Traffic lights out + drivers not stopping = RAGE!!!!

[blainehamilton]

We had a pretty bad storm in Edmonton this afternoon, I was travelling around the city for work.

Many traffic lights were out completely or flashing red all 4 ways at intersections all over the city.

Normally, a good driver would treat the intersection as a 4 way stop. Instead, people were breezing thru intersections without stopping, not yielding to the driver on the right, and just about hit me on several occasions.

About 4 blocks from my house, I stopped for a set of lights flashing red all 4 ways, and then headed into the intersection. A driver coming from my right had to lock up all 4 wheels and laid on his horn since he had no intention of stopping for his flashing red.

Some drivers are such jackasses. I am all for mandatory road testing EVERY year.

[circumventer]

I am all for mandatory road testing EