Re: Getting into the City

John wrote:
"PC Paul" <urd2@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:wMGpi.3854$By5.3374@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John wrote:
"PC Paul" <urd2@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ELFpi.3807$By5.2450@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John wrote:
Imagine - I join the main road into my city centre at a roundabout. I consider this to be the back of the queue.

Between me and the traffic lights where I need to cross the Ring Road are about 100 cars. The traffic lights give a green signal every 4 minutes and approx 15 cars go through.

However, every (approx) third car in front is driven by "MrNice and not in a Hurry" who feels the need to stop and let a car out of a side turning (rat-run) or out of one of the blocks of flats that have replaced low occupancy homes since the lights were programmed.

Question: How long will it take me to get to the traffic lights?

Also - just on the other side of the traffic lights are even more new blocks of flats - so "Mr Nice and not in a Hurry" will slam his brakes on to let someone join the flow - probably leaving me stranded in the middle of the junction - Arghhhhh!


If the main roads are in a permanent queueing state, how did you manage to join them?

Did somebody let you out, maybe?
I joined the back of the queue at a roundabout. Traffic is only heavy in one direction.

Incidentally, I needed to turn right out of a cul-de-sac yesterday. A car - with one behind it stopped and waved me out - but from my left there was a funeral cortege. The guy who stopped got angry that I waved him on. If I had accepted his 'give way' I would have T Boned the Hearse or sat in the lane waiting for the traffic to pass - holding everything up.

The point I hope to make is that giving way usually inconveniences others and in general it is best to follow the rules of the road. I would rather an approaching car get past me and leave the road clear for me to make my mind up than have someone encourage me out of a turning when there are other factors to consider. Likewise - Mr Nice and not in a Hurry should consider the needs of the traffic behind him before reversing the rules of the road and giving priority to traffic at Give Way lines.
As with many things, it's a balance. If there is a gap visible behind me, I don't let people out. If there is solid traffic, then I'll let somebody out. Not everybody, just one or two.

Otherwise we just end up gridlocked. It just depends which side of the give way line you're on.

I almost agree with you - but I know of a few side roads that are rat-runs (the cars could have done what I do - that is go to the back of the queue) - I do not let anyone out of these turns - the car behind me can if he wishes.
So often if you let a car in it appears that they feel the need to do the same at the next junction - and so it goes on.
All in favour of courtesy and safety - but not in favour of reversing the rules of priorities.



Not letting people in from rat runs is different from 'not at all' which is where you started. I can happily meet you in the middle on that one.

Not so sure about passing on the favour - if I let somebody out and they let somebody else out, that's fair enough. As lng as it isn't a case of 'I let one out, they let 27 out' which can get a bit silly.

I'd be interested to hear where you stand on zip merging at lane closures, though...


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  • Re: Getting into the City
    ... Between me and the traffic lights where I need to cross the Ring Road ... every third car in front is driven by "MrNice and ... side turning or out of one of the blocks of flats that have ... I joined the back of the queue at a roundabout. ...
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  • Re: Getting into the City
    ... Between me and the traffic lights where I need to cross the Ring Road ... every third car in front is driven by "MrNice and not ... I joined the back of the queue at a roundabout. ... of the road and giving priority to traffic at Give Way lines. ...
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