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Paul Whitaker
2nd June 2006, 09:54 AM (09:54)
Go to England.
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This is LONDON
02/06/06 - News section

Left turns at red in traffic plans

Drivers will be allowed to turn left at red lights under Tory proposals to tackle congestion.

The idea is part of a 10-point plan by the Conservatives' economic competitiveness policy group to improve transport in British cities.

The blueprint also promotes building new carriageways and underpasses, removing "dangerous" cycle paths and widening junctions and lanes around large roundabouts.

The policy group, one of several set up by Tory leader David Cameron to formulate ideas, claims that the UK is falling behind competitors because of inadequate transport.

John Redwood, who chairs the group, will unveil its findings on a visit to Barnet.

He will say that stalling transport networks are one of the causes of slower growth, higher costs and fewer jobs, while also damaging the atmosphere.

The group's 10-point plan, which the Tories stress is not party policy, represents its "interim thinking" on what the Government and local authorities can do to improve transport.

Allowing drivers to turn left at red lights is based on experience in the US, where motorists are allowed to turn right.

The policy group also suggests rephasing traffic lights to give priority to main roads, putting cycle lanes on pavements where there is room, allowing taxis and motorbikes to use bus lanes, providing more pedestrian footbridges or underpasses and reviewing speed limits.

Barbara Moulton
2nd June 2006, 11:02 AM (11:02)
Well, it makes sense, since they drive on the opposite side of the road as in North America. Here in Ontario we can turn right on red.

Both times I am in Tennessee, I forget to ask if you can do this in that state. I don't want to turn if I am not allowed to, but if I sit there I might anger people behind me.

Blessings,
Barbara

Shellie Stephens
3rd June 2006, 04:32 AM (04:32)
Sounds like smart thinking. We drive on the left in Japan. Off-base, you cannot turn left on red. ON-base (run by the Americans), you can. It's the same as right on red.

The Brits looking into giving priority to main roads sounds sensible. It's irritating to be at lights with no pressure pads giving equal time to both the main path and the side path in the grand "light" scheme of things.

We've lived here 3 years now. For some reason, it just seems more "right" to drive on the left.

The last time we visited the U.S. I screamed and scared my husband nigh-to-death as I thought he was turning into oncoming traffic. :rolleyes:

Gina Stevenson
3rd June 2006, 02:35 PM (14:35)
We've lived here 3 years now. For some reason, it just seems more "right" to drive on the left.

The last time we visited the U.S. I screamed and scared my husband nigh-to-death as I thought he was turning into oncoming traffic. :rolleyes:

Whoa! Once you move back here, I'd be careful driving tired, until you get used to the right side again; if one's used to the other side of the road, and is tired, they may absentmindedly wander to the other side! :cool: