Why are so many breaking red lights?

Caliden

CramCycle wrote: »

Would I be correct in saying that there is a large dead time in Irish light sequences is to accomodate this type of driving?

Why are there these large dead gaps, 2 light sequences on the way home have about 2 second delay after the red comes. Surely this should be scrapped so as to discourage the red light jumpers or is it now such an accepted part of city driving that it would be viewed as too dangerous to remove it?

It doesn't make sense to me either.

I think adopting the UK model of red -> red+amber -> green would eliminate not only the dead gaps but this red light jumping crap.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Caliden wrote: »

It doesn't make sense to me either.

I think adopting the UK model of red -> red+amber -> green would eliminate not only the dead gaps but this red light jumping crap.

Any time I drive in the UK every goes on the red+amber..
You're just changing what light people jump on.

Caliden

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Any time I drive in the UK every goes on the red+amber..
You're just changing what light people jump on.

To be fair there's very little time before red+amber and green so people start moving off on red+amber but will rarely enter a junction when it's not green.


On the opposite side of the junction, cars are supposed to come to a stop on amber when safe to do so but what's actually happening is they speed up in order to get to the junction/lights before the lights go red (and often times are).


The issue of people going on amber+red is only actually an issue when others choose to ignore an amber.

wandatowell

I work a lot of Saturday nights, usually leaving work at 8am on Sunday. In this instance I drive through the lights by the Jack Lynch tunnel.


F*ck that waiting for the green when there isn't a car for miles. That being said I 100% acknowledge I'm completely in the wrong.

CramCycle

I realise that its going to receive criticism but a media campaign warning people that from a certain date, dead spots at lights will be removed, the lights for crossing lights will go green at the instant yours hit red.

Following this a step by step installation of red light cameras with no advertising campaign, let people get caught, they got enough of a warning not to do it. By the time the first RLJers get their fine, the camera will have already paid for itself. I do like the suggested idea earlier of an amalgamation of data to see is it a pattern or a once off, so those in an emergency or exceptional circumstances are not screwed over. If your plate is registered two days in a row, you get a fine, one day in a month then it is ignored

CramCycle

wandatowell wrote: »

I work a lot of Saturday nights, usually leaving work at 8am on Sunday. In this instance I drive through the lights by the Jack Lynch tunnel.


F*ck that waiting for the green when there isn't a car for miles. That being said I 100% acknowledge I'm completely in the wrong.

When I used to work nights, coming home through Donnybrook in Dublin I would be crossing the N11, even when my light went green crossing could be a danger due to the taxis running straight through the lights at the Dublin Bus depot. Its not like i had no lights, used to dress up like a bloody christmas tree at the time.

I'd accept your excuse only for the number of f*ck wits who are so situation unaware but believe that they are safe.

Caliden

CramCycle wrote: »

I realise that its going to receive criticism but a media campaign warning people that from a certain date, dead spots at lights will be removed, the lights for crossing lights will go green at the instant yours hit red.

Following this a step by step installation of red light cameras with no advertising campaign, let people get caught, they got enough of a warning not to do it. By the time the first RLJers get their fine, the camera will have already paid for itself. I do like the suggested idea earlier of an amalgamation of data to see is it a pattern or a once off, so those in an emergency or exceptional circumstances are not screwed over. If your plate is registered two days in a row, you get a fine, one day in a month then it is ignored

I agree to a point. There are certain junctions that you simply cannot cross on a green/amber light due to there being no right-turn filter light.


https://goo.gl/maps/D8Ov3

Donnybrook Rd turning right onto Belmont Ave. It's an absolute balls of a junction. To make that right turn you have to go when it's red and not just gone red but full on red because cars coming from the opposite side will still break the red light and you're in a yellow box.


The lights there have since been changed so it's not exactly clear.

Macy0161

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

At a guess...

- Badly programmed light sequences with too short on green and too long on red = sitting there for 5 minutes with only 10 seconds of green.
- Idiots not being ready to move off when the light does go green = I'm not going to waste another 5 minutes sitting here
- Tailgating asshats trying to jump the lights = I better drive on or this dope will rear-end me, and who needs the hassle of insurance claims
- Zero enforcement = why not?

I see all of the above daily

To take them in order...

- Part of the problem with light sequences is because of the numbers running red lights. They have an increased safety margin as far as I'm aware.

- The idiots are a cause of frustration - I was stuck behind someone the other morning who was slow off every light, as she was doing her bloody make up. Every morning there's the choppers that leave 100m to the car in front in crawling traffic, which has a knock on effect. Doesn't justify the numbers doing it.

- I don't consider someone tailgating you to be a valid excuse though.

- There used to be a couple of red light camera's around dublin - N11 at Nutley Lane, N4 at SCR. I know when they went in where I was living in England, they had a significant impact. It's one offence that there really isn't an argument against, like there is about some of the speed cameras. Hopefully the introduction at Luas crossings will see them roll out.

H3llR4iser

Everywhere I have been there is a small buffer between the lights going red on one side and the green on the other; It is in place to allow drivers to vacate the junction in case they are moving slowly due to traffic or having to give right of way.

