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Man fined for criticizing govt using science, without a license
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mfro:

--- Quote from: Bud on March 10, 2020, 02:38:00 pm ---Traffic lights positioned behind the intersection are easier to see. We do not have to twist our heads trying to look at them. The stop line is clearly marked on pavement and there are additional signs on the curb next to the stop line saying "on red light stop here" which help when the road is covered with snow and the stop line is poorly visible.

--- End quote ---

Probably a matter of what you are used to.

Frankly, I've had my problems with the US traffic light positioning and couldn't make myself used to it in months (at least to me, way more difficult than getting used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road in UK and Ireland).

With traffic lights in front of the intersection, you are not to blame if the lights change *while* you are on it, its just matters what they were when you entered it.
boffin:

--- Quote from: mfro on March 10, 2020, 02:10:57 pm ---Isn't that US red light thing (at least partly) caused by your (at least to most of us Europeans) strange positioning of traffic lights in general?

In Europe (and most other regions I've seen), traffic lights are positioned *in front* of the crossroads while yours are located *behind*. If we pass the red light (or even - at least in Germany - the yellow in its last phase), we are screwed. No discussion whatsoever.

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In BC (traffic laws are actually by Province in Canada, and by state in the USA); there are two different tickets

Entering a traffic intersection on Yellow, and exiting when it's Red is - BCMVA 128 (1)(a) - $167 + 2 pts
Entering a traffic intersection on Red - BCMVA 129 (1) - $167 + 2 pts

Weirdly the former used to be a cheaper ticket than the latter, but they both appear to have the same penalty now; and more stupidly, speeding carries more penalty points.


digsys:
Doing a huge 20,000mile road trip around USA (from OZ) many years ago, I was constantly bemused by the different traffic light / road marking rules in nearly every state. Funniest was that I was constantly parked out in the MIDDLE of an intersection, at a RED light, and suddenly reminded of where I was !! Hilarity often ensued :-)
It's bad enough you folks drive on the wrong side :-) .. some of the other states idiosyncrasies were just as amusing :-)
james_s:

--- Quote from: digsys on March 11, 2020, 12:16:03 am ---Doing a huge 20,000mile road trip around USA (from OZ) many years ago, I was constantly bemused by the different traffic light / road marking rules in nearly every state. Funniest was that I was constantly parked out in the MIDDLE of an intersection, at a RED light, and suddenly reminded of where I was !! Hilarity often ensued :-)
It's bad enough you folks drive on the wrong side :-) .. some of the other states idiosyncrasies were just as amusing :-)

--- End quote ---

That's what you get in a country that is a union of individual states each with a fair bit of autonomy and the ability to make their own state laws are in addition to the federal laws that cover everywhere. On top of that you get laws on top of laws on top of laws, they're always adding new ones but very rarely clearing out old ones that may not make a lot of sense anymore. It's often easier to just work around what the law requires than try to change the law to be more sensible. While I've never done it, I suspect you'd experience the same sort of thing if you drove around the EU.
digsys:

--- Quote from: james_s --- ...  I suspect you'd experience the same sort of thing if you drove around the EU.
--- End quote ---
LOL .. I drove a tourist bus around EU (and all of middle east / asia / india / africa etc) for years, in the 70s, and the rules (back then) were VERY different, and surprisingly simpler :-)
EU Eastern countries - just follow the "herd" ... DO NOT break this rule and follow supposed road rules. eg If the "herd" disobeys traffic lights or signs, you do too. Easy. Western countries - Keep to all road rules, except during "rush" hours, then follow the "herd". One EXCEPTION: Germany: Drive FAST and always be the "alpha" driver. If you can't be "alpha", keep up with him, and always spend 50% of your concentration looking out for cops.
All the other continents I listed - keep a BIG supply of cigarette cartons and Johnny walker whisky - donate 1 of each ! NO MORE ! to every stoppage. Other than that, ALL options are legit - including footpaths / wrong side of the road / one way streets the wrong way :-)
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