US traffic lights

[MorningGlory]

I have a question for you all (I was going to say a stupid question, but the only stupid questions are the unasked ones ).

Is the US traffic light system (and specifically Orlando) the same as in the UK? You know - red, red/amber, green, amber, red? Ive read conflicting things on the web about this, mainly due to the fact that different states operate their own laws with regards to traffic laws.

So, what is the deal with traffic lights in Florida? Is it true that you can do a right turn on a red light as long as there is no pedestrians or traffic crossing you? Any other peculiarities I should be aware of?

Thanks all

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

In the US, you can generally turn red after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise posted. You may also turn left after stopping if you are turning onto a one way street. One exception is New York City; no turns on red.

Traffic lights are red (stop), yellow (be prepared to stop) and green, (go).

 

[debster812]

In the US, you can generally turn red after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise posted. You may also turn left after stopping if you are turning onto a one way street. One exception is New York City; no turns on red.

Traffic lights are red (stop), yellow (be prepared to stop) and green, (go).

Bold emphasis mine.

I think what lost* meant was that you can turn right on red, after coming to a stop.

The rest is correct, red, yellow (amber), green.

 

[we're all mad here]

In the US, you can generally turn red after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise posted. You may also turn left after stopping if you are turning onto a one way street. One exception is New York City; no turns on red.

Traffic lights are red (stop), yellow (be prepared to stop) and green, (go).

Actually you can only turn left on a red light when you are turning from a one way street to another one way street, but these situations are only common in downtown areas. You can make a right turn on a red light if there is no oncoming traffic, vehicular or pedestrian. There may be signs near the signal prohibiting this however.

In the USA you will only have one light illuminated at a time(3 state compared to 4 state in the UK), except for arrow lights. If you are in a left turn lane, there may be a left turn arrow light. If the left turn arrow light is green, only left turns my proceed. An amber light will follow and then disappear. There is no red left turn light, just a solid light. There may be right turn arrow lights as well.

 

[MorningGlory]

In the US, you can generally turn red after coming to a complete stop, unless otherwise posted. You may also turn left after stopping if you are turning onto a one way street. One exception is New York City; no turns on red.

Traffic lights are red (stop), yellow (be prepared to stop) and green, (go).

Great, thanks Tis the only thing that confused me when I thought about the prospect of driving on US roads

Just so im clear: If it doesn't have a 'red means wait' sign, then you are free to do the right turn when its clear (provided you stop at the stop line first)?

 

[Kies99]

Lights in the United States are always Red(Stop), Yellow/Amber(prepare to Stop), and Green(Go).

They are positioned either vertical (Red on top, Yellow in middle, green on bottom) or they are sometimes position horizontally (Red on left, Yellow in middle, Green on right).

MOST of the time, you may turn right on a red light if there is no traffic or pedestrians. IF this is not allowed, there should be a sign saying "No Turn On Red".

Sometimes there will be a 4th light which is a Green turn arrow. This can be positioned for left turns or right turns.

If there is a Left turn arrow, there is USUALLY a special turning only lane and you MUST turn left.

BE AWARE of some lanes that look like they should go straight, actually become turn lanes. Watch for signs painted on the road or hanging above the intersection or on poles leading up to the intersection.

ALSO BE AWARE of turn lanes in the middle. These will be a single lane that both directions may turn from. You will pull into this lane to turn left, however oncoming traffice can TURN INTO THE SAME LANE so that they can turn left (your right).

 

[CPT Tripss]

Great, thanks Tis the only thing that confused me when I thought about the prospect of driving on US roads

Just so im clear: If it doesn't have a 'red means wait' sign, then you are free to do the right turn when its clear (provided you stop at the stop line first)?

I think the wording on the sign is "no turn on red," that's what it is here and the US rules are mostly uniform. You may also encounter a red arrow for right turns . . . most often used when opposing traffic has right of way.

You are indeed fortunate that there are no round abouts in the WDW area! That's really confusing when driving on the wrong side.

 

[Lewisc]

A lot of drivers think a yellow light turning red means drive real fast through the intersection. When you're the first car behind a red light take a quick look and make sure a car isn't running the light before you proceed. Don't assume your green light, and the others drivers red light, means he won't be running it.

 

[MorningGlory]

I think the wording on the sign is "no turn on red," that's what it is here and the US rules are mostly uniform. You may also encounter a red arrow for right turns . . . most often used when opposing traffic has right of way.

You are indeed fortunate that there are no round abouts in the WDW area! That's really confusing when driving on the wrong side.

Thanks Tripps, I just used 'Red means wait' as an example (I knew you would know what I meant hehe).

Funny, I never even thought about roundabouts! I looked at Orlando pn Google Earth and, as you rightly say, there is a distinct lack of roundabouts Are they the same as European (not British) roundabouts where you have to give right of way to traffic coming from the right (traffic joining the roundabout) when you are on the actual roundabout itself?

 

[debster812]

Thanks Tripps, I just used 'Red means wait' as an example (I knew you would know what I meant hehe).

Funny, I never even thought about roundabouts! I looked at Orlando pn Google Earth and, as you rightly say, there is a distinct lack of roundabouts Are they the same as European (not British) roundabouts where you have to give right of way to traffic coming from the right (traffic joining the roundabout) when you are on the actual roundabout itself?

Actually, it's different here. At least here in Massachusetts (where we call them Rotaries), if you are IN the roundabout (Rotary) you have the right of way, and the folks merging into the roundabout (rotary) must yield.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks Tripps, I just used 'Red means wait' as an example (I knew you would know what I meant hehe).

Funny, I never even thought about roundabouts! I looked at Orlando pn Google Earth and, as you rightly say, there is a distinct lack of roundabouts Are they the same as European (not British) roundabouts where you have to give right of way to traffic coming from the right (traffic joining the roundabout) when you are on the actual roundabout itself?

I can only think of two small roundabouts in the Orlando area, and neither are anywhere near where a typical WDW/Seaworld/I-Drive/Universal tourist would venture.

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

The U.S. has a nationwide standard for traffic lights, traffic signs, pavement markings, etc. although there are still some idiosyncrasies that have held over here and there in different states. Any federally funded project has to conform to the nationwide standard.

Example: Only one circular lens on a signal face may be on at any given time, yellow must precede red, and yellow does not precede green. (An arrow and a circular lens can both be on at the same time.) There are still a few intersections in Massachusetts where red and yellow together means walk only, in any direction across the intersection.

A single shared left turn lane in the middle for traffic coming both ways is set off by solid yellow lines with dashed yellow lines just inside each.

In the U.S., all "modern" or "conforming" or "correct" roundabouts have entering traffic yielding and must have yield signs mounted facing each entrances. Most of the not that common traffic circles in New Hampshire have yield signs near each entrance but sometimes the signs are for the traffic already in the circle. Most of the problems with roundabouts in the U.S. have to do with which "lane" goes where at the exits.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[MorningGlory]

Actually, it's different here. At least here in Massachusetts (where we call them Rotaries), if you are IN the roundabout (Rotary) you have the right of way, and the folks merging into the roundabout (rotary) must yield.

Great, thanks

European roundabouts are weird to say the least lol! I had 3 lanes of traffic on a roundabout in Amsterdam stopping, waiting for me to enter, with me wondering why they were stopping. Ended up looking for traffic signals or something

 

[CPT Tripss]

Actually, it's different here. At least here in Massachusetts (where we call them Rotaries), if you are IN the roundabout (Rotary) you have the right of way, and the folks merging into the roundabout (rotary) must yield.

I'm from New Jersey - we call them circles, but I know a little British - it's survival of the fittest. Beware pickup trucks with snow plows!