Short Red light traffic lights

nautic on 26/06/2018 - 19:03

We have red light traffic lights mounted on tiny short poles, and then we have large buses and trucks that will block these traffic lights (such as the sole green turn right arrow) while turning. A bus moves slowly while turning and is very long. But then we have red light cameras that will snap your number plate should you run a red light. I mean wtf?

Should we stop our cars and wait until said bus completes its turn so we can see the traffic light again, in case it turned red, and then complete our right turn behind said bus. You know how ridiculous that sounds.

How much does it cost to mount them (the traffic lights) a little higher. I mean really? With all that revenue?

Automotive

Comments

  • PissLUR on 26/06/2018 - 19:04
    +2

    pics please.

    • pegaxs on 26/06/2018 - 23:35

      You can google map it. Look for “469 Torrens Road, Kilkenny, SA”

      Sorry I don’t know to link it from my iPad…

  • original15 on 26/06/2018 - 19:10
    +1

    Lol if you don’t want to chance it, it unfortunately sounds like you just gotta wait. Unless you can make out the lights clearly through bus windows etc
    Unsafe to just chance it. While a few minutes is frustrating and would avoid if possible, there are worse positions to be in

  • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 19:12

    https://ibb.co/m9TPeo

    • HighAndDry on 26/06/2018 - 20:34

      I see a set of traffic lights to the left of the intersection too. Do those not have the arrows on them?

    • pegaxs on 27/06/2018 - 09:33

      In that photos, there is a truck in the background and the green light is clearly above the height of the truck. So the red light would be higher up, above the truck.

  • Godric on 26/06/2018 - 19:21
    +4

    um, tell your council

    • onetwothreefour on 27/06/2018 - 07:38

      He told the Ozbargain City Council.

  • whooah1979 on 26/06/2018 - 19:36

    Directional and low mounted traffic lights helps reduce glare. It also prevent drivers from timing the lights from afar.

    • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 19:53

      Yeah keep visibility and reaction until the very last moment. So much safer!!!

      • whooah1979 on 26/06/2018 - 20:03
        +1

        It forces the drivers to pay more attention to other road users when turning. That is indeed much safer then blindly following a bus or truck without first seeing what may be waiting at the turn.

        • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 20:07
          +1

          If forces the drivers to pay more attention to the hidden light, and not what's on the road.

        • whooah1979 on 26/06/2018 - 20:11

          @nautic:

          paying attention to traffic lights, traffic signs, road markings, etc on the side of the road or painted on the road is part of safe driving. fail to do that and expect to pay the fine. these is no excuse.

        • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 20:19
          +1

          @whooah1979:

          Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Why you would choose not to see the traffic lights, at all times, is only something that you can know.

  • Euphemistic on 26/06/2018 - 19:45
    +5

    Looks normal to me.

    If you can’t see it, don’t go.

    • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 19:55

      Picture this, two buses on both lanes going straight blocking your view for a good 5 seconds. Are you going to brake hard and stop at the intersection when it's green, with cars behind you

      • whooah1979 on 26/06/2018 - 20:23
        +3

        the drivers not being able to see the traffic light while behind another is a good indication that they're not keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

        • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 20:26
          -1

          Not when said vehicle is the height of a bus

        • whooah1979 on 26/06/2018 - 20:33
          +1

          @nautic:

          you may practice safe driving by leaving a safe distance between your front bumper and the vehicle in front of you. 1m to 2m for passenger vehicles and 2m to 5m for a heavy vehicle. this helps with visibility and reduces the risk of being pushed forward if being hit from the rear.

        • tranter on 27/06/2018 - 04:53

          Have a look on street view at that intersection. There is one view where there is a bus stopped at the traffic lights. Any traffic behind would be struggling to see the lights even from 'safe' distance.

        • whooah1979 on 27/06/2018 - 05:50
          +4

          @tranter:

          As pegaxs has mentioned. There are plenty of traffic lights in every direction. If a driver can’t see the colour of the lights before they start moving from a stationary position, then it would be safer to wait until they can see it.

          Some drivers are always trying to find excuses to not follow the road rules or practice safe driving behaviours.

        • tranter on 27/06/2018 - 07:54

          @whooah1979:

          You may be correct in that regard but your assertion that not being able to see the lights is a result of failing to keep a safe distance is clearly not right many circumstances.

      • HighAndDry on 26/06/2018 - 20:36
        +1

        Why are you braking hard? You should be slowing to turn in the first place, and if you can't see the traffic lights, pause until you can. It's one set of lights, you can make up the 2 mins you lose if you don't browse OzB on the toilet.

        • Nugs on 27/06/2018 - 06:35
          +1

          "Why are you braking hard?" - this.

          always coast when possible, saves on brake pads.

          .

      • Euphemistic on 27/06/2018 - 14:01

        If you can't work it out, please hand in your licence.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2018 - 20:25

    If it's a council road then complain to them. If it's a state controlled road them most state based traffic authorities have online "request a review" section and an checkbox option to force them to reply with an answer. Either way it won't be reviewed or fixed any time soon.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 26/06/2018 - 20:25
    +5

    And what's the deal with arrows on the ground which get obstructed by the cars in front?

  • HighAndDry on 26/06/2018 - 20:29
    +3

    Should we stop our cars and wait until said bus completes its turn so we can see the traffic light again, in case it turned red, and then complete our right turn behind said bus.

