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Drivers will see red arrows on left turns

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Drivers will see red arrows on left turns
M

MontyBrunswick

May 8, 2012 2:29 PM
State of Ohio is going to start updating stoplights to comply with federal-mandated rules. Turn-lanes will see red arrows as opposed to solid-reds.


http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/05/08/drivers-will-see-red-arrows-on-left-turns.html



Saw this in Kentucky, it was disorienting at first but it was obvious to see that I wasn't supposed to turn. Also, red means stop.

What say you?

Also, the comments on that article are stupid. I like this one the most:
Guess what this is what happens when the atheist take over the public school system. We all get dumb like they are.
He forgot the article had nothing to do with the school system nor religion.
May 8, 2012 2:29pm
Glory Days's avatar

Glory Days

Senior Member

7,809 posts
May 8, 2012 2:43 PM
so we'll see if this actually makes a difference. there are a lot of stupid people out there driving.
May 8, 2012 2:43pm
M

MontyBrunswick

May 8, 2012 2:44 PM
You'd think it'd be common sense, but I've seen some of the drivers here in Columbus and have no faith that they'll be able to figure things out.
May 8, 2012 2:44pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 8, 2012 2:44 PM
Sounds like the federal government is mandating that local govts spend a ton of money to update their shit with really no benefit. I've never once been confused trying to turn left because I'm not an idiot.

This sounds a lot like the federal govt mandating that all road signs have to be in all caps (or that signs can't be in all caps) not too long ago.

"Hey guys, we know you're all broke but you need to spend this money on shit that doesn't matter because fuck you."
May 8, 2012 2:44pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
May 8, 2012 2:46 PM
This is why I don't vote.
May 8, 2012 2:46pm
Big_Mirg_ZHS's avatar

Big_Mirg_ZHS

Recovering Pothead

2,079 posts
May 8, 2012 2:57 PM
justincredible;1165353 wrote:Sounds like the federal government is mandating that local govts spend a ton of money to update their shit with really no benefit. I've never once been confused trying to turn left because I'm not an idiot.

This sounds a lot like the federal govt mandating that all road signs have to be in all caps (or that signs can't be in all caps) not too long ago.

"Hey guys, we know you're all broke but you need to spend this money on shit that doesn't matter because fuck you."
What about all the historic street signs that are non reflective that have to be replaced when the damn things arent functional really more ornamental.
May 8, 2012 2:57pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
May 8, 2012 2:58 PM
justincredible;1165353 wrote:Sounds like the federal government is mandating that local govts spend a ton of money to update their shit with really no benefit. I've never once been confused trying to turn left because I'm not an idiot.

This sounds a lot like the federal govt mandating that all road signs have to be in all caps (or that signs can't be in all caps) not too long ago.

"Hey guys, we know you're all broke but you need to spend this money on shit that doesn't matter because fuck you."
Yep. Who is actually confused by a solid red light? :confused:
May 8, 2012 2:58pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
May 8, 2012 3:03 PM
I've got to be honest with you, a red arrow in a turn lane I would take to mean you can turn left with caution/yield (otherwise why have the arrow instead of the normal red light?). In a lane that can turn or go straight, I don't see the purpose vs. the normal red light.

Or I guess as the last post above said, "who is confused by a solid red light?". Although I will say that it would be helpful at times approaching an intersection because sometimes it's not clear which is the turn lane until too late (mainly due to poor or worn lane markings).
May 8, 2012 3:03pm
Q

queencitybuckeye

Senior Member

7,117 posts
May 8, 2012 3:08 PM
Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.
May 8, 2012 3:08pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
May 8, 2012 3:09 PM
queencitybuckeye;1165371 wrote:Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.
Or a solution in search of more govt spending and job creation.
May 8, 2012 3:09pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
May 8, 2012 3:14 PM
lol real cities have this already
May 8, 2012 3:14pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
May 8, 2012 3:16 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1165376 wrote:lol real cities have this already
Maybe the ones that have the money to waste. Lots of city/state budgets are underwater, but I'm sure this regulation comes with the typical carrot/stick federal mandate.
May 8, 2012 3:16pm
4cards's avatar

4cards

Ohio Chatter Legend

2,551 posts
May 8, 2012 3:19 PM
WebFire;1165364 wrote:Yep. Who is actually confused by a solid red light? :confused:
...every fucking bluehair on the road will be confused by this.
May 8, 2012 3:19pm
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
May 8, 2012 3:54 PM
The thing that NEEDS to be done is turning all (or most) stop lights into four-way stops or two-way stops (with flashers) in many smaller towns and cities from the hours of 11pm-6am.

