Red-light runners? Good on the Plod.

[jrandom]

Kinda makes a case for being in between lanes at the front of a queue at an intersection doesn't it?

I almost always pull to one side when I come to a stop at an intersection, even when I'm at the front of the queue.

[MotoKuzzi]

I disagree. I see a *lot* of red light running around Manukau. Almost invariably it is *very* plain that the driver realises perfectly well that the light is red, or about to turn red. If nothing else, the pickup in speed and engine note as he floors the pedal gives it away. That and the fact that often as not, I've already stopped as he hurtles through, whcih would be a rather a broad hint I'd think.

Too true mate I see it every day on Roscommon rd, rising engine note a dead give away even if you can't see them.

[PrincessBandit]

Neatly it will sever the offending vehicle in twain and also burn an infraction bar code into the miscreant's largest organ (their skin).

C'mon now Justin, anyone who did bio at school knows that!!

Good on the law for catching these mobile hazards. I am especially smacked when I see artic. trucks doing it. Must be a case of "get out of my way, my size makes me more important than you" (or perhaps puts them in a different class of road rules from us lesser beings). Or maybe they conveniently forget that they have a huge almighty ass hangin' out the back of them which doesn't feel the insignificant "bump" as they collect more roadkill.

[swbarnett]

I disagree. I see a *lot* of red light running around Manukau. Almost invariably it is *very* plain that the driver realises perfectly well that the light is red, or about to turn red. If nothing else, the pickup in speed and engine note as he floors the pedal gives it away. That and the fact that often as not, I've already stopped as he hurtles through, whcih would be a rather a broad hint I'd think.

I agree that this is also a factor and perhaps more of an issue than complacency. Both are a problem.

I believe deliberate red light running would be curtailed markedly if the stupid delay when all lights are red were removed. People get to know that they have a second or two after the light turns red where no-one else is allowed to move (just a theory but I think it has some merit). And we all know how good the average driver is at judging time and distance.

Admittedly there would be a prang or two while people got used to the fact that things had changed but in the long term I think things would settle down.

[swbarnett]

It's not the blind as bats factor, more the "My Time is More Important than Yours" attitude, get a lot of that, (education won't fix such an attitude)

That depends on the education. Driving training won't but taking people as soon as they are born and teaching them to respect themselves and others would solve a lot of driving problems in the next generation as well as have an effect on crime in general.

Education is the key, it just has to be more general. The goal of education is to train the mind in how to think, not stuff it full of facts. If a person knows how to think the facts will follow automatically; and they'll be accompanied by a good level of understanding.

[Max Preload]

About fucking time.

BTW what's the fine these days for running a red? Didn't it used to be $75? I heard it'd gone up to $150 - can anyone confirm?

[PrincessBandit]

Admittedly there would be a prang or two while people got used to the fact that things had changed but in the long term I think things would settle down.

Kinda agree with you there on removing the delay. There will always be those who milk the safety window, but don't know that I'd want to be one of the "guinea pigs" who is collected by someone in the relearning phase.

[Highlander]

chapel st lights are shocking, i have been taken out about twice in past two weeks at those lights, people clear running the red, and i know people run that light so never gun it from the green.

That was where I first saw it, have seen it at others since then though.
Good on them, great to see them enforcing rules other than just "excessive" speed.

Awful Truth - I think the signage they have put up around Tauranga says $150 for going through while the light is red.

[swbarnett]

Kinda agree with you there on removing the delay. There will always be those who milk the safety window, but don't know that I'd want to be one of the "guinea pigs" who is collected by someone in the relearning phase.

I hear where you're coming from.

A huge advertising campaign would need to be undertaken first so that the potential victims (and hopefully the perpetrators) are aware of the change.

[Skyryder]

I believe deliberate red light running would be curtailed markedly if the stupid delay when all lights are red were removed. People get to know that they have a second or two after the light turns red where no-one else is allowed to move (just a theory but I think it has some merit). And we all know how good the average driver is at judging time and distance.

I'd sooner have the safety factor 'on' than 'off.' Put another way I'd sooner have the red light runner in an empty intersection than one with traffic entering it.

Skyryder

[swbarnett]

I'd sooner have the safety factor 'on' than 'off.' Put another way I'd sooner have the red light runner in an empty intersection than one with traffic entering it.

Skyryder

I understand what you're saying and agree with you. However, this only works when the red-light runners restrict themselves to the "dead" period. Because there's no way for a red-light runner to know when that dead period ends they often overrun it, resulting in them running the red against an opposing green. Remove the dead period and the red-light runner has a clear indication as to when the opposing light is green - their light is red.

Put another way, I believe that drivers know they've got a "safety" factor and use it. Risk homeostasis comes into play to maintain an individual's personal risk level. Without a clear indication of where that safety factor ends it gets overrun.

[Coyote]

How easy is it to break an arm if you accidentally hit a car's wing mirror?


I may do some stupid stuff, but running lights is not one of them. I really do not like the smug look of some of the people who run through them.

[Swoop]

How easy is it to break an arm if you accidentally hit a car's wing mirror?

Quite safe actually...

[Coyote]

Quite safe actually...

Keep your arm stiff so there's no whiplash or keep it limp so the shock is absorbed?

[Swoop]

Keep your arm stiff so there's no whiplash or keep it limp so the shock is absorbed?

I recommend the closed fist/stiff arm technique personally. Others claim that I'm old fashioned though...