Monday, July 14, 2008

Right Turn Signal

We have a few intersections in Our Fair City where there are two sets of lights. One set, in the normal location, is the regular red, yellow, green combination with, perhaps, a left-turn green arrow included for the deserving. Not hard to figure out; grammar school education will suffice, maybe just a few driving lessons.

Off to the right, on the pole holding our “stop, go, go faster” signals, is another set under a sign stating: “Right Turn Signal.”

Seems simple enough to this set of gray-matter cells. Light’s red, you stop. Light turns (or is) green, you make the turn. Life could not get any easier.

Except around here it appears to be if the light is green, you make the turn; if it’s red, you glance to your left to make sure you don’t get someone’s radiator in your lap and then make the turn.

At intersections where you get “Right Turn Signal” plus “No Turn On Red,” it’s pretty much the same deal, although a few drivers will stop.

Red is red, till it means green. / When told to stop / It’s in-between. / We make our turn / like it’s no stop / still worried there might be a cop.

I’m waiting for someone to get nailed.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

We can turn right on reds here, in most places, except Montréal where it is not allowed. BUT, in order to be law abiding, you come to a red light, make a complete stop, then turn, you do not come to a reed light in second gear, analyze the traffic situation, i.e. density, speed and ETA of the nearest vehicule, then whizz off. Also we have No Turns on Red between May 1st. and October 31 at different places, because bikepaths cross this intersection.
We also have NO Turns between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM...

We also have cops...

Fine with me

CJV

July 16, 2008 7:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My "favorite" intersection is coming off the Market Street Bridge approaching Wilkes-Barre. Those turning right there will often have a green arrow. Typically, and by that I mean in MOST normal municipalities, this means you can turn right without too much worry. Except here. You get a green arrow, but you are turning into a roadway that could just have another car or two pretty much bearing down on you. As Tom says, you could end up with someone else's radiator shoved somewhere where the sun don't shine.

July 17, 2008 1:06 PM  

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