When the lights change whether you press it or not? This always puzzles me!
2006-10-20 02:23:27 · 16 answers · asked by bob2356 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
This question is to britain only, as its probably unique to britain!
2006-10-20 02:28:55 · update #1
Because some intersections use sensors to control when the light changes. If the traffic is running north-south and you need to cross you could end up waiting forever for the light to change since it won't change until a car come from the east or west. By pushing that button your are telling the signal to cycle through and change the flow of traffic so you can cross.
It's not meant to be instaneous.
2006-10-20 02:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to my thinking, the buttons serve two purposes:
1) to let the system know there is pedestrian waiting to cross the road
2) to release your impatience and give you a bit of power
I think the lights at the certain traffic lights change every few minutes or so.
On the roads which are used less by the pedestrians, by pressing the button you are guaranteed that the light is going to change to green in few seconds.
Kind regards,
:)
2006-10-20 02:32:23 · answer #2 · answered by Katarzyna F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To insert a pedestrian crossing stop into the ever running traffic sequence, or you could be knocked down by turning traffic from the other direction.
As a driver I notice many pedestrians fail to look both ways, and nearly 80% forget about the turning traffic!
And before you start I live on a main road with a pedestrian crossing virtually outside and I have seen many drive straight through the red light, failing to allow the pedestrians their turn to cross the road. It cuts both ways peeps. lol
2006-10-20 04:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by scrambulls 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some pedestrian crossing lights are actually affected by the button. They are phased to change a certain number of times but if you press the button they will change earlier for you.
2006-10-20 02:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by moonbeam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cause sometimes you can't wait for the lights to go green. You might be having an emergency like a heart attack or craving a dooghnut
2006-10-20 02:32:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not unique in Britain
2006-10-20 02:43:21 · answer #6 · answered by robin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just want to see how many people will press that silly button! Smile your on candid camera!
2006-10-20 02:31:32 · answer #7 · answered by KIM A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because otherwise you'd get run over! even tho its a crossroads it could still have traffic coming towards the road you want to cross from another direction.
2006-10-20 02:24:59 · answer #8 · answered by Andromeda Newton™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
what you on about?
if you dont press it the lights stay green in the uk and you dont cross. simple.
only in america would you find such stupid pointless gadgets that do sweet f a
2006-10-20 04:46:35 · answer #9 · answered by doynk2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To stop all traffic from all directions while you cross.
2006-10-20 05:12:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