No Traffic Lights (movies, law, dangerous)

[Cosmosandmind]

If you want to see how thin the veneer of civilization is, observe Long Island drivers with no traffic lights. It's every person for themselves out there.

Commute to work on parkway lighter than usual but say your prayers when you get to main intersections without traffic lights. I saw 3 near misses this morning and most drivers are not courteous and do not observe the rule of 4 way stop. it's really crazy and dangerous. Long Islanders and no traffic lights do not mix.

I can only imagine how the evening commute will be when there are more cars on the road and at those non working traffic lights. Not looking forward to it.

[veryangry]

It's the wild wild west! Most lights on my commute were back on today. Only a handful on 347 remain out.

[ovi8]

I'm pretty sure it's because they don't even know to treat it as a stop sign. This is not some widely known rule or frequent occurence even if it is in a manual. Usually cops direct traffic when a light is out.

[lubby]

Yes, treat it like a stop sign but unfortunately many people aren't and that's why so many accidents are occuring.

[Cosmosandmind]

Originally Posted by lubby

Yes, treat it like a stop sign but unfortunately many people aren't and that's why so many accidents are occurring.

I get that it is an obscure law and one that most people would not know but I think its more than that. You can still be courteous and and careful without knowing that law right? It's me first at the intersection and that's it, everyone else? Well, just out of luck.

Unbelievably, I saw this at a gas station last night too; long, long line of people patiently waiting and here comes a car or two that cuts to the front of the line (they were shouted down). Why do that? Could you not see the 50 cars already waiting? It goes back to my original statement, that the veneer of civilization is indeed, very thin. And in situations like this, the veneer is peeled back. Just makes me realize how easy and quickly civilization can disintegrate.

[Buckthedog]

Originally Posted by rh71

I'm pretty sure it's because they don't even know to treat it as a stop sign. This is not some widely known rule or frequent occurence even if it is in a manual. Usually cops direct traffic when a light is out.

It became a NYS law after the 2003 blackout, however, refresher training isnt required for driving

[twingles]

Originally Posted by Buckthedog

It became a NYS law after the 2003 blackout, however, refresher training isnt required for driving

I don't think so. I seem to remember learning this in driver's ed, and that was long before 2003.

People are always going to see what they can get away with, and this will bring it to a larger scale. Will anyone say anything if I cut the gas line? How about if I blow thru this intersection, the other car will probably see me and stop, right?

[bubbathedog]

Long Island drivers are rude when traffic controls are working, nevermind when they're not...

It's like driving in Mad-Max movies every day, storm or not.