic have a red so it is clear to turn.

    The OP is describing a junction like the one that you have linked, only with an arrow pointing straight ahead in the main green light rather than a solid green. Like I said above, Im not sure I have ever come across such a set of traffic lights.


    Hmmmm

    But surely there's a difference between a green straight arrow and a solid green otherwise why have two different sets?

    I think I may be seeing the OP's point now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    According to driving school Ireland
    If you wish to turn right at a set of traffic lights that has an arrow to the right, drive into the junction when you see a green light, taking care not to block any oncoming traffic. Then, when it is safe, finish your turn. You should only wait for the filter arrow for turning right when you are in the junction and if it would be dangerous to finish your turn before the filter light appears.

    No distinction on whether the green light has to be solid or an arrow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 874 ✭✭✭More Music


    If you are turning right and are the 1st car in the queue to do so, you are entitled to enter the yellow box and position your car for turning right. Assuming the lights for you are green of course. The filter arrow doesn't matter, you can do it with or without a filter arrow.

    Only if you're the first car in the queue.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    FunLover18 wrote: »
    According to driving school Ireland



    No distinction on whether the green light has to be solid or an arrow.

    Apart from common sense.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    Apart from common sense.

    There are definitely junctions where I wouldn't do it. If you're in gear waiting to go, you're not going to shave much time of your journey either way


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 78 ✭✭Pat Custard


    I must also add that the traffic coming in the opposite lane is single lane and that after the junction, my lane narrows into a single lane. Thanks for your input everybody.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 611 ✭✭✭rubberdungeon


    A green arrow (also known as a filter light) means that you may move on in the
    direction of the arrow, assuming it is safe and the way is clear, even if a red light is also showing.

    If you wish to turn right at a set of traffic lights that has an arrow to the right,
    drive into the junction when you see a green light, taking care not to block any
    oncoming traffic. Then, when it is safe, finish your turn. You should only wait for
    the filter arrow for turning right when you are in the junction and if it would be
    dangerous to finish your turn before the filter light appears.

    http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-of-the-road-eng.pdf (Page 104)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    That means move into the box on a full green not on a green straight on arrow. The bit about not waiting for the arrow applies with a full green only.

    Jeez I always knew Irish drivers were half trained.....didn't realise it was actually somewhat less than that!

    The Rules of the Road is not law, just an interpretation, which some users on here are further interpreting in the way they choose.
    A green straight on arrow is a filter light too...you may only proceed in the direction of the filter arrow if that is all that is lit....left,straight or right whichever.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    The Green Arrow at traffic lights Dictates which direction traffic can move in, all other traffic must wait. Otherwise what is the point in having traffic lights with directional arrows, common sense I would have thought.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Two questions:

    A) Has anyone ever actually seen a set of traffic lights where there was a green light with a straight arrow that wasnt accompanied by a red light in the right hand filter lane?

    and

    B) If such a set of lights does exist, what law exactly are you breaking by turning right when there is a green straight arrow and no red light in the right hand filter lane? Youre not breaking a red light, there is nothing that tells you that you cannot proceed if it is safe and clear to do so, so what law exactly says that you cannot turn right in this scenario?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭DavyD_83


    djimi wrote: »
    If there is nothing to tell you that you cannot turn right then why would you not turn right if it is clear to do so where the light on the road is green? Its not assuming right of way; a green right arrow would tell you that you have right of way. A green straight arrow with no red light on the right hand filter lane suggests to me that it is okay to turn right provided it is clear to do so.

    Like I said, I have never come across a junction where there is a green light with a forward arrow and no red light on the right hand filter lane. Where the filter lane only has amber/green lights, the light for going straight will be a solid green. Im sure someone can show me an example that goes against this (it is Ireland after all; we must assume that any situation, no matter how ridiculous, occurs somewhere on this island!), but it is far from the norm.

    As far as I am aware, if this is the intention of the lights, then it should be a solid green, rather than a green arrow.
    My understanding is that green arrow is green in ONLY that direction; solid green is green in all directions.
    Green always meaning: proceed if safe to do so; not necessarily giving you right of way, particularly if turning right.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    The Green Arrow at traffic lights Dictates which direction traffic can move in, all other traffic must wait. Otherwise what is the point in having traffic lights with directional arrows, common sense I would have thought.

    I agree with you, what is the point? However it wouldn't be the only pointless traffic control measure deployed on our fair isle.
    A green arrow for straight ahead only governs traffic heading straight ahead, on it's own it has no bearing on traffic turning left or right. In the absence of an accompanying solid red light / filter arrow red light or indeed a no right turn / no left turn sign, how do you interpret the junction?
    Now I can't recall ever seeing a setup without an additional accompanying signal/sign but this being Ireland, they could well exist, so you've got to consider it as being analogous to making a turn at a junction with no signal control or at least that's what I would do if I had to make an instantaneous decision if I landed in that situation.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    djimi wrote: »
    Two questions:

    A) Has anyone ever actually seen a set of traffic lights where there was a green light with a straight arrow that wasnt accompanied by a red light in the right hand filter lane?

    Yes, And it doesn't have to be for the right filter. You can have a green arrow for going straight, but pedestrians around to your left have the green man. You won't have a red light telling you you can't go left, but the filter light won't be on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    The Green Arrow at traffic lights Dictates which direction traffic can move in, all other traffic must wait. Otherwise what is the point in having traffic lights with directional arrows, common sense I would have thought.

    Of course, but in the absense of a red light it means it must wait until it is clear and safe to cross, not wait for the green filter light.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    ThisRegard wrote: »
    Yes, And it doesn't have to be for the right filter. You can have a green arrow for going straight, but pedestrians around to your left have the green man. You won't have a red light telling you you can't go left, but the filter light won't be on.

    Where? Can you link it on Google maps? Because I dont believe I have ever seen a situation where pedestrian lights are green and the corresponding road lights are not specifically red.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,004 ✭✭✭ironclaw


    djimi wrote: »

    A) Has anyone ever actually seen a set of traffic lights where there was a green light with a straight arrow that wasnt accompanied by a red light in the right hand filter lane?

    Two junctions I described with a left turn have no red. And if you did turn left without the arrow you'd risk mowing down a few pedestrians.

    I suppose it depends on your interpretation. I would interpret a green arrow in a given direction as 'clear to proceed in that direction' with the assumption that all other directions are unsafe to proceed in. That to be is pure common sense (To me anyway) as whats the point of an arrow if you are clear in all directions.

    The flip side, is that if a red doesn't exist, then you are clear to proceed. But I'd rather err on the side of caution and proceed in a direction that is clearly denoted as being clear to proceed in irregardless of a red being present or not. I'd rather say to a judge I had a green filter than I proceeded in the wrong direction of a clearly directional green arrow.

    I can see you point though, I just don't see the logic behind the thinking if I'm honest. It seems very assumptive as 'well if someone doesn't say specifically I can't do something then I'll do it if I feel like it'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    ironclaw wrote: »
    Two junctions I described with a left turn have no red. And if you did turn left without the arrow you'd risk mowing down a few pedestrians.

    One of those junctions you said has a red light for turning left. I dont know the other one; it wouldnt surprise me if there is no red to accompany a greed pedestrian crossing though, given the standard of road planning in this country...
    ironclaw wrote: »
    I suppose it depends on your interpretation. I would interpret a green arrow in a given direction as 'clear to proceed in that direction' with the assumption that all other directions are unsafe to proceed in. That to be is pure common sense (To me anyway) as whats the point of an arrow if you are clear in all directions.

    The flip side, is that if a red doesn't exist, then you are clear to proceed. But I'd rather err on the side of caution and proceed in a direction that is clearly denoted as being clear to proceed in irregardless of a red being present or not. I'd rather say to a judge I had a green filter than I proceeded in the wrong direction of a clearly directional green arrow.

    I can see you point though, I just don't see the logic behind the thinking if I'm honest. It seems very assumptive as 'well if someone doesn't say specifically I can't do something then I'll do it if I feel like it'

    I dont see it as being assumptive at all. Red means stop, green means go. If there is no red, then there is no reason to think that you cannot go if it is clear and safe to do so.

    If there are pedestrian lights on a road then there should be a red light on the filter lane.

    There is nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution if you are unsure about a junction, but as far as Im concerned it makes little sense to do this most of the time unless you are really unsure as to what to do.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    djimi wrote: »
    Of course, but in the absense of a red light it means it must wait until it is clear and safe to cross, not wait for the green filter light.

    Nope, you can only go in the direction of the arrow..at least that is the spirit of the Law but actually you may be correct, if there isn't a Red light there is no reason to stop I suppose. I can't see what you could get prosecuted for.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    corktina wrote: »
    Nope, you can only go in the direction of the arrow..at least that is the spirit of the Law but actually you may be correct, if there isn't a Red light there is no reason to stopI suppose. I can't see what you could get prosecuted for.

