Traffic Lights

[laserblazer]

What do you do?

[6Foot2]

Slow down in case they change: Only sensible option. Perhaps in some situations you could speed up to get past before the change but it doesn't gain you much.

 

Better to get there in one piece.

[clareq]

It depends - if I see them turn green when I am relatively close to them I continue at my current speed. I also watch the other lights of the junction, or the pedestrian lights, they will often give a clue as to how close to changing my lights are.

[Sunnyknight]

HUURRRRYYYYYY lol

[synaesthesia]

If I know the junction then it's likely I know how long it will be until they change, in which case speed can be adjusted as necessary (local limits allowing of course). If not, then continue at usual pace until I get close enough to make such a call. Enough to take foot off accelerator and cover the brake.

[free780]

See if there's a bmw/white van nearby if not put foot down.

[webman]

Again, it depends. Mainly on three factors - how long they've been on green (if known), how far I am from approaching them, and the layout (direction of approach & exit).

 

If I have a good chance of getting through them safely in time before them changing, I will maintain or increase speed when possible.

If it's unlikely I'll get through this time, I'll maintain or lower my speed so that when they do turn green, it's an efficient process. Essentially, the goal here is to try and keep moving but without coming to a complete stop.

 

To me, it's not a black and white situation of either just speeding up or slowing down - all other things that you need to consider when driving (weather conditions, visibility, driver skill, vehicle conditions, other road users and so on), also need to be accounted for.

[twin--turbo]

Maintain a steady speed until conditions dictate otherwise.

 

Rob

[Fleetwood]

If only there was an option for "It depends on what mood I'm in."

 

In all seriousness it depends on varying factors. If it's bad weather (rain, snow, ice etc.) and/or if there's a car in front of me at a close distance - I'll slow down. If it's a hot summer's day or 'neutral' weather and/or if there isn't a car in front of me within close distance - I'll maintain speed towards the lights. I've never 'sped up' towards lights, only accelerated if I've not been able to brake and need to carry on across. I only put my brakes on to ensure I stop if it's safe for me to do so - no point slamming the brakes on when they turn amber if you've already arrived at the line or if the car behind isn't at a clear enough distance - you have to take consideration of their reaction to your action. There's a perfectly reasonable delay between the lights on one side going red to the other side turning Red-Amber anyway.

[Gatt]

I agree with @twin--turbo

 

Continue at your current speed, but be prepared to stop should the lights or other conditions warrant it.

At no point should you deliberately speed up to get through the lights..

[Techie-v2]

What do I do at the lights,

 

Use common sense,

 

Something some other road users seem to have miss-placed

[Martin]

Maintain a steady speed until conditions dictate otherwise.

 

Rob

 

Exactly!

 

Traffic lights should be configured to display a sufficient amount of "amber" depending on the speed limit - so faster roads will have more time between green and red. Thus you should be able to safely (and legally) pass through lights should they begin to turn to red.

 

If they don't, then the local authority aren't doing their job properly (perish the thought ).

 

mb

[witch]

When I left earlier, it was 50% each way and now the sensible "slow-downers" have it. A triumph of sensible driving over boy racers!

[twin--turbo]

When I left earlier, it was 50% each way and now the sensible "slow-downers" have it. A triumph of sensible driving over boy racers!

 

The vote is flawed as it does not have the option to maintain a steady speed.

[ZeroHour]

Maintain a steady speed until conditions dictate otherwise.

 

Rob

 

+1 mostly, if I see people waiting or I think its likely they will change to amber I will hove my foot over the brake ready to slow down if needed. A friend of mine told me when going round blind bend etc (or where you think you will need to stop quickly) you should hover your foot over the brake ready as it can reduce braking distance by a bit. I am from the country where single track roads are common and I certainly think it helps.

[gaz350b]

be prepared to slow down you never know what plonkers are going to try and skip a red light (especially if its a junction)

 

as with any junction or road change you should be prepared to slow down not just at traffic lights! we also need a at what point do you use your headlights poll as i cant believe the numbers of people around my area forgetting to turn them on at 4.30pm!

[Fleetwood]

be prepared to slow down you never know what plonkers are going to try and skip a red light (especially if its a junction)

 

as with any junction or road change you should be prepared to slow down not just at traffic lights! we also need a at what point do you use your headlights poll as i cant believe the numbers of people around my area forgetting to turn them on at 4.30pm!

 

Let's top that with a "Are you that much of a tw@ that you put your fog lights on for NO F*&%!ING REASON?!" poll..

[witch]

be prepared to slow down you never know what plonkers are going to try and skip a red light (especially if its a junction)

 

as with any junction or road change you should be prepared to slow down not just at traffic lights! we also need a at what point do you use your headlights poll as i cant believe the numbers of people around my area forgetting to turn them on at 4.30pm!

