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Lost in Place
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In Buenos Aires they would go Red-Yellow-Green, rather than just Red to Green like the US.

But most people would floor it on the Yellow.

Then it would go from Green-Yellow-Red like in the USA. So you'd still see plenty of cars crossing through a few seconds into the red, just like some drivers here in the US.
 
Posts: 70 | Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: 09 June 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Holds PhD in Packing
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I've seen Red-Yellow-Green in other countries too. I always think in the US giving people warning that they're about to be allowed to go is risky -- Yellow would become Green. Besides, most people know how to watch the opposing light for when IT turns yellow as a cue for impending Green.

And yes, in Italy the lights, and stop signs, are merely suggestions.


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Posts: 188 | Location: Dobbs Ferry, NY USA | Registered: 27 March 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Began Gap Year Trip Six Years Ago
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In Mexico, there are signals, but even their editorials point out that no one ever follows them. It wondered why the government bothered putting them up at all.

Turkey? Driving there is an experience. For one thing, never stay on the left or right side of your lane. Fix yourself somewhere by the center line and move when another car comes.

Why?

Because if you don't, idiots will try and pass you with an oncoming car, hoping to make it before they get smashed to bits. You have to make sure they DONT pass you, and keep your territory claimed.
 
Posts: 2435 | Location: Philadelphia | Registered: 19 November 2004Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Extra Pages in Passport
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Because if you don't, idiots will try and pass you with an oncoming car, hoping to make it before they get smashed to bits. You have to make sure they DONT pass you, and keep your territory claimed.
Ah, bad drivers. In Greece, we noticed that whenever there was a shoulder, even a narrow one, the two lane highways magically became 4 lanes wide.
 
Posts: 2686 | Location: Edmonton, Canada | Registered: 20 August 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Street Food Connoisseur
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In Davao,Philippines....they turned their traffic lights off.

And the traffic just,flows.


Been there, done that, be back, do it again....
 
Posts: 624 | Location: Philipsburg, Montana | Registered: 11 May 2005Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Squat Toilet Professional
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Originally posted by Violet156:
When I was in Toronto some years ago, they had a huge XXX, three X's hanging across the street, at every block or so, when lit up it would mean stop. I dont know if they still have that, but that was interesting


It's possible that you're be thinking of Jarvis street, which has two signals hanging above each lane every 100m or so.

Jarvis is (five I think? Some odd number anyway) lanes wide, and so they use the middle lane for southbound (headed into town) traffic in the morning, and for northbound traffic in the afternoon. If the light above the lane shows a green arrow you can use it for the direction you're travelling, if it's a red X you can't.

They use a similar system on the Sydney Harbour bridge, and on a couple big bridges in southern Ontario as well.

I can imagine that being quite confusing to people not familiar with the idea.


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Posts: 849 | Location: Wellington, NZ | Registered: 25 November 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Squat Toilet Professional
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They also have this system on many of the inner Melbourne roadways but there only three lanes wide. The middle lane is inbound in the morning and outbound in the afternoon. We call them 'suicide lanes' Eek.

We don't get warned when traffic lights change to Green its just a nice surprise when it appears.

And wasn't there a province in the Netherlands that decided to forgo road rules altogether because they believed that it would force drivers to be more aware on the roads and consequently make the roads safer. How did that work out for them?

I have a feeling this theory has been adopted in China because those pretty drawings on the roads and the pretty lights in the sky sure aren't directing traffic...Though they do pay attention to the ladies with the whistles.



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Posts: 821 | Location: Australia | Registered: 03 August 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Street Food Connoisseur
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I've also noticed that left turn arrows (when used) don't work the same everywhere. Some places, the light goes from red to green plus green arrow, some places just green comes first and then the arrow comes on and SOME places you get green, then red with a green arrow, which just boggles my little mind. Smile

La


"I’ve always loved travel – it broadens the perspective and stimulates the mind."

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Posts: 530 | Location: Hell. Or is it Texas? | Registered: 13 November 2005Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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