This grumpy old woman is glad to be alive!

[busyglen]

Excuse a grumpy old women lads but I am livid, although glad that I am still here to write this.

What is it about red traffic lights, that people don't like? Yes I know, we are all in hurry blah, blah, blah!!

We have a particularly nasty cross-roads that I have to cross in order to get home. One of these roads has a blind spot, in that a Public House stands on the corner, blocking the view for traffic turning right. To avoid accidents, preference is given to the road coming down off the hill opposite, before the traffic on the right can move, thus nothing can shoot across without being seen. Having just got off a bus I made my way to the pub corner, and stood by the traffic lights, which exclude my view of the road on my left. I waited for the lights to give the advantage to the traffic from the road opposite (which is a quick change as not a major road) as it is then possible to cross at this point as most traffic turns right or goes across. I started to move to the middle of the road, as it is normally safe to do so, but the car opposite indicated to turn left in front of me, so I stepped back to let it pass. As I did so a van, shot round the corner on the red light, almost hitting the car turning
in front of me. Luckily they managed to brake, and the van shot through, but I thank my lucky stars that if that car hadn't wanted to turn in front of me, I would not be here today, as I should have been almost onto the pavement the other side, and would have been hit. I guess my guardian |angel| was looking after me today.

Glenys (still shaking with rage as well as shock!!)

[Wirral]

You poor thing!|hug| 10 years ago you only saw cars going through red lights on the telly. Now a large section of the population appear to be colour-blind & routinely go through on red. |scold| And as for the colour amber...

[busyglen]

You poor thing!|hug| 10 years ago you only saw cars going through red lights on the telly. Now a large section of the population appear to be colour-blind & routinely go through on red. |scold| And as for the colour amber...

Thanks for the hug. :) I guess three lights are no longer enough....or should it be every person for themselves? I must say, a short while ago, these same lights failed for half a day, and everything worked like clockwork, as people gave way, and proceeded with caution. Oh well....that's life I guess.

Glenys

[Neil Wilson]

The lights near me need cameras on them, I think there is only one approach that no-one go through on red. The other 3 would make a package. Saw one this morning go through after someone else had stopped at the lights, the wheels were screeching as the car went round the corner and the traffic on the other roads was already moving.
Why are some drivers always in a hurry?
BTW Wirrel - those who are colour blind can tell which one is lit by the blightness of the lamp, only know because I asked someone once, but know what you mean.

[MarkJ]

Blimey Glenys! Glad you are OK - Have a little drink to help recover!

Mark

[Mutley]

Poor Glenys, http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Yardy1/smiley_437.gif
I know how you feel, living in Portugal you take your life in your hands every day on the roads. We have no second generation drivers, they have only just got a highway code!
They sit on your backside and overtake on a blind bend. They rarely signal and if they do it is the opposite to the way they are going.
Traffic Lights!! http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/themarbleintheoatmeal/smilies/trafficlight.gif
they just ignore them. We asked a Portuguese friend why they go through on red and he said "If no one is coming, why wait" but most of the time they cannot see who is coming.
It's Scary http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/BJ_BOBBI_JO/smileys%20and%20stick%20ppl%20PART%202/thscared.gif

Love Mutley

[ChristineR]

|hug|

Christine

[BeeE586]

Glad you survived Glenys, but it must have been a shock..... |hug|

Speaking as someone who drives everywhere and has done since 1964, driving manners have deteriorated to an unbelievable extent, mostly down to impatience as you say. I live very near a Park and Ride for the Sheffield tram, and crossings are controlled by lights. I have seen cars ignore red lights and actually shoot across in front of the tram - foolish, foolish, as not all the drivers have survived.

Eileen

[Rove]

Hi Glenys

Good to know your'e in one piece
But remember, if you are a driver or a pedestrian you never never count the near misses.

Of course a drink wipes off the memory faster.

[AnnB]

Hello Glenys

So glad you are OK. We have a set of traffic lights which are similar to the ones you describe, so I know how dangerous they can be. Bad driving seems to be on the increase - and I don't drive, so I'm just speaking as an observer!

Anyway, it's not your time yet - you've got all those Jones's to sort out ;)

|hug|
Ann

[busyglen]

Thank you everyone for your kind remarks and hugs....gave me a warm feeling, I can tell you. :)

I DID have a tipple last night, and must say that I am feeling much better today, and ready to attack anything that is thrown my way today.....(says she ducking! :D ) I shall definately cross on the other corner in future as that has a clear view.

It's not the first time that I have been `caught' on that corner, and am very careful, but it is the first time I have encountered a car coming round that bend on red. Most wait, as they don't know what is the other side.

Again, thanks for cheering me up, I am now back to my normal (abnormal?) self.

Glenys

[Mike_E]

Hi,

Glad you were able to walk away without a scratch. My other half wasn't so lucky. Driving to work she crossed a light on green only to be side swiped by another lady driver who had jumped a red light. Both cars a total write off, and my other half spent the day in Hospital being scanned and x-rayed. Got her home that night, very shaken but thankfully only bruised. Lucky her car had side impact protection and those air bags which caused most of the bruising. Took her a full year to get any confidence in driving again. 3 years on and she still is nervous about green lights, and takes time to look twice before crossing. Why is it people can't slow down on the approach to a light? I remeber from my lessons, it was drummed into me about being aware that the light couold change, and one should adjust speen and be prpared to stop quickly if required, I guess, and I see it every day, every one is in an allfire hurry to kill themselves and anyone who happens to be in their way.....Ahhh!