    If I remember correctly it would be for "failing to obey a traffic signal" or something along those lines (I don't have time to look it up at the moment).
    Same as if a Garda is on point duty and he only indicates to the centre lane to proceed forward, thats not an indication for others to move. (open to correction)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    If I remember correctly it would be for "failing to obey a traffic signal" or something along those lines (I don't have time to look it up at the moment).
    Same as if a Garda is on point duty and he only indicates to the centre lane to proceed forward, thats not an indication for others to move. (open to correction)

    What traffic signal? There is no traffic signal in the filter lane; thats the point. You can assume that no light means red, and if there is something in law to say that then Im happy to be proven right and Ill shut up, but in the absense of a red light how can you say to someone that they are not permitted to turn?

    Its a bit different with a Garda; if they are doing their job properly then they should be signalling which cars are to stop as well as which ones can go.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,344 ✭✭✭Thoie


    Here's somewhere there's a straight ahead and a right arrow, with no corresponding red for the green filter:

    https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Nangor+Road,+South+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.327554,-6.369753&spn=0.009637,0.026157&sll=53.339471,-6.320679&sspn=0.009686,0.026157&oq=nangor+roa&t=h&hnear=Nangor+Rd&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.327333,-6.370036&panoid=QtjDKB388VzAMM3Xa90-IA&cbp=12,11.57,,1,5.35


    At that particular junction if I was turning right, I'd stay put behind the white line until I got my green filter, and that's what I see everyone doing there. Despite the lack of a red for right, it's perfectly obvious that there are cars and pedestrians going in multiple directions and that the intention is for you to stay put.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Thoie wrote: »
    Here's somewhere there's a straight ahead and a right arrow, with no corresponding red for the green filter:

    https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Nangor+Road,+South+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.327554,-6.369753&spn=0.009637,0.026157&sll=53.339471,-6.320679&sspn=0.009686,0.026157&oq=nangor+roa&t=h&hnear=Nangor+Rd&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.327333,-6.370036&panoid=QtjDKB388VzAMM3Xa90-IA&cbp=12,11.57,,1,5.35


    At that particular junction if I was turning right, I'd stay put behind the white line until I got my green filter, and that's what I see everyone doing there. Despite the lack of a red for right, it's perfectly obvious that there are cars and pedestrians going in multiple directions and that the intention is for you to stay put.

    The green light here is a solid green, not a straight ahead arrow. Common sense might dictate that you should perhaps wait for the filter green when its busy, but at 2 oclock in the morning, or when the traffic is clear coming towards you, there is nothing to say that you cannot turn right when only the solid green is showing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,344 ✭✭✭Thoie


    djimi wrote: »
    The green light here is a solid green, not a straight ahead arrow. Common sense might dictate that you should perhaps wait for the filter green when its busy, but at 2 oclock in the morning, or when the traffic is clear coming towards you, there is nothing to say that you cannot turn right when only the solid green is showing.

    Thought it was a straight ahead arrow :) I'm only ever there at rush hour (or so it feels), so always have to wait for the filter.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,982 ✭✭✭Caliden


    djimi wrote: »
    The green light here is a solid green, not a straight ahead arrow. Common sense might dictate that you should perhaps wait for the filter green when its busy, but at 2 oclock in the morning, or when the traffic is clear coming towards you, there is nothing to say that you cannot turn right when only the solid green is showing.

    My philosophy with lights is this:

    If it's regular traffic lights with right arrow filter, you can turn right with no green filter when there's no oncoming traffic.

    If it's a forward green arrow, then you can not turn right until you get your right filter arrow.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    djimi wrote: »
    but in the absense of a red light how can you say to someone that they are not permitted to turn?

    Wouldn't it be the same as a no left/right turn sign ? There's nothing to say you have to go straight, but the no turn signs infers that you have to go that way.

    Same with a green light with a green straight arrow, it infers that you only have green to go straight.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,352 ✭✭✭Phibsboro


    I think that given the amount of people who get this wrong in real life I guess it is only to be expected that we see evidence of that in here.

    Green arrow light = free to move in that direction only. Its as simple as that.

    In fact I tend to see the opposite error made more often, where drivers at are a solid green that also has a filter turn with no red on the filter - they sit at the solid green with no oncoming traffic until the filter green comes on! Drives me nuts. I give them a little beep sometimes but they usually glare at me like I'm forcing them to break the law. Amusing but annoying!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Thoie wrote: »
    Here's somewhere there's a straight ahead and a right arrow, with no corresponding red for the green filter:

    https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Nangor+Road,+South+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.327554,-6.369753&spn=0.009637,0.026157&sll=53.339471,-6.320679&sspn=0.009686,0.026157&oq=nangor+roa&t=h&hnear=Nangor+Rd&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.327333,-6.370036&panoid=QtjDKB388VzAMM3Xa90-IA&cbp=12,11.57,,1,5.35


    At that particular junction if I was turning right, I'd stay put behind the white line until I got my green filter, and that's what I see everyone doing there. Despite the lack of a red for right, it's perfectly obvious that there are cars and pedestrians going in multiple directions and that the intention is for you to stay put.

