Red light = stop?

[911S Targa]

Here in Vegas, they have installed these great crosswalk signs (you know, the ones that have the green walking man, then turns to a red hand). Well, these new ones we have, have a countdown meter, that you can see. So when your coming up on an intersection, and you see the red hand flashing, you just look at the number counting down next to it, which gives you a great idea when the light is going to turn yellow.

Plus, here in Vegas, you run a very high risk of getting a ticket. They have this program with Metro, that they sit at certain corners, and watch to see who flys thru the yellows, or the reds. You run the red, you have a cycle cop on your ass. I havent received a ticket, but from what I hear, they arent cheap.

[daleflesburg]

It makes you want to install a HUGE pitchfork device in your trailer hitch and REALLY spear them, but then I suppose you would be arrested for manslaughter. Reminds me of the time I was laughing at work about a movie I saw in which the "high speed excape" vehicle dropped a bunch of nails out of a trap door in the trunk to stop the "hot chase police". Colleague said "not funny", seems as though someone did something similar only with 5 gal of oil on a exit ramp, and he and his wife were just a minute or so behind the police. He got caught up in the oil and totaled his car and badly injured his wife. And she took months to recover.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by djmcmath
Seriously. Since I've moved to CT, I've seen the most amazing things on my morning commute. People will risk their lives to save a couple of seconds getting to the Main Gate.

A funny though just occurred to me: these are the same people that I was driving with out in WA -- I'm still commuting to a Navy base -- but the drivers here are completely different than those in Washington. Weird.

There is a regionality to it, for sure. You have to drive in Boston just once, just to see what people are capable of.

[bryanthompson]

Originally posted by 911S Targa
Here in Vegas, they have installed these great crosswalk signs (you know, the ones that have the green walking man, then turns to a red hand). Well, these new ones we have, have a countdown meter, that you can see. So when your coming up on an intersection, and you see the red hand flashing, you just look at the number counting down next to it, which gives you a great idea when the light is going to turn yellow.

We have some of those installed around town, but I've noticed that they're only next to schools. I think with normal ones, the speed of the hand flashing is some indication, but I haven't quite figured out how the timing works on those.

[VINMAN]

Here in NYC, people drive through red lights like they dont even exist. They stop, then drive right through it. But then again , when the police do the same for no reason, it doesn't set the best example....

[Flatbutt1]

Heck in Philly and Trenton those white and yellow lines dividing the road are merely suggestions. I've been passed on a Philly surface road on both sides at the same time!

[deanp]

There is a regionality to it, for sure. You have to drive in Boston just once, just to see what people are capable of.

My old boss lived at Harbor Towers in Boston. The first time I drove with him was out of town at a trade show, he displayed his Boston habits to all....

His exact words were ... "If I don't make eye contact, they don't exist."

[motion]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
If the light ain't yet red,

it's full speed ahead!

LOL!

[Steve Carlton]

Starman says...

[kach22i]

Stop signs apparently mean don't slow down at all or you might lose grip on your cell phone.

I now miss the rolling stop of others.

I'm an old fool that stops all the way, can't tell you how close I've come to getting run over.

Running red lights is not a huge problem over here, slaming on the brakes after acting like you are going to run a yellow is.

EDIT:
Hey that video/audio link nails it, except people have been speeding up once the yellow goes on and slaming on their brakes. Unearving even with safe distances between the cars.

[stevepaa]

Dan, I noticed that the drivers over near Bremerton did not speed nearly as much as the drivers by SEATAC. Maybe it is just the natural surroundings which are more peaceful over there.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Originally posted by austin552
Ever stoped at a red and had the guy behind you all PO'd? What's up with that???

Pulled up to a red with my right turn signal on... and stopped. The guy behind me didn't like that one bit. Some people don't get it...

YOU STILL HAVE TO STOP WHEN YOU MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON RED. Red means stop. PERIOD. It doesn't mean anything but STOP. Even if you're turning right, or if it's on a full moon, or if you just won the lottery... RED MEANS STOP.

So, I sat there and waited for the light to turn green.

[12own911]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
I get frustrated when I'm behind someone who is just sitting there at a red, waiting for the light to change to make their right turn.

Keep in mind that in Cali, some street signs state that you cannot turn on RED. If I see this sign, I sit until the light turns green. Does that offend you? It offends alot of people who are sitting behind me... bad people.