Quick One really....

[neil_cardiff]

Traffic Light cameras...

When pulling away, at what point can the authorities do you?

I pulled away sedatly on a late amber and the flash went off.

Any ideas?

[JMorgan]

I read somewhere that they have a human look at them to decide if you are taking the p!ss or not. I have seen them flash when a car went through just as it changed to amber, driver would not have seen the change so assume they take that into consideration?

[madcop]

My understanding of these is that the unit is not 'armed' until the light hits red. This switches the camera to live.
How did you pull away sedately from just an amber when you should have been preparing to stop?

Were you in fact an 'AMBER GAMBLER' or a 'GT STARTER'
( trades descrptions )

>> Edited by madcop on Thursday 20th June 00:13

[HarryW]

Probably sitting waiting for the 'parked cars' to clear the box junction ahead before moving off and the light started to change

H

[Bodo]

In my area, they have a 0.5 seconds delay (switching on from lights getting red).

[cpn]

Neil,
if you mean pulling away as the lights are changing from red to green, I have been flashed trying to get into the right lane of traffic... not quite a GT start, but enough for the flash to fire as I tried to cut over into the other lane. (I blame myself, for not being a local!). I never heard anything more on this, though.

Good luck.

[neil_cardiff]

I pulled away on the 'get ready, go' sequence on amber (late amber) as did the other guy next to me. I asked my flatmate and he reckons that it should be ok.

Did I read it right somewhere that the cameras are activated by pressure points in the ground, therefore if you have a long wheelbase car (ie Merc) you could fool the points?

[JSG]

quote:
Did I read it right somewhere that the cameras are activated by pressure points in the ground, therefore if you have a long wheelbase car (ie Merc) you could fool the points?

Totally buggered in a Smart then.

[neil_cardiff]

Spose so

Wonder what a stretch limo would do?

[apguy]

I pulled away on the 'get ready, go' sequence on amber (late amber) as did the other guy next to me. I asked my flatmate and he reckons that it should be ok.


Huh? Are you sure?

As far as I'm aware, only pedestrian crossing lights have a flashing amber when changing from red to green. All other conventional traffic lights go straight from red to green and miss amber.
I've also never seen a traffic light camera on a pedestrian crossing.

So, unfortunately, something in your story doesn't tie up.

[plotloss]

quote:
All other conventional traffic lights go straight from red to green and miss amber.

Eh?

Surely traffic lights go Red, Red and Amber, Green?



Matt.

[Neil Menzies]

quote:
As far as I'm aware, only pedestrian crossing lights have a flashing amber when changing from red to green. All other conventional traffic lights go straight from red to green and miss amber.

What country do you live in? Sure ain't the UK.
If it is, I hope I'm not on the roads when you're around

[neil_cardiff]

I was going say the same thing. I believe in the uk it goes Red; Red and Amber; and then Green.

To stop you it goes Green; Constant amber; Red.

[apguy]

Arse! That'll teach me to spout forth without checking.

I stand corrected, and apologise

I guess I was too preoccuppied with my thoughts for Oulton Park on Saturday where the start lights definately go straight from Red to Green

I'll go hide now.

[kevinday]

Some countries do have lights that go from red straight to green, always seemed a good idea to me.

[JohnL]

quote:
Some countries do have lights that go from red straight to green, always seemed a good idea to me.

Yeah, what's the red and amber actually for?

[plotloss]

America for a start.

They go Red, Green, Amber, Red IIRC

Matt.

[craigalsop]

quote:
Yeah, what's the red and amber actually for?

So that you can get your revs up for a good start

Craig

[Peritas]

In Ireland
They red green, green -> anmber -red

Me I personally perfer the UK system red -> amber -> green
Gives you a chance to engage first gear to prepare to move off.

In Ireland you end up holding the car on the clutch for ages before moving off, otherwise you look like a fool sitting there on green lights

[smeagol]

I agree with the red-amber bit especially as the numpties I've seen would take that long to get it into gear and pull off you'd only get one car through! I didn't think the mini had very good acceleration but the amount of times I've pulled off and checked in my mirrors to see numpties still at the lights!

Perhaps a sign saying "You'll be able to go in a minute, see that lever to the left, you can put it in 1st, check the diagram on top of the knob, if you're not sure, thats right. Ignore the nasty man behind you beeping his horn, remember speed kills"