    AFAIK the solid green and filter arrow always operate in unison at that entry to those lights.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    I think that given the amount of people who get this wrong in real life I guess it is only to be expected that we see evidence of that in here.

    Green arrow light = free to move in that direction only. Its as simple as that.

    In fact I tend to see the opposite error made more often, where drivers at are a solid green that also has a filter turn with no red on the filter - they sit at the solid green with no oncoming traffic until the filter green comes on! Drives me nuts. I give them a little beep sometimes but they usually glare at me like I'm forcing them to break the law. Amusing but annoying!

    I don't think the oddball case of a green arrow for straight ahead with no green / red / flashing amber light or prohibitory signs for other directions is in any way common but given the general standard of traffic management in this country, it would be foolhardy to assume it's non existent. This is really a hypothetical question for most drivers as they won't have encountered it. In a lane specified for a particular direction, a green arrow for another direction means diddly squat, it doesn't mean go, it doesn't mean stop.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,352 ✭✭✭Phibsboro


    alias no.9 wrote: »
    I don't think the oddball case of a green arrow for straight ahead with no green / red / flashing amber light or prohibitory signs for other directions is in any way common but given the general standard of traffic management in this country, it would be foolhardy to assume it's non existent. This is really a hypothetical question for most drivers as they won't have encountered it. In a lane specified for a particular direction, a green arrow for another direction means diddly squat, it doesn't mean go, it doesn't mean stop.

    In the absence of any other green lights it absolutely means stop!

    Here is an example of a straight ahead arrow only, I can't see any other interpretation other than you can't turn right here...

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.343664,-6.307991,3a,75y,185.64h,74.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1skg4bKLX_Dj7xCBG1sraHYg!2e0


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    I think that given the amount of people who get this wrong in real life I guess it is only to be expected that we see evidence of that in here.

    Green arrow light = free to move in that direction only. Its as simple as that.
    ThisRegard wrote: »
    Same with a green light with a green straight arrow, it infers that you only have green to go straight.

    A green straight arrow means that you have right of way to move straight ahead (ie the other cars have red light and will not be crossing your path). I dont see why, or where it is defined that, this should also mean that you cannot go in another direction if it is clear to do so and there are no other signals/signs prohibiting you from turning onto the road?
    ThisRegard wrote: »
    Wouldn't it be the same as a no left/right turn sign ? There's nothing to say you have to go straight, but the no turn signs infers that you have to go that way.

    Its not the same at all. A no left/right turn sign means just that; you cannot turn left or right. It doesnt mean anything more than that; if Im at a crossroads where I cannot turn left I still have the option of going right or straight if there is no sign to say otherwise.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    It's another example of half-assed Irish road planning. I think if it was brought to a court, any prosecution would get thrown out as you were in a lane that no light applied to. If there isn't an instruction to stop, I can't se you have to Never thought of it like that before.

    I have often seen people (Mallow Bridge for instance) sit waiting for a green filter light when there is a full green lit....on top of the bad planning, they make life very difficult...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,205 ✭✭✭cruizer101


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    In the absence of any other green lights it absolutely means stop!

    Here is an example of a straight ahead arrow only, I can't see any other interpretation other than you can't turn right here...

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.343664,-6.307991,3a,75y,185.64h,74.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1skg4bKLX_Dj7xCBG1sraHYg!2e0

    Thats a strange one, there doesn't appear to be any no right turn signs. They seem to have just gone with the traffic light arrow which isn't very clear really. No filter at all so kind of different to what OP was describing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    In the absence of any other green lights it absolutely means stop!

    Here is an example of a straight ahead arrow only, I can't see any other interpretation other than you can't turn right here...

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.343664,-6.307991,3a,75y,185.64h,74.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1skg4bKLX_Dj7xCBG1sraHYg!2e0

    Thats just a really badly laid out junction. There is no filter lane here for turning right; both lanes are clearly marked as straight ahead (so its not relevant to the discussion at hand), and Im fairly sure that you are not permitted to turn right at that junction, however the lack of visible signage makes it very ambiguous.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    In the absence of any other green lights it absolutely means stop!

    Here is an example of a straight ahead arrow only, I can't see any other interpretation other than you can't turn right here...

