...and overall traffic would move easier. Sure, it might sound crazy, but I bet it's true.
Some lights would need to remain on normal cycles, but countless others could be switched to the equivalent of "signalized" stop signs.
Granted, I don't have the scientific facts to back up the bet, just years of anecdotal evidence that every time a light is switched to flashing red, you almost always get through on the first or second waiting of your turn - much faster than you do waiting from a change from red to green. Why? Bottom line: St. Louis just doesn't have that much traffic.
Besides, given the overall extremely courteous nature of St. Louis drivers, it just might work.
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6 comments:
You must be joking with that last sentence.
Having lived in Illinois for many years, I am amazed at how much better they are with signals. Most main thoroughfares have speed-timed lights (this was 10-15 years ago!) other lights are triggered: stays green on busier street I definitely until a car approaches side street, then goes yellow/red within 1 or 2 seconds.
I drive in the city & county a lot, and signals are terrible. Imagine the wasted gas & air pollution from idling cars ( not to mention wasted time & productivity!)
We could also eliminate half the stop signs, especially the ones at three-way intersections. And yes, these poorly timed lights and the stop signs do indeed cause tremendous waste with regards to fuel and time.
I think the extreme courtesy actually works against efficiency at a four-way stop. St. Louis drivers inappropriately give up the right-of-way more than any other drivers I've ever seen, anywhere. (And I take note, because that's a pet peeve of mine.) People will sit through three or four cars going because they're uncertain when they are supposed to go, and that makes everyone take longer at the intersection as everyone hesitates and waits for the other guy (or, let's be honest, usually a gal) to go.
GAH!
Yes! Jennifer, you are exactly correct. And note the totally different perspective from Shannon at 9:44 am. St. Louis drivers are courteous to a fault.
As far as slowing down the gears of traffic, it doesn't help when you can count to ten before the first car in line at the change of a light to green finally steps on the gas!
Courteous to a fault or incredibly ignorant to a fault? Their poor driving skills while in motion proves it's not courtesy- - they rarely stop for pedestrians and frequently fail to stop at red lights before making the RoR. Too busy on their cell phones to go though when light turns green.
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