Anyway, glad you're OK.

Rgds
Mike

[BeeE586]

May I tell you my sister's red Porsche story ?

She was driving along a twisty country lane in poor light, tailgated by a young man in a red Porsche who continually hooted at her. Said car was closely followed by two other cars also driven by young men who eventually joined the orchestra. When she pulled into the first gateway she came to, to allow them to overtake, all three went past, grinning like maniacs, hooting loudly and giving the traditional one finger salute.

She set off and about two miles further on, round a very sharp bend she passed Porsche in the hedge, the other two cars parked on the verge and three very shaken young men. She resisted the urge to return the salute (we were very nicely brought up), smiled sweetly and waved as she drove by.

I must add that she would not be driving slowly, she always goes too fast for my liking.

Eileen

[busyglen]

Thanks Mike! I can just imagine what it must have been like for your other half, although I don't drive. I'm glad that she wasn't too badly injured, but I can understand how nervous she must have been getting back in the driving seat again. Various reasons including monetary, stopped me from taking driving up, and by the time I thought about it again, I decided that it wasn't for me. I had confidence enough, and used to drive my dad's lorry, which was on private ground, when I was 15, and occasionally my brother's old Ford. (Took ages working out how to `double de-clutch')

It seems to me that some people no longer care who or what they hurt, providing they can get where they want, in the quickest time. Some of them learn the hard way, but take innocent people with them, which isn't fair!

[Mike_E]

May I tell you my sister's red Porsche story ?


Shame it was only the one car in the ditch, would have been much better if all three were in there on top of each other. It's idiots like those who become additions in the "Darwin Awards" when they successfully remove themselves from the gene pool, heres hoping!

Mike

[Neil Wilson]

Talk about red light cameras, I noticed one working the other evening, at least 2 cars went through on red. The first flash confused me, it was only on the second flash that I realised it was the camera facing me.

Technically, if the light change to amber, you should have enough time to stop before the red light if you are travelling at the speed limit. But if you haven't time to stop, you should be clear of the junction before it goes red.

I found a road that if you go through the lights on green at 29 mph, you can go through the whole series of lights on green.

[busyglen]

Technically, if the light change to amber, you should have enough time to stop before the red light if you are travelling at the speed limit. But if you haven't time to stop, you should be clear of the junction before it goes red.

I found a road that if you go through the lights on green at 29 mph, you can go through the whole series of lights on green.

Trouble is Neil, hardly anyone observes the amber these days. They put their foot down on amber...not slow down, so are usually going over on red at speed. Plus, they usually have another car following.

I was on a bus the other day at this same crossroads, only traffic was coming from the other direction. The bus couldn't pull away on green for several seconds, as 4 cars came over in front of it, all on red!!

Just like the use of mobile phones in cars, their use is ignored whilst moving, in the same way that drivers ignore whatever colour the lights are.

Actually, I had better add a quick note, that not ALL people are so thoughtless, there are a number of good careful drivers, and courteous with it as my husband would confirm.

Glenys

[BeeE586]

there are a number of good careful drivers, and courteous with it as my husband would confirm.

Glenys

True Glenys. As so often happens these days it is the thoughtless few that give a bad impression. We must all know any number of younger drivers who are careful, courteos and law abiding, but usually it is the older drivers who exhibit these qualities as perhaps your husband would agree. We may wait a few seconds longer at lights or a junction to be absolutely certain it is safe to move, we drive within the speed limit and sober at all times but we do get safely to where we are going.

Eileen

[Neil Wilson]

Actually, I had better add a quick note, that not ALL people are so thoughtless, there are a number of good careful drivers, and courteous with it as my husband would confirm.

GlenysGGlenys
You can count me in on the careful courteous driver. I have hand-free mobile phone, stop at red lights (and pray that the person behind can stop), for those crossing the road etc.
There is only one thing that get my back up, that is the person who drives at 30 in a 40 limit then 20 in the 30 limit and so on, Sunday drivers as my dad called them.

[arthurk]

There is only one thing that get my back up, that is the person who drives at 30 in a 40 limit then 20 in the 30 limit and so on, Sunday drivers as my dad called them.
But they're not doing anything wrong - there's no law against driving below the speed limit, and if they feel safest driving at 10mph below, you're not going to make the road any safer by harassing them to go faster. Unless you want road rage all round, you just have to be patient and wait for a spot where it's safe to overtake. (Couldn't find a smilie for stirring so you'll have to make do with ;) - and actually I find them a bit annoying too sometimes.)

What annoys me most is the ones who do 40mph in a 50 or 60 limit when there's nowhere safe to overtake, then carry on at 40 when the limit drops to 30. That way the law-abiding motorist following them loses ground and has less chance of getting past when the limit goes back to 50 or 60.

Arthur

[Neil Wilson]

[QUOTE=What annoys me most is the ones who do 40mph in a 50 or 60 limit when there's nowhere safe to overtake, then carry on at 40 when the limit drops to 30.
Arthur[/QUOTE]I think I have been behind him as well |rant|