Got a minute to talk about one of the dumbest things about #traffic in North America?
That's right, I'm talking about how we think it's a good idea to let drivers turn right even if the traffic light is red.
#RTOR is a wrongheaded idea that doesn't serve its intended purpose (saving gas) and demonstrably makes streets more dangerous for everyone.
#SafeStreets #VisionZero #BanRTOR #WalkTooter #BikeTooter
🧵
In the rest of the world, red means 'stop.' But in most of the US and Canada, red can also mean 'stop, then go,' and the 'stop' part is optional*
This is confusing.
*it's not actually optional, but most drivers think it is.
(2/2)
We build a lot of other really confusing features into our transportation infrastructure, and for some reason believe it's ok because we know how drivers are just SO SMART AND CAREFUL AND ATTENTIVE that everything will work out. The assumption of perfect humans is baked into our manuals and highway codes.
(3/3)
For example, we'll have "walk" signals illuminated for pedestrians at the same time we give green lights to drivers who want to cross the paths of those very same pedestrians. It's one of the most common causes of pedestrians getting run over at signalized intersections.
But our unique and absurd practice of telling drivers they can *also* cross pedestrians' paths if they have a red light is next level dangerous.
(4/4)
There are a couple of things that can go wrong when we just let drivers decide if it's safe to go on red.
One is when a driver approaching a red light forgets--as they do--about stopping, and is so preoccupied with looking left for a safe gap to dart into into that they fail to look right to check for crosswalk users who are traveling facing traffic. This can obviously be deadly.
(5/5)
Another, more insidious but by no means less frustrating, is when would-be right-turners do stop, but they stop *in the crosswalk* so they can get a better view of the traffic they're hoping to turn into. And then they just...sit...and...sit...blocking the whole ass crosswalk.
(6/6)
What does all this look like in real time?
I'm glad you asked! Here's one minute, as promised, on why our truly harebrained practice of letting drivers turn right on red needs to effing end.
(CW mild but warranted adult language)
(8/8)
Just when did "stop bars" become a suggestion?
@Streetsweeper I think they have a special coating to make them invisible through windshields
Given the state of DMV road tests these days, I doubt they are even mentioned as necessary or penalized.
@DrTCombs considering the driver behavior the reactions were pretty mild.
While it’s true their behavior is induced by bad laws and infrastructure, I do believe that driving generally has a tendency to make people act in antisocial ways (like a$$holes). No doubt US laws and infrastructure foster a pretty extreme sense of entitlement in drivers
@DrTCombs We don't have the same problem here in the US for the most part, but give it time.
@LanguageMan1 I'm in the US...we absolutely have this problem here!
@DrTCombs Yes, I see that it's happening in various areas. It's not all over, but in many areas.
@DrTCombs Then again, I guess it's already happening.
@DrTCombs This whole thread is 🎯 As someone who grew up in the UK, the whole RTOR when I moved to Canada completely baffled me - it is such an easy fix but for #CarBrain in our elected officials. But I was kinda comforted by your reactions - this is me every day and why I typically post my videos without audio! 🫢
@DrTCombs You want to really piss off other drivers the next time you're behind the wheel? Forget about travelling at the speed limit or lower, that's child's play. To really enrage people in cars, try waiting at a red light with your right turn signal on (something you're legally absolutely within your right to do).
@DrTCombs
Good video.
I've been wanting to make a video showing that on some intersections here, a majority of people executing the RTOR don't come close to actually stopping, and in too many cases, don't even slow down. They treat those right turn lanes like slip lanes. I've had way too many close calls on one particular intersection.
Good discussion.
@DrTCombs No RTOR in NYC yet drivers do insist on running up fast to lights especially when green in hopes of beating them.
And of course the drivers that do both: fly up to the intersection with no intention of stopping or looking for humans before turning, but then realizing there's too much traffic so they have to <gasp> wait their turn even though they're already halfway in the intersection.
(7/7)