  Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5497 Registered: 10-2003 |
I have recently noticed that some traffic lights in the area have changed formats. Sometimes when I make left turns I see a major change in order of the lights. Many intersections have left-turn blinking reds….these blinking reds usually then turn into a green turn arrow. I have now noticed some left lights that remain blinking red, then turn into a solid red…they never display a green arrow, even though there are three lights in the signal. Anyone notice this change or is the light just screwed up? I have seen this in Detroit and the burbs. | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 271 Registered: 10-2007 |
I've noticed a general lack of uniformity when it comes to these left turn lights. Some go before the green, others after the green, even in the same municipality. I crept thru one light on Groesbeck out of habit, totally thinking it to be the opposite of what it was, and nearly got creemed. Then I watched other people do the exact same thing. Others, as you've indicated, have a completely different light set up from one light to the next. Twelve and Southfield has one set up while Twelve and Evergreen has a completely different set up. Both are in Southfield. It's pretty damn confusing, if not dangerous. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 2000 Registered: 02-2006 |
Just throwing this out there, but isn't the timing irrelevant? Go when it's green, stop when it's not. Many lights don't have a set order, and they change state depending on what traffic is where. Protected left turns may never occur without traffic waiting to turn, or may occur in only one direction. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 3354 Registered: 04-2005 |
It makes it kind of dangerous when you're used to a certain light pattern, and you pull up to a light that rotates through a different pattern. You expect the green arrow to come on after the flashing red so you're out in the intersection waiting for the arrow, and the light turns red, then your ass is in the way of oncoming traffic. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1752 Registered: 12-2005 |
Michigan is one of only two states that uses the flashing red arrow for permitted left turns. However, the Federal Highway Administration has mandated that Michigan change to the new Federal standard for permitted left turns on a flashing yellow arrow:  [source] | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 3355 Registered: 04-2005 |
Thanks, Mike, that makes it easier to understand. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 1292 Registered: 01-2006 |
Be thankful we're not the west side of the state where they get the green arrow and THEN the blinking red. That is so ass backwards its crazy. | ||
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile Post Number: 192 Registered: 09-2005 |
Seems like light in the Oakland County areas work ass backwards from the normal ones. When you are in the left turn lane waiting, the first thing that happens is that the left turn arrow comes on, then the direct forward traffic light turn green and the left turn light turn red. No Blinking. In Wayne County the left turn light blinks red . at the same time as the forward traffic light being green. When the forward traffic light turns red, then the left turn arrow turns green, and then solid red. It is very confusing, and I have wondered why this is for a long time?? I am really glad that someone brought ir up. Another interesting thing I noticed while living in Houston back 20 years ago, is that the traffic lights are mostly installed horizontally. Not vertically , like here. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 2002 Registered: 02-2006 |
Since I no longer live in Michigan, I find myself longing for the flashing reds. Here in Illinois, some intersections have no "solid green, no arrow" or "flashing yellow" for left-turners. It's red or green arrow, regardless of oncoming traffic. So frustrating! | ||
Detroitgalaxian Member Username: Detroitgalaxian Post Number: 20 Registered: 06-2006 |
Can anyone explain this strange use of a red left arrow combined with a solid red ball? http://s126964394.onlinehome.u s/ryan_web_images/redarrow.htm l You can find this intersection on the east side of the Lodge service drive a block or two north of Grand Blvd. When the red arrow is lit, which does it mean?: "No left turn on red at this time" -or- "Left turn on red allowed at this time." I have not seen an intersection like this anywhere else. Has anyone seen this before? Am I crazy in thinking that this is poorly designed and completely unintuitive? | ||
Hudkina Member Username: Hudkina Post Number: 285 Registered: 12-2004 |
I believe that in Michigan you can turn left onto a one way street on red as long as the traffic is clear and there is no sign saying no left turn on red. My guess is when that red arrow is showing you cannot turn on red, but when it goes away you can turn on red. In fact looking at the video and an overhead of the intersection, it looks like the "no left turn" is in effect only when the right-turning traffic on the opposite side of the intersection has a green light. When the north-bound service drive traffic has a green light, it is okay to turn left on red once the traffic has cleared. (Message edited by hudkina on August 24, 2008) | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 2005 Registered: 02-2006 |
You can only make a left on red from one one-way street to another one-way street. You can't cross a lane of opposing traffic to make a left on red. | ||
Hudkina Member Username: Hudkina Post Number: 286 Registered: 12-2004 |
Actually you can, as long as the road you are turning onto is one-way. http://legislature.mi.gov/doc. aspx?mcl-257-612 look under section 1(c)(ii) "Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after stopping before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if there is no crosswalk or limit line, before entering the intersection, may make a right turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 2-way street or into a 1-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn or may make a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 1-way roadway carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn, unless prohibited by sign, signal, marking, light, or other traffic control device. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection." | ||
Swede1934 Member Username: Swede1934 Post Number: 58 Registered: 04-2007 |
BTW, have any of you driven north of the border to see another odd-ball signal. In Canada, the lights will go from red to a blinking green, which means you can make a left turn, as the opposing traffic still has a red. The lights then go to a solid green for traffic in both directions. This can be confusing. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 6178 Registered: 12-2005 |
Detroitgalaxian, I was surprised I wasn't able to find that situation covered in the "Signs, Pavement Markings, and Signals" chapter of What Every Driver Must Know. It's still worth bookmarking that webpage though. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6704 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: They are known as "advance" or "delayed" green. When it blinks green, it means that only you have the green. Similar to the arrow. They aren't very common, and are usually only found in rural areas or small towns. There is one is Windsor, for some reason, on Walker Rd @ Highway 3. | ||
Ndmom Member Username: Ndmom Post Number: 168 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think making things more 'complicated' for people isn't a good idea. At Moross and I-94 I see people every day who can't even read arrows. Arrows are painted on the road and there are signs but it just doesn't seem to matter. That arrow wasn't put there for 'them' to follow. |
