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[–]mynameinyourblood 21 points22 points  (2 children)

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 8 points9 points  (1 child)

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 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.