My car has running lights anyway and the headlights come on automatically - which is fine until I am driving mrwITch's car which doesn't have the automatic function - then I become one of the idiots who forgets to turn my lights on at 4.30pm

[twin--turbo]

No DRL's but do have Auto Lights..

 

My car being Auto and the wifes being Manual is enough to remind me which one I am in...

[laserblazer]

Let's top that with a "Are you that much of a tw@ that you put your fog lights on for NO F*&%!ING REASON?!" poll..

 

Do you mean the red ones at the back? God I hate it, especially when it's wet and it produces a glare. The front ones don't worry me and don't see why it's an offence to have them on when it's not foggy.

 

Going to school the other day, a cyclist was behind me and even 400m away, his front light dazzled.

Edited November 17, 2013 by laserblazer

[GrumbleDook]

Traffic lights are a Hazard, and you always approach a Hazard with caution. Generally this means proceed at a constant speed if it is safe to do so, whilst considering all other Hazards (weather conditions, is it a crossing point, etc).

 

There will be times when you have to speed up (within the constraints of the legal speed limits) once you are committed to passing through the lights, eg if they start to turn amber and it is unsafe to slow down to a clear stop before passing the stopping line.

 

It is considered safe practice to slow down when approaching a Hazard, to allow you sufficient time to assess it. When you slow down you become a Hazard yourself and must also take this into account.

 

See ... driving is an example that blokes *can* multi-task!

[Elison]

In my city the most of our trafficlights have numbers with countdown (hope I used this word correctly), so when you are near the crossroad you always can see the amount of time before the lights' chaning. it really helps make right decisions.

If there are no lnumbers on trafficlight, I ALAWAYS slow down. You can never know what other drivers can do, what is there in their minds. so it's better to get ready.

[localzuk]

As a pedestrian who continually has to step back at lights here because of drivers who either think the red light doesn't apply, or they're simply not paying attention, I would like to say thank you to those of you paying attention and slowing down.

 

I see so many drivers who seem to think the amber light is a challenge!

 

Almost got hit by a range rover a few months ago - half way across the road, comes roaring through with a rather 'glam' looking older woman at the wheel, completely oblivious to the world around her. Did get hit when I lived in Lancaster, by a woman who was fiddling with lipstick when I was half way across the road. And a taxi driver who looked infuriated that I existed...

 

It isn't like I just dive into the road as soon as the lights change either. I always check both directions to make sure its safe, so some of these drivers are travelling far too fast for the location.

[Gatt]

Do you mean the red ones at the back? God I hate it, especially when it's wet and it produces a glare. The front ones don't worry me and don't see why it's an offence to have them on when it's not foggy.

 

Going to school the other day, a cyclist was behind me and even 400m away, his front light dazzled.

 

 

• Fog Lamps when not need
  
• Sitting on your brake lights instead of applying the handbrake and taking the car out of gear
  
• These stupid sodding DLR/Front Fog/Spotlamps that sit on the front bumper...
  

 

The above 3 things REALLY annoy me!

 

IMHO DLR = Lazy! Just remember to put your sodding headlights on - it's not friggin' difficult (hint: if you dashboard / radio / ancillary controls are dark - your headlights aren't on! )

They blind / dazzle me when they approach with them on (even more so when they also have their headlights on FULL BEAM too ).

From behind (this mainly applies to the tailgating sub-species) and they have these on but NOT their headlamps, I cant alwasy see said moron eejit due to the location of these things and the lack of headlamps.

 

Rear fog lamps & "Sticky Brake Lamp Syndrome" are another cause of dazzling - especially when its dawn/dusk..

[Andrew_C]

• Fog Lamps when not need
  
• Sitting on your brake lights instead of applying the handbrake and taking the car out of gear
  
• These stupid sodding DLR/Front Fog/Spotlamps that sit on the front bumper...
  

 

The above 3 things REALLY annoy me!

 

IMHO DLR = Lazy!

I don't know where this has come from (USA?) but ALL cars are now being fitted with them. They are NOT an alternative to headlights. They also serve to conceal cyclists rather well. As a biker, cyclist and car driver, I am perhaps unusually aware of the more "at risk" road users, yet I very nearly got a cyclist a while back. He has a proper bright LED lamp at the front, but was very well camouflaged by the DLRs on the Range Rover behind him.

 

Rear fog lamps & "Sticky Brake Lamp Syndrome" are another cause of dazzling - especially when its dawn/dusk..

Manufacturers instruction for auto-boxed cars "hold the car on the foot brake".

 

But AMEN to Fog Lights; mine switch off with the engine, and need to be re-selected when turning back on, why not all of them?