Comment 30871

By Michelle Martin (registered) - website | Posted May 07, 2009 at 10:29:51

Re: right turns on the red-- when I drive, I like the convenience of being able to turn right on the red sometimes. That being said, like Urban Renaissance above, I wonder exactly how much time being allowed to turn right on the red light really saves on any given trip. My gut reaction here is that flow of traffic won't actually decrease noticeably if we stop allowing right turns on the red, but pedestrian safety will definitely increase. Hmmm... occasional convenience vs. safety. Seems like a no-brainer.

My biggest beef as a pedestrian here in Hamilton is the advanced green here at King St. East and Ottawa St. (remember it Ben?) Because vehicles (including the HSR buses on this route) are always pushing the envelope with an advanced green (just like with the right turn red, give drivers an inch and they'll take a mile), they usually proceed into the intersection and turn left in front of pedestrians even once the pedestrian walk signal is given and their green light has stopped flashing-- been almost hit more than once. However, if pedestrians wait until the intersection is completely clear, they'll often lose the chance to cross, before their signal turns red. It's absolutely ridiculous that I have to forbid my school-aged children from using one of their neighbourhood intersections because it is unsafe. While I don't necessarily object to advanced greens generally, surely the pedestrian should be the priority where light timing is concerned.

“Conviction without experience makes for harshness. ” Flannery O'Connor

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