Conference terri::cars_uk

I don't quite agree with -1.  If you want to turn right, and there is a right
hand arrow showing green (ie a filter) that means you can turn right without
having to cope with oncoming traffic.  If, however, the ordinary round green
light is showing, then assume the oncoming traffic has a green light too.

I find the biggest problem with filter lights is that the filter often isn't
very visible.  Consider the situation below, where I'm in a car denoted by ^,
waiting at the lights to turn left.  The sets of lights applicable to me are *.
The * to my left is out of sight as I'm pulled up to the stop line, but that
doesn't matter (i think, as do most other motorists) as I can clearly see the
set opposite.  Unfortunately, the set opposite doesn't have a left-turn filter
arrow, whereas the one I can't see does.  So I end up with lots of angry drivers
demonstrating that they know how to operate a car horn.

Surely the set of lights opposite should also be equipped with a filter arrow?

       |   |   |
       |   |   |
_______|   *   |________



_______         ________
       *^  |   |
       |   |   |
       |   |   |

Scott.

No, even Dougie Shit for Brains Nisbet can figure out that a green arrow
indicates that there is a filter in operation! The situations I'm talking
about are when there is a definite filter in operation, but nothing to tell
you this apart from the non-movement of the cars opposite.

Dougie

One of the better things about driving in the US is that if you come to a red
light and want to turn right then, unless the sign above is posted and provided
you first come to a complete stop, it is permissible (in most states) to turn
right through the red light.

Just wait until you want to go straight on and find yourself blocking the people
who want to turn right ..... 8^}

Agree with the stupid placing of the filter lights in this country, but there
are always a few people behind willing to give you an audible warning that the
light is in your favour!

			Brian

Re. -2

I think you're suggesting a junction where oncoming traffic has a red light,
and you have a green light but no filter arrow.  So you can safely turn right
but there is nothing to tell you this.

Is this what you mean?  I must confess to never having seen a junction where
this is the case.  The closest I've seen is a junction like:

   |    |    |
   |    |    |
   |    |    |_______
   |
   |
   |
   |          _______
   |  |^|    |
   |  | |    |
   |    |    |

I am ^, as before, and waiting to turn right.  I am in a separate lane, clearly
marked "right turn only".  The light in front of my lane stays red while other
cars to my left can proceed straight ahead and oncoming traffic can go ahead or
turn left.  All other lights turn red before mine turn green.  This is an
ordinary round green light, not a filter arrow, but it is pretty obvious what
is going on.

I would be interested to see a junction of the sort I think you are referring
to.  Where is there one and I'll drive there one day...

Scott

PS I wasn't suggesting you or anyone else didn't know what filter arrows are!

I've always liked the car-level lights provided by the French.  However, I'd
prefer them to have an amber "get ready" light as well.

Also, some French lights have little lenses on the back, so that drivers can see
the colour of ALL the lights at a junction.

Scott

    
    Re: .5
    
    What is the point of having amber between red and green, when they just
    get "jumped" anyway ?
    
    Personally, I think, for once, the French have got it right :-)

    
    Another feature I'd like to see introduced is the switch to continuous 
    flashing amber traffic lights at night, i.e. open junction, but take
    care...
    
    It has always seemed pointless to me, to have to sit at a red light for
    3-5 minutes with not another car within 5 miles in the early hours of
    the morning...

    What about the left filter on the lights by the Penta garage on the
    A33? To the best of my knowledge the filter lights have never been
    used. They are probably not connected up. I have sat in a queue behind
    a driver who would not go with the ordinary green light (no red light
    on) ! He was most upset when people started using their horns and
    pointed at the lights as if to say 'I can't go until the filter light
    comes on'.
    
    Andrew

Dougie Shit for Brains Nisbet sounds like a public school type to me.

Basingstoke Town Centre; Drive South up New Street.

The right turn onto Winchester Rd doesn't have a green arrow, but there is
a filter in operation.This is based on shrewd observation of cars not
moving opposite.

Dougie "Isn't it about time I came up with a naff personal name instead of
faffing about with pretentious double-barreled names" Nisbet