Jumping red lights

[Twigman]

Our brains are very well developed to calculate risk. That is one reason we have become the dominant species on the planet.

absolutely

Some have a greater aversion to risk than others but we can all assess risk extremely accurately.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I cared to the extent that I asked after her health and whether she survived but I really had nothing on my conscience and wasn't going to let it bother me.

OK there we differ. No matter who was at fault I would feel for the person injured (after the initial "righteous indignation" had died down)

 

[Red Light]

Link please.

The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

Traffic on a green is required to proceed with due regard for the safety of others, the red light for pedestrians is just a safety warning.

 

[Red Light]

If you slowed down for every group of people waiting at a pelican crossing for the green man you'd not only get nowhere fast (London's pavements are full of people) but you'd also likely cause accidents in the traffic behind you - motorists in London tend to expect to be able run at a constant speed green light after green light, slowing down at every crossing is just going to cause a concertina effect in the traffic and someone will overbrake and there'll be a rump crunch accident.

Maintaining a constant speed normally results in hitting all junction lights at green.

If you don't slow down for crossings with people waiting you will in time collect a pedestrian or two as you have indeed done. They take opportunities to cross all the time and you have to be prepared for it in London. But it seems maintaining your speed to avoid delaying your important journey over-rides their safety.

 

[Red Light]

Amen. Red Light - If the lights have no legal significance for pedestrians why don't the government just make the lights face the traffic and save a fortune in unneeded pedestrian facing lights?

The red and green pedestrian lights are there to inform pedestrians when the traffic has a red light and they can cross safely and when it has a green like and therefore less safe to cross.

 

[Red Light]

I would jump a red if to stop would put my life in danger

So you support women cyclists jumping red lights then?

 

[Red Light]

Our brains are very well developed to calculate risk. That is one reason we have become the dominant species on the planet.

Actually our brains are pretty crap at assessing risk. Which is why people think cycling is dangerous but walking or driving is not, why they will happily drive but are scared of flying, why they happily burn fossil fuels but are fearful of nuclear power, why they fear stranger danger but not friends and family, why they smoke and eat unhealthy diets etc etc

 

[Dan B]

If you slowed down for every group of people waiting at a pelican crossing for the green man you'd not only get nowhere fast (London's pavements are full of people) but you'd also likely cause accidents in the traffic behind you - motorists in London tend to expect to be able run at a constant speed green light after green light, slowing down at every crossing is just going to cause a concertina effect in the traffic and someone will overbrake and there'll be a rump crunch accident.

This again is demonstrably untrue, at least in zone 1. Motorists in London - or at least those motorists without great big dents in their vehicles - expect to frequently and regularly encounter cyclists, pedestrians, buses, traffic queues, U-turning taxis and all classes of imbecile in the road. If you don't have the skills to ride safely and anticipate hazards in a complex environment, don't expect much sympathy for the excuse that you "shouldn't have to"

 

[Twigman]

But it seems maintaining your speed to avoid delaying your important journey over-rides their safety.

If they stayed on the pavement until the traffic stopped, it would assure their safety.

If they step out into moving traffic they deserve anything that's coming to them.

 

[Twigman]

Bored with this now.

If you want to RLJ don't cry Foul when someone collects you.
It will be your own bleeding fault.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So you support women cyclists jumping red lights then?

Did I say that? No I didn't. I spoke about myself only. Read enough surveys and you will do nothing from fear of everything.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

This again is demonstrably untrue, at least in zone 1. Motorists in London - or at least those motorists without great big dents in their vehicles - expect to frequently and regularly encounter cyclists, pedestrians, buses, traffic queues, U-turning taxis and all classes of imbecile in the road. If you don't have the skills to ride safely and anticipate hazards in a complex environment, don't expect much sympathy for the excuse that you "shouldn't have to"

Maybe we should have a special London sun forum as it seems to operate under different parameters to the rest of the country.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Actually our brains are pretty crap at assessing risk. Which is why people think cycling is dangerous but walking or driving is not, why they will happily drive but are scared of flying, why they happily burn fossil fuels but are fearful of nuclear power, why they fear stranger danger but not friends and family, why they smoke and eat unhealthy diets etc etc

Ok right. The professor has once again spoken. I had better . No hang on he's wrong. The risks you talk about are higher level risks. The basic Fight or flight risks involved in road warfare usage are pretty good unless judgement is impaired though lack of experience or chemical interference.

 

[Red Light]

This again is demonstrably untrue, at least in zone 1. Motorists in London - or at least those motorists without great big dents in their vehicles - expect to frequently and regularly encounter cyclists, pedestrians, buses, traffic queues, U-turning taxis and all classes of imbecile in the road. If you don't have the skills to ride safely and anticipate hazards in a complex environment, don't expect much sympathy for the excuse that you "shouldn't have to"

2. All that slowing down does is delays your getting to the back of the next traffic queue.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

2. All that slowing down does is delays your getting to the back of the next traffic queue.

As does stopping at red lights.