• Mannivu@feddit.it
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    6 months ago

    I’m from Italy and the first time we had a family vacation in the US we were honked a lot because we would stop at red lights. Only after 3 days we discovered that there’s the “turn-on-red” rule and we were confused: if it’s red, why can you turn?

    In Italy (but I guess in all Europe works like this) we have a different approach on these situations: if the driver is at a traffic light and can make a turn, but it could be unsafe, the light turns into a blinking yellow light, so that the driver know that it must check well before going on.

    • omgarm@feddit.nl
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      6 months ago

      In the Netherlands it’s pretty simple: if the cars have a red light bikes and/or pedestrians have a green light. Turning right on red would be insanely dangerous.

      It’s a good thing we have roundabouts whenever possible.

    • Itsamelemmy@lemmy.zip
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      6 months ago

      US has the blinking yellow as well, but usually only in the left turn lane. Which just means yield to oncoming, go if it’s safe.

    • TheWoozy@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      I remember when right on red was first implemented. The purpose was to save on fuel during the energy crisis back in the 70s/80s. It’s saves some huge amount of green house gasses. A lot of localities spent a fortune on “no right on red” signs.

      Theoretically, right on red is a good thing, but theoretically, everybody follows the rules and nobody makes mistakes.

    • MicrowavedTea@infosec.pub
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      6 months ago

      Does the blinking yellow light allow drivers to turn onto pedestrians crossing with a green pedestrian light? Cause here that’s the only way you can turn in many intersections and that’s not exactly safer. You shouldn’t put this responsibility on the drivers at all.

      • Benj1B@sh.itjust.works
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        6 months ago

        In Australia, “blinking yelloe” means “drive with caution” - roadway may be used bey pedestrians, slower traffic may have merged to faster, the traffic lights normal function might be impeded. Just basically a catch all for “be careful”.

        Having acid that it’s very rare that you’d find a blinking yellow on a turn across pedestrians - you’d get green arrow or light, pedestrians get green walk, and driver waits for pedestrians. It’s not rocket science. You don’t turn on red though.

        Then again we still have thrse fellas so maybe dont listen to us : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_turn