    Yes? I mean, you can't exactly drive through the bus so… you're going to have to wait to turn after the bus anyway right?

    • nautic on 26/06/2018 - 21:22
      -5

      How many troll accounts you have there, and how do you get away with it. What's the secret?

      • HighAndDry on 27/06/2018 - 09:54

        Yes, all the comments in this entire thread are from me so it looks like a total of…. 15? different accounts? You've been talking to me this whole time.

    • GG57 on 27/06/2018 - 09:04
      +4

      Fully agree; if you can't see that you have clear exit from the intersection, you shouldn't enter the intersection.
      Pretty easy concept.

  • pegaxs on 26/06/2018 - 23:46
    +1

    Had a look at the intersection on Google maps and can’t really see the problem with it. There are 4 sets of lights just for that oncoming lane. Two seperate sets for left turn, a set for right turn and a joined left and right set.

    There are photos of the lights up close and comparable with other cars, humans and a truck. I can’t see how this would be an issue, as there are so many other sets of lights. Even the way the intersection is laid out makes it work. I can’t see how a truck or bus would block all of the signals there at any time coming from the direction the photo was taken.

    Sounds like someone run a red, got a little ticket and is looking for a loophole. There will be an Australian standard for how lights have to be mounted, I’ll see if I can find it tomorrow… (It’s AS1742.14 if anyone cares.)

    • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2018 - 00:00

      It's now tomorrow. Well today. DANG! I see what you did there. Anyway, how did you go reviewing the standard?

      • pegaxs on 27/06/2018 - 08:46
        +1

        Because it's tomorrow, I have some great news. Well, some good news and some not so good news,

        The height of traffic lights under the Australian Standard AS1742.14-2014, section 5.2, Lantern Mounting Height, is: 2.4 metres for post mounted traffic signals and 5.4m for overhanging traffic signals (actually 5.3m, but allowing 0.1m for pole flex).

        Bad news is I cant link to the Australian Standard, because it is behind a paywall. A very expensive paywall. I can post lots of cross links and references from various state departments, but it isnt worth the trouble. If anyone is in doubt, feel free to contact your state library and request to view a copy of the Australian Standards.

        So, as it appears from OP's photo and various Google Street View images I have looked at, none of the signs are mounted above the road, all are post mounted, therefore, they only have to be 2.4m above the ground.

        And I made up a little post (hahaha, get the pun??) on Imgur to show this intersection, how many lights there are, their location and was able to reference their height against standard traffic objects such as pedestrians and trucks.

        Torrens Road Traffic Signal Analysis

        So, now that I have more information, I can happily answer OP's questions…

        But then we have red light cameras that will snap your number plate should you run a red light. I mean wtf?

        There do not appear to be red light cameras at this intersection as of Jun 2017 And this is also according to SA DPTI Official intersection camera location webpage

        Should we stop our cars and wait until said bus completes its turn so we can see the traffic light again in case it turned red, and then complete our right turn behind said bus.

        Yes. But from the look of the number of lights at that intersection (6 sets in total), how could you not see them?

        You know how ridiculous that sounds.

        It doesn't. If you cant see, then proceed with caution. If you cant see, slow down or stop until it is safe. The only thing that sounds ridiculous is the asking of how ridiculous it sounds.

        How much does it cost to mount them (the traffic lights) a little higher.

        They don't have to mount them higher, as discussed above, they all appear to be well within the Australian Standards for Traffic Signal mounting.

        I mean really? With all that revenue?

        Opps, someone got a ticket. And it's only "revenue" when you feel hard done by. Don't run the red, and you wont pay a fine.

  • terrys on 27/06/2018 - 09:17
    +6

    "Should we stop our cars and wait until said bus completes its turn so we can see the traffic light again,"

    As in " Proceed only when you know the way is clear."?

    Do me a favour. Get off the road until you can drive, pushing 1-2 tonnes of metal as the same speed as a 15" battle-ship shell is a privilege, not a right.

    • zambuck on 27/06/2018 - 09:30
      +1

      I agree with you re OP observing the road rules, which may include Road Rule 128, involving entering an intersection when it is full and getting stranded there.

      I'm not so sure about the 15" battle-ship shell though, which would have you driving at 749m/s or 2696.4km/h. Slow down there buddy! ;)

  • Ken1977 on 27/06/2018 - 18:15

    I agree with OP, when you take off from a green arrow behind a bus as you're approaching the turn the arrow to the right is covered by my roof and the bus or truck covers the arrow in front. Unless I leave a 2 car gap and piss everyone off behind you, i'm just guessing the light is still green.

  • HeWhoKnows on 27/06/2018 - 18:44
    1. yes you must ensure you have right of way and that means a green light
    2. If the traffic lights are not clearly visible bring this up with your local council

    Just a point of law.
    If you are over the thick white STOP line then you must proceed to clear the intersection.
    If you are behind the thick white STOP line and the light turns amber or red you must not proceed
    Red light cameras will only snap you if you cross the thick white STOP line AFTER the light goes RED.

    • Euphemistic on 29/06/2018 - 15:10

      Another point of law:
      There is no 'right of way', there is only the responsibility to give way written into the road rules. On a green light you can proceed if safe to do so, you haven't been given 'right of way'

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