Nearly got into accident making left in White Plans (stupid traffic light) (White Plains: car, pay)

[Zytos]

I started a new job recently and now have the occasion to drive to White Plains once in a while. Whilst driving I nearly got broadsided because of the following, stupid light in this stupid town:

I have a green light. I am making a left turn. There is a left-turn lane. I slowly inch into the intersection, still behind the green light, as one does when one anticipates turning left. Now, normally, as a light goes yellow, then to red, a driver is supposed to make his left turn as oncoming traffic stops, and before perpendicular traffic gets their green light. As a cruel trick, this traffic light was still green to the oncoming traffic. After 25+ years of driving, I have never seen this happen. Nor did I have any reason to believe this would happen. So I narrowly avoided getting hit.

What the hell? Is this a stupid White Plains/Westchester thing? Really, this is objectively dumb, is it not?

[fumbling]

How could you see that the light was green to oncoming traffic when it was yellow to you? Otherwise I agree both ways of traffic should see the exact same light.

[josmyth]

This is quite common, but usually there is a sign that says "oncoming traffic has extended green".

[Charles22]

Originally Posted by josmyth

This is quite common, but usually there is a sign that says "oncoming traffic has extended green".

It can't be that common.

[beer belly]

I've seen this on occasion. The problem is the person making the turn when the light turns from Yellow (Proceed with caution) to Red (Stop)....when making the turn across traffic on anything other than a Green Light or Green Arrow, expect possible problems

[Zytos]

Originally Posted by fumbling

How could you see that the light was green to oncoming traffic when it was yellow to you? Otherwise I agree both ways of traffic should see the exact same light.

You're right, I couldn't. I figured out the light was green to oncoming traffic when they went through the light and nearly hit me.

[Zytos]

Originally Posted by josmyth

This is quite common, but usually there is a sign that says "oncoming traffic has extended green".

I did later see this sign. My mistake I guess.

The offending light is at the intersection of Mamaroneck Ave. and Quarropas St. in White Plains.

[ANM1982]

Originally Posted by Charles22

It can't be that common.

I see them often enough around Westchester

[streetsmart]

The problem really is that once you've entered the intersection, you're stuck out there until the oncoming traffic stops. You just have to really pay attention to the traffic and not the light, which you should be doing anyways. You can't assume that people will stop, not around here where everyone is in a hurry.

I've seen lights like this in a few places. It's really disconcerting when you're that car in the middle of the intersection staring at a red light wondering when you're going to get a chance to turn.

[ponytrekker]

Red means red.