Classic case, car turning right: they go through the green light but have to stop and let traffic coming the opposite direction through. If there's a lot of traffic, it might be necessary to wait for their light to go red again - at which point the few seconds of gap before the green comes up on the cross direction lets the driver complete the maneuver and vacate the junction.

CramCycle

Caliden wrote: »

I agree to a point. There are certain junctions that you simply cannot cross on a green/amber light due to there being no right-turn filter light.


https://goo.gl/maps/D8Ov3

Donnybrook Rd turning right onto Belmont Ave. It's an absolute balls of a junction. To make that right turn you have to go when it's red and not just gone red but full on red because cars coming from the opposite side will still break the red light and you're in a yellow box.


The lights there have since been changed so it's not exactly clear.

In that junction the red light applies to straight ahead traffic not to the right turn onto Belmont avenue as it is after the junction. When the light is Red for traffic it provides people with a chance to make the turn. Maybe it has changed, will have a better look on the way home this evening.

CramCycle

Macy0161 wrote: »

To take them in order...

- Part of the problem with light sequences is because of the numbers running red lights. They have an increased safety margin as far as I'm aware

That was my understanding as well which IMO is ridiculous as it not only facilitates law breakers, it actively encourages it

- The idiots are a cause of frustration - I was stuck behind someone the other morning who was slow off every light, as she was doing her bloody make up. Every morning there's the choppers that leave 100m to the car in front in crawling traffic, which has a knock on effect. Doesn't justify the numbers doing it.

I once let a roar "green light" coming past a guys window to tell him the light was green as he was on his ipad, not really my place but I felt bad for the guys stuck behind him.

- I don't consider someone tailgating you to be a valid excuse though.

Its not, if they are tailgating they are commiting two offences, not just the one you are commiting yourself.

- There used to be a couple of red light camera's around dublin - N11 at Nutley Lane, N4 at SCR. I know when they went in where I was living in England, they had a significant impact. It's one offence that there really isn't an argument against, like there is about some of the speed cameras. Hopefully the introduction at Luas crossings will see them roll out.

I know there are some at O'Connell bridge but I haven't heard of any fines from them, there were also observational ones at a few LUAS crossings but again, not sure if they were used to issue fines.

SpaceTime

wandatowell wrote: »

I work a lot of Saturday nights, usually leaving work at 8am on Sunday. In this instance I drive through the lights by the Jack Lynch tunnel.


F*ck that waiting for the green when there isn't a car for miles. That being said I 100% acknowledge I'm completely in the wrong.

Lots of good CCTV there... And ANPR.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

wandatowell wrote: »

I work a lot of Saturday nights, usually leaving work at 8am on Sunday. In this instance I drive through the lights by the Jack Lynch tunnel.


F*ck that waiting for the green when there isn't a car for miles. That being said I 100% acknowledge I'm completely in the wrong.

Nice attitude you have there.

Macy0161 wrote: »

To take them in order...

- Part of the problem with light sequences is because of the numbers running red lights. They have an increased safety margin as far as I'm aware.

- The idiots are a cause of frustration - I was stuck behind someone the other morning who was slow off every light, as she was doing her bloody make up. Every morning there's the choppers that leave 100m to the car in front in crawling traffic, which has a knock on effect. Doesn't justify the numbers doing it.

- I don't consider someone tailgating you to be a valid excuse though.

- There used to be a couple of red light camera's around dublin - N11 at Nutley Lane, N4 at SCR. I know when they went in where I was living in England, they had a significant impact. It's one offence that there really isn't an argument against, like there is about some of the speed cameras. Hopefully the introduction at Luas crossings will see them roll out.

There are no valid excuses. Gradually slow down coming up to the lights. You don't have to jam on the breaks on Orange. Drive normally and let the tailgater worry.

Qualitymark

CramCycle wrote: »

I once let a roar "green light" coming past a guys window to tell him the light was green as he was on his ipad, not really my place but I felt bad for the guys stuck behind him.

tinz18

SpaceTime wrote: »

Also while driving, I've had drivers get extremely aggressive and blast the horn when I stopped (correctly) in the right turning position on a full red light with a straight ahead arrow green showing. One woman literally held down the horn throwing her hands up in the air and drove to within a cm of my bumper.

Not just me then- the amount of times I've encountered that I thought maybe I was doing it wrong- the onslaught of oncoming traffic suggested I was right to wait. Its something that annoys the living hell out of me about Cork- I've lived in Dublin and Galway since I've started driving but I've never encountered the bullying and the f*** everyone attitude of a lot of drivers in the city. I'm lucky to live near city centre so i avoid driving if at all possible as a result.

One day I had to stop a girl from crossing a junction because I saw the driver of the first car panicking at the guys tailgating and blowing the horn behind. Sure enough the car took off along with 6 other cars- the feed arrows were both red and the solid green man was up for us. Later on that same day at the exact same junction a taxi driver nearly side swiped me when he broke the red light. It's craziness and having a friend killed crossing the road just before Christmas I'm paranoid of the selfish idiots who are willing to risk others and their own lives to save two minutes. If you're late it's your own fault- leave earlier in future to allow for delays.

Chris_Heilong

I would agree unnecessary blowing of the horn could cause some one to panic and maybe have an accident, IMO the person blaring the horn would be equally as guilty if someone was killed.

NIMAN

Its down to pure ignorance imho.

The pace of life has increased dramatically and with it so has driving speeds. Many people drive far too fast and dangerously for the conditions or location they are in.

Just the other day coming out of a supermarket I watched someone drive through a zebra crossing at about 40mph while a guy in his 60s was standing waiting for traffic to stop. I can only imagine the carnage I would have witnessed had that man decided to start walking across.

andrea1983

The pace of life has increased. I frequently have to check text messages, emails and whatsapp messages when stuck in traffic. Sometimes this means I take off a little slower than intended at traffic lights and have to go a bit faster to catch up with traffic.

whiskeyman

andrea1983 wrote: »

The pace of life has increased. I frequently have to check text messages, emails and whatsapp messages when stuck in traffic. .

Nothing is important to make you do the above.
Even if stuck in traffic.
If you boss / work demands it, turn your phone off during travel.
I know many people who throw their phone in the boot to avoid giving them the temptation of doing the above.

andrea1983

I have to have my phone on at all times and sometimes I receive urgent reports by email. Time is money so if I'm sitting stuck in traffic I might as well make the most of it.

tinz18

andrea1983 wrote: »

I have to have my phone on at all times and sometimes I receive urgent reports by email. Time is money so if I'm sitting stuck in traffic I might as well make the most of it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but pretty sure that's it's an offence to read texts (which also covers emails, whatsapps etc) while driving in a public place since May 14? Know a couple of people unlucky enough to get fined for it even with the lack of garda presence. Personally I think it's dumb to read anything on your phone while driving- if the amount of people who walk into me/various other objects or completely space out while reading their texts/emails on the street are anything to go by.

Viper_JB

andrea1983 wrote: »

The pace of life has increased. I frequently have to check text messages, emails and whatsapp messages when stuck in traffic. Sometimes this means I take off a little slower than intended at traffic lights and have to go a bit faster to catch up with traffic.

You're joking surely

Galwayguy35

I have to go through 2 railway crossings on the way to work and someone will regularly keep going even though the barriers are starting to come down.

CramCycle

andrea1983 wrote: »

The pace of life has increased. I frequently have to check text messages, emails and whatsapp messages when stuck in traffic. Sometimes this means I take off a little slower than intended at traffic lights and have to go a bit faster to catch up with traffic.

I suspect that the Johnny Law (and myself for that matter) would disagree strongly with you on this point.

andrea1983

Johnny Law?

I think if it's an emergency or if your contacting the emergency services, there's a dispensation. I often use the GPS on my mobile too so I don't really think there's much difference.

Caliden

andrea1983 wrote: »

Johnny Law?

I think if it's an emergency or if your contacting the emergency services, there's a dispensation. I often use the GPS on my mobile too so I don't really think there's much difference.

Big difference between an emergency and checking your whatsapp messages though, isn't there?

Put the phone away before you kill someone.

Viper_JB

andrea1983 wrote: »

Johnny Law?

I think if it's an emergency or if your contacting the emergency services, there's a dispensation. I often use the GPS on my mobile too so I don't really think there's much difference.

Can't be for real, no one would be stupid enough to think that contacting the emergency services is on the same level of importance as checking text messages, emails and whatsapp messages...

CramCycle

andrea1983 wrote: »

Johnny Law?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=johnny+law

A Garda basically

I think if it's an emergency or if your contacting the emergency services, there's a dispensation. I often use the GPS on my mobile too so I don't really think there's much difference.

You have admitted to knowingly breaking the law, potentially causing traffic delays and then going faster than necessary to make up for it.

No e-mail is that urgent, get a bluetooth set wired into your car for phone calls, and basically stop making excuses for what is poor and illegal behaviour.

andrea1983

It's not like I'm checking whatsapp for the latest shared video or images tbf. Their genuine emergencies and like I said, I often use the GPS on the phone particularly if im on route to a housecall emergency so i dont see the difference

Anyway i dont see why everyones getting there knickers in a twist and this is rapdily going off topic

CramCycle

andrea1983 wrote: »

It's not like I'm checking whatsapp for the latest shared video or images tbf. Their genuine emergencies and like I said, I often use the GPS on the phone particularly if im on route to a housecall emergency so i dont see the difference

If its that much of an emergency, the emergency services should also be on their way. If you are subtely telling us that you are a Doctor, then you should first of all get a bluetooth device for the car for phone calls. Also, FFS, who sends an emergency e-mail. A few posts ago, time was money, which is it?

Anyway i dont see why everyones getting there knickers in a twist and this is rapdily going off topic

Because you have openly admitted to breaking the law, the law you are breaking not only has been shown to reduce driver awareness, it also as admitted to by yourself, leads to delays at traffic lights, which causes annoyance to other road users who have the decency and cop on to follow the rules and pay ATTENTION.

There are also the other reasons to pay ATTENTION at traffic lights other than moving off quickly, including moving for emergency vehicles, reacting to an unexpected accident etc.