When a Red Traffic Arrow Needs Explanation

Jungle Jim said :

I can’t quite tell from the picture, but wouldn’t this be one of those setups where there’s no green or amber arrow?

If it is, then this is to reiterate to people, they can turn right (with care) with the solid green unless there’s a red arrow?

I’m sure I’ve seen a few of these setups around town – not sure whether they all come with the (albeit redundant) signage.

I thought the same, but this intersection has green and amber arrows in all directions.

Antagonist said :

Evilomlap said :

It’s simply there to let you know *where* to stop when the arrow is red (usually used at intersections where it’s not entirely clear the exact line where you’re supposed to stop).

Down here in Tuggeranong, we have a white line on the road called a ‘hold line’ that tells us where to stop and wait at red lights. It is a genius idea. Hopefully it will catch on in Belco soon. It should save the taxpayer a bundle in redundant signage 🙂

Last time I looked Gungahlin Drive from Gundaroo Drive was in Gungahlin. Up north we have these things called maps, hopefully they will catch on down Tuggeranong way. They seem to just consider everything north Belconnen, when it isn’t the case.

PS if you find said map and venture to Belco you will also find these wonderful hold line thingys.

For the benefit of those requiring their licences to be handed back, these signs (which are a nationwide standard) instruct people where to stop. It goes without saying (at least to those that deserve to retain their permit to drive) that you stop at red arrows when turning in that direction. Most traffic lights have a stop line, some lights that don’t have this feature use this sign instead. Some lights have neither requiring some judgement (which is probably asking a bit much for Canberra drivers) on behalf of the driver to stop as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic arrows.

curmudgery said :

No. The contract stipulates that a certain number of signs will be purchased during the period. Failure to comply is in breach of the terms and conditions of the contract and may require the involvement of lawyers.

Having a number of prepared but uninstalled signs will be highlighted by the auditors as an inefficiency and there will be some explaining to do, mark my words. This will be reflected in the spreadsheet.

The best solution is for a few members of the government (not many) to travel overseas and find facts relating to this issue. Until their report has been tabled, signs should be installed reminding drivers to obey all signs.

It’s quite straightforward.

Ah, thanks for explaining that. I thought it was going to be difficult to understand, but you’ve made it so easy to see the solution.

Now I’ll go read the “Do Canberra’s politicians waste your money” thread.

I can’t quite tell from the picture, but wouldn’t this be one of those setups where there’s no green or amber arrow?

If it is, then this is to reiterate to people, they can turn right (with care) with the solid green unless there’s a red arrow?

I’m sure I’ve seen a few of these setups around town – not sure whether they all come with the (albeit redundant) signage.

Evilomlap said :

It’s simply there to let you know *where* to stop when the arrow is red (usually used at intersections where it’s not entirely clear the exact line where you’re supposed to stop).

Down here in Tuggeranong, we have a white line on the road called a ‘hold line’ that tells us where to stop and wait at red lights. It is a genius idea. Hopefully it will catch on in Belco soon. It should save the taxpayer a bundle in redundant signage 🙂

They need one of these at the UC intersection on Ginninderra drive. coming out of UC

Canberra has plenty of legally redundant road signs that are there to accommodate many drivers’ ignorance of the road rules.

The best examples are the “Give Way to Pedestrians” signs that remind turning drivers that they must give way to pedestrians who are crossing the road the drivers are entering.

The worst examples are the signs in Civic that remind pedestrians to look for drivers and cyclists who don’t know the give way rules.

m_ratt said :

A reminder to the idiots that seem to forget that they need to stop at/behind the stop line.
If you crawl over the line at that point you’ll get a ticket from the red light camera.

Unnecessary I agree, but hopefully it’s there to provide another way to fob off complains from idiots/

Highly unlikely as the red light camera triggers when the car has entered the intersection. Its not sensitive or accurate enough to detect a car that has its front wheels over the line edging forward slowly. Where you can get caught though is when the camera automatically fires as the lights go red, to catch red light runners. If you happen to be stopped but over the line then, a fine is probably headed your way.

No. The contract stipulates that a certain number of signs will be purchased during the period. Failure to comply is in breach of the terms and conditions of the contract and may require the involvement of lawyers.

Having a number of prepared but uninstalled signs will be highlighted by the auditors as an inefficiency and there will be some explaining to do, mark my words. This will be reflected in the spreadsheet.

The best solution is for a few members of the government (not many) to travel overseas and find facts relating to this issue. Until their report has been tabled, signs should be installed reminding drivers to obey all signs.

It’s quite straightforward.