Some intersections have a red arrow that prohibits left turns even if there is no oncoming traffic. Motorists must wait until the signal gets around to illuminating the left-turn arrow.
2006-08-30 06:52:22 · 6 answers · asked by tbird 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I don't know, but I think it's a retarded system. Kinda like those "no right turn on red" signs you see in some places too. If there's nothing coming from the opposing direction, you should be able to make your turn.
2006-08-30 06:55:18 · answer #1 · answered by j.f. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Visibility is one issue.
By allowing the left turn, you are literally allowing the drive to turn into traffic. It causes a point where two cars are allowed to occupy the same space. In other words, it increases the risk of an accident.
Driving is rather dangerous. Far more people have died in cars than in the Iraq war, but it is more accepted.
Politics (the survivors or relatives of people in a crash, etc.) also play a large part in traffic engineering. DOT's are often more responsive than proactive, so some dump stuff happens.
I believe traffic engineering to be a sudo-science at best, but it is the best we can do with the limited resources we have.
2006-08-30 07:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cadair360 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those factors are determined by the department of transportation based on studies, or what was given to them by a core of engineers. Traffic lights at times add buffers to ease traffic during peek times and should make traffic flow more freely and safely. Traffic lights are also placed where there has been a pattern of accidents occurring at an intersection.
2006-08-30 07:06:11 · answer #3 · answered by bsure32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps there is a visual block somewhere. I wish everyone had the lights that read the traffic. Nothing is more irritating waiting for a light and you are the only one for what seems miles.
2006-08-30 06:57:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its just to make you mad. i guess at certain times of day when traffic is heavier, they need the arrow. but it makes me mad when there is no traffic and i have to sit there and wait.
2006-08-30 06:57:24 · answer #5 · answered by Niecy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Car idles, burns gas, you need to buy more gas. Exxon et. al. profit handsomely from the arrangement.
2006-08-30 06:54:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