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.343664,-6.307991,3a,75y,185.64h,74.25t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1skg4bKLX_Dj7xCBG1sraHYg!2e0

    Read my post again, in a lane specified for going in a specific direction, a green arrow pointing in another direction means diddly squat. Now in your example show me the lane specified for going in a direction other than the arrow?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,352 ✭✭✭Phibsboro


    alias no.9 wrote: »
    Read my post again, in a lane specified for going in a specific direction, a green arrow pointing in another direction means diddly squat. Now in your example show me the lane specified for going in a direction other than the arrow?

    In that case, I strongly suspect there is no such example - i.e. a junction with a turn lane that will show only a green arrow ahead until the filter light comes on (without there being a red light on the turn filter).

    If it did though, I would still say that if the only green light visible is the straight ahead one then you can't turn, turn lane or not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    In that case, I strongly suspect there is no such example - i.e. a junction with a turn lane that will show only a green arrow ahead until the filter light comes on (without there being a red light on the turn filter).

    I suspect youre right; the junction in question does not exist. Given that its Ireland however, it wouldnt surprise me in the slightest it if does!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    Phibsboro wrote: »
    In that case, I strongly suspect there is no such example - i.e. a junction with a turn lane that will show only a green arrow ahead until the filter light comes on (without there being a red light on the turn filter).

    If it did though, I would still say that if the only green light visible is the straight ahead one then you can't turn, turn lane or not.

    Again, read my post, hypothetical scenario it may not exist, but in this country, nothing would surprise me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    This is one junction I always see cars turning left into pedestrians who have the green man, although it's hard to be sure if it's just a regular light or one with an arrow, looks like the former.

    Here you can see both being green, https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.333686,-6.244621,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sT3kYqlIEsOjUya1WSgsbTw!2e0

    Get closer and the main light is amber, the filter is off. But there's only one light for left turning, which is either green or off. So what you get is when the filter is not lit, but the green on the main light is on, people will turn left across the pedestrian crossing who have the green man, without waiting for the filter.

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3338,-6.244857,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1se9kpyxW55WSNYV9CaYutbg!2e0


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,982 ✭✭✭Caliden


    ThisRegard wrote: »
    This is one junction I always see cars turning left into pedestrians who have the green man, although it's hard to be sure if it's just a regular light or one with an arrow, looks like the former.

    Here you can see both being green, https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.333686,-6.244621,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sT3kYqlIEsOjUya1WSgsbTw!2e0

    Get closer and the main light is amber, the filter is off. But there's only one light for left turning, which is either green or off. So what you get is when the filter is not lit, but the green on the main light is on, people will turn left across the pedestrian crossing who have the green man, without waiting for the filter.

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3338,-6.244857,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1se9kpyxW55WSNYV9CaYutbg!2e0


    Definitely set up wrong then as there's a set along the quays where the right filter arrow is off when the pedestrians have a green light to walk.

    Zero consistency with lights :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,176 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    ironclaw wrote: »
    Two junctions I described with a left turn have no red. And if you did turn left without the arrow you'd risk mowing down a few pedestrians.

    I suppose it depends on your interpretation. I would interpret a green arrow in a given direction as 'clear to proceed in that direction' with the assumption that all other directions are unsafe to proceed in. That to be is pure common sense (To me anyway) as whats the point of an arrow if you are clear in all directions.

    The flip side, is that if a red doesn't exist, then you are clear to proceed. But I'd rather err on the side of caution and proceed in a direction that is clearly denoted as being clear to proceed in irregardless of a red being present or not. I'd rather say to a judge I had a green filter than I proceeded in the wrong direction of a clearly directional green arrow.

    I can see you point though, I just don't see the logic behind the thinking if I'm honest. It seems very assumptive as 'well if someone doesn't say specifically I can't do something then I'll do it if I feel like it'

    I know both of the junctions you are talking about.

    Phibsboro is Doyle's corner.
    Coming from Cabra Rd/North Circular and heading towards Mountjoy the light is here (and very helpfully is demonstrating the scenario :D )
    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.360798,-6.273019,3a,75y,92.89h,88.54t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ssQ2UB5jg-KjZ2sUV70wprA!2e0
    Green arrow for straight on, and initially a red light for anything else (left turn, as right turn is prohibited here). This then changes to green for both left turn and straight on.

    The turn for Foster's Avenue also has the dual lights
    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.303481,-6.208478,3a,75y,328.9h,87.48t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sPwud-f08oRldMhxZ3YvqgA!2e0
    Both green in this instance.


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