It was so nice to drive through a town of 15,000 and not have to wait at EVERY stoplight at midnight. It's so dumb. Keep a few as stoplights. Change the rest to four-ways or two-ways. Let traffic flow in these small towns instead of waiting for no one to come around. I wish I knew a way to make this happen sooner than it ever would (or won't).
May 8, 2012 3:54pm
Glory Days's avatar

Glory Days

Senior Member

7,809 posts
May 8, 2012 3:54 PM
gut;1165366 wrote:Or I guess as the last post above said, "who is confused by a solid red light?". Although I will say that it would be helpful at times approaching an intersection because sometimes it's not clear which is the turn lane until too late (mainly due to poor or worn lane markings).
I think this would be a good reason (although i dont know how many times it would apply). there are a few intersections i know where there are 3 lights above 3 lanes, but they arent aligned right above the exact lanes.
May 8, 2012 3:54pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
May 8, 2012 4:00 PM
I blame Obama.
May 8, 2012 4:00pm
B

bigkahuna

Senior Member

4,454 posts
May 8, 2012 8:29 PM
gut;1165366 wrote:I've got to be honest with you, a red arrow in a turn lane I would take to mean you can turn left with caution/yield (otherwise why have the arrow instead of the normal red light?). In a lane that can turn or go straight, I don't see the purpose vs. the normal red light.

Or I guess as the last post above said, "who is confused by a solid red light?". Although I will say that it would be helpful at times approaching an intersection because sometimes it's not clear which is the turn lane until too late (mainly due to poor or worn lane markings).
Up here in Michigan, a lot of turn lanes have the green arrow, yellow caution, and along with the red light, a flashing red light that means what you stated in bold.

After I moved up here, I didn't know what the hell to do the first few times I saw the flashing red light in the turn lane. Luckily, my wife is born and raised in Michigan, so she was able to fill me in about it, and those damn Michigan Lefts.
May 8, 2012 8:29pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 8, 2012 8:43 PM
bigkahuna;1165605 wrote: After I moved up here, I didn't know what the hell to do the first few times I saw the flashing red light in the turn lane. Luckily, my wife is born and raised in Michigan, so she was able to fill me in about it, and those damn Michigan Lefts.
I would've assumed the same thing you do at a flashing red light at any intersection. Treat it like a stop sign.
May 8, 2012 8:43pm
2kool4skool's avatar

2kool4skool

Senior Member

1,804 posts
May 8, 2012 9:28 PM
May 8, 2012 9:28pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
May 8, 2012 9:31 PM
I saw these on US 17 the last time I was visiting relatives down in NC. They are helpful, but they aren't completely necessary (considering they were flashing yellow arrows damn near 24/7)

May 8, 2012 9:31pm
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

Senior Member

1,155 posts
May 8, 2012 9:54 PM
dlazz;1165352 wrote:You'd think it'd be common sense, but I've seen some of the drivers here in Columbus and have no faith that they'll be able to figure things out.
The problem is when there's a left turn lane where the turn lane gets a protected green arrow at the start of the sequence, and then the turn gets removed while the thru traffic continues to get green. A solid red light above the turn lane conflicts with the two solid greens for the thru traffic. This switch to a red arrow makes no mistake as to whether you can turn or not and whether the thru traffic can go or not.

There's also the flashing yellow arrow, which is the situation where a left is allowed despite not having a green arrow, but to notify the turner that opposing traffic is unobstructed.
May 8, 2012 9:54pm
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

Senior Member

1,155 posts
May 8, 2012 9:57 PM
OSH;1165411 wrote:The thing that NEEDS to be done is turning all (or most) stop lights into four-way stops or two-way stops (with flashers) in many smaller towns and cities from the hours of 11pm-6am.

It was so nice to drive through a town of 15,000 and not have to wait at EVERY stoplight at midnight. It's so dumb. Keep a few as stoplights. Change the rest to four-ways or two-ways. Let traffic flow in these small towns instead of waiting for no one to come around. I wish I knew a way to make this happen sooner than it ever would (or won't).

Plus, with the switchover to mostly LEDs, the flashing light saves electricity and there's no bulb to wear out from the constant cycling.
May 8, 2012 9:57pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
May 8, 2012 11:09 PM
Sykotyk;1165753 wrote:The problem is when there's a left turn lane where the turn lane gets a protected green arrow at the start of the sequence, and then the turn gets removed while the thru traffic continues to get green. A solid red light above the turn lane conflicts with the two solid greens for the thru traffic. This switch to a red arrow makes no mistake as to whether you can turn or not and whether the thru traffic can go or not.

There's also the flashing yellow arrow, which is the situation where a left is allowed despite not having a green arrow, but to notify the turner that opposing traffic is unobstructed.
A red light conflicts with a green light?

"The light in my lane is red. I'm not sure if I can turn or I should stop! Red means stop. Green means go. Ummmm....ummmm....arrrrrrgh!"

May 8, 2012 11:09pm
SportsAndLady's avatar

SportsAndLady

Senior Member

35,632 posts
May 8, 2012 11:22 PM
I actually enjoyed the "no left turns" rules in New Jersey

One of the few things I liked about that place..don't pump your own gas is another good one

Eh, Jersey wasn't that bad I guess
May 8, 2012 11:22pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
May 8, 2012 11:26 PM
Sykotyk;1165753 wrote:The problem is when there's a left turn lane where the turn lane gets a protected green arrow at the start of the sequence, and then the turn gets removed while the thru traffic continues to get green. A solid red light above the turn lane conflicts with the two solid greens for the thru traffic. This switch to a red arrow makes no mistake as to whether you can turn or not and whether the thru traffic can go or not.

I think the turn arrow cycles to flashing yellow when both directions have green lights. Then, it goes solid yellow, red along with the rest of the lights when it cycles.
May 8, 2012 11:26pm