It's been suggested that removing all traffic signals and replacing certain intersections with roundabouts would be safer. The logic being that the increased level of danger would make people more careful, forcing them to pay more attention to the road and the actions of others. Is this a good idea?
Traffic signals only encourage traffic problems. It forces people to be less aware of their driving behavior as the responsibility is on the traffic light to minimize danger, allowing drivers to become distracted by nondriving activities.
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Traffic signals provide a necessary function as they keep traffic flowing. Without traffic signals we would constantly be at a standstill and no one would be able to get anywhere.
34 comment(s) so far
Geek1thinks: I think I saw that article you're mentioning. The town was in the Netherlands. It may work there, but somehow, I doubt removing traffic signals could be a good solution for cities such as New York or London where traffic is overflowing and a city grid system is already in place for directional traffic.
martboxthinks: Small junctions in 30mph areas don't need traffic lights, but 40mph+ areas on rush hour routes need congestion management so need lights. (If traffic lights were really that much of a safety problem it would have been clearly identified years ago)
englishdannythinks: I agree that roundabouts both slow down traffic and put the onus for safety upon the driver. I live in the Netherlands and the place is full of traffic-lights! In residential areas, (many with 30kph-20mph approx.), use of the, "rule of right", (exactly the same as the rules of right-of-way for roundabouts) and various traffic interrupters work well and because bicycles always have the right of way the driver must pay attention and drive carefully with due consideration for all other road-users and pedestrians. The problem with roundabouts is that they take up far more ground-area than a set of traffic-lights making them impractical as a replacement especially in built-up or high-density dwelling areas. Incidentally, roundabouts are a British invention. Most of the traffic management systems in the Netherlands are indigenous but they "Imported" this idea from Britain. Maybe we should have a closer look at their systems for use in the UK?
innov8thinks: I think more responsibility needs to be put on the driver. They need to know the consequences of their actions. Driving is dangerous and causes millions of injuries and fatalities a year. Safety needs to be the number one concern behind the wheel. Maybe roundabouts are not the solution, but traffic flow in large cities has become an increasing problem. Automobiles, cyclists, and pedestrians need to learn to share the roads and help keep us all safe.
dmsgcthinks: i wonder whether drivers are being subjected to information overload generally. i live in the uk, and there has been a rapid expansion of both signalling and surveillance/enforcement of for example minor speed limit infringement or road marking compliance. this invokes a state of anxiety in drivers which can distract from the main task i.e. maintaining observation and control. it would be interesting to evaluate the distribution of driver's attention between actual dynamic objects on the road and information sources such as signs, speedomenters and road markings. obviously a balance is needed for safe driving.
jeaniethinks: I live near a very busy roundabout with 5 exits, sometimes you can wait 5 mins. for a chance to get out from the side streets as traffic is heavy on the main roads. This leads to people taking risks and there have been a number of bumps on the roundabout. The pedestrians who have to cross these roads take a great chance as it is almost impossible to cross without risk. Traffic lights would slow down the cars and lorries and allow pedestrians to cross safely.
lynthinks: Traffic lights are necessary. If these were replaced by roundabouts the number of accidents including fatalities would increase dramatically. At least most people obey the red lights. With roundabouts motorists are always trying to race the traffic with the right of way, they are very dangerous and a nightmare
I would also mention that that the earlier law where no one had the right of way on a roundabout might be better, or perhaps the good motorists just no longer exist!
charliethinks: I agree that driving should not be a passive activity. It does require concentration. Having systems in place, albeit dangerous from certain perspectives would make it safer as a whole as drivers py more attention. I'm not sure roundabouts are the answer, but some other form of traffic management that requires a driver to be aware of their surroundings would definitely be welcome.
chipthinks: Couple of things. Traffic lights are essential to minimise urban chaos until the next generation of traffic or automobile management comes into play. maybe cars will be electronically synchronised and operated. maybe we will have carplanes, reducing the need for ground based management. maybe we'll have airpods and more mass transport. maybe even mile long walkways at 30kmph or 18 mph through our city centres and heavy human density areas. In india, almost every single roundabout (British rule right?) was converted to a traffic junction which caused more pollution because of engine idling in a single location, more time and more gasoline consumption. Not that roundabouts didn't have their share of problems, but take a look at the multi-level roudabout (Shanghai, was it?) .. that might be an idea for the future.
Unless you just up into your 2055 AirCar and set UPS (Universal Positioning System) for the Moon.
