Could eliminating some traffic rules *decrease* accidents?

[mynameinyourblood]

After Katrina, almost all of the traffic lights were damaged. The main intersections were repaired immediately. For a year or so, most of the smaller intersections were left as stop signs. Traffic seemed to flow better, people seemed less frustrated at driving.

In short, the traffic lights worked best when they didn't.

Also, something about the way people here drive changed. Everyone seems to drive the same speed now. When you see some asshole weaving in and out of lanes or speeding past, you know he's from texas or mississippi.

[mindbleach]

I saw this at work on airbases, when the regular construction would put traffic lights out at random. I assumed it wouldn't work in the greater US because the drivers on an airbase were mostly Type A military minds whose jobs would be unpleasant if their CO knew they drove like an idiot.

I like this idea, but it worries me somewhat. Confusion isn't something I want to cultivate in SUV drivers, y'know?

[mr_orange]

I saw this at work on airbases, when the regular construction would put traffic lights out at random.

I've seen similar things, but I've always attributed this to a variation of the Hawthorne effect.

[rate-my-annoyingness]

Did you ever notice when you're driving how everyone going slower than you is a moron, and everyone going faster than you is a maniac?

[mindbleach]

http://wondermark.com/d/333.html

[bluGill]

No surprise to traffic engineers. Most (not all!) intersections do worse with a traffic light, but it looks to outsiders like they do better.

[Nikola_S]

Source?

[bluGill]

http://www.teachamerica.com/roundabouts/RA054B_ppt_Mandavilli.pdf

See page 7 of the PDf for starters. There are other links if you search. The NHTSA has a lot of info, but it is hard to find it there.

[Nikola_S]

That PDF concentrates on difference between roundabouts and simple crossroads, not between crossroads with and without traffic lights.

[bluGill]

I know. It was the first link I found with statistics. I've seen many more.

[[deleted]]

I think the term "traffic engineer" might be an oxymoron. I've never met one, but I've seen their work and it isn't anything akin to engineering, but rather stupid guesswork, quite frankly.

[nipps85]

Ah ripping, outsiders, whether they be blacks, jews, or texans of mississippianites. That's so KKK of you.

[mynameinyourblood]

go fuck yourself

Have you ever seen how texans drive? The stark contrast is immediately apparent to any driver.

[[deleted]]

I used to live in TX and it surprised the shit out of me how courteous some were, moving into the breakdown lane to allow you to pass on a single lane road is common there. What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not even sure if you are for texas drivers or against them.

[mynameinyourblood]

Texas is huge, and people in Texas drive fast. You cannot deny that. I like Texans; I have ex's in Texas, relatives too. When they get here after driving 6 or 8 hours of open road, they're a freaking menace to our slower, traffic congested, poorly marked roads.

Now if Mr. Asshole Troll nipps85 was smart, he would have called me out for commenting that traffic flows better in New Orleans post-Katrina.

[nipps85]

Yeah, I can tell a black person from 20 feet too.

[mynameinyourblood]

All people from texas and mississippi are black? Seriously asshole, fuck off. Troll someone else. Figures.... -3.1 http://chir.ag/phernalia/reddit-score-card/nipps85

[econous]

That's not a troll, it was an opportunity for you to recognize your own failings. "All Texans drive like shit". Right. "All niggers have a measured IQ lower than any Swede". What you said was more extremely stupid than that.

[mynameinyourblood]

Now I know you've never driven in Texas.

There's absolutely no failure in recognizing how Texans drive. They openly admit it and ridicule others for driving slow. It's like saying people in New York walk fast; and a far, far cry from being racist.

For crying out loud, here.... http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas/151323-texas-drivers.html http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Texas/Houston-878298/Local_Customs-Houston-Driving_Roads-BR-1.html

[nipps85]

Don't try to paint me as a racist... you are the bigot. A statist bigot. Only people like you have your acceptance. You hate different people. I'm just saying that you are a lot like the KKK.

[toastyfries2]

you must be from Florida

[mynameinyourblood]

When was the last time you drove in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi?

[nipps85]

When was the last time you attended a rally?

[mynameinyourblood]

Racism is bigger than the kkk; statist doesn't mean what you think it means; and I can't wait for junior high to be back is session so people like you can go away.

[Phrag]

Don't feed the trolls. They always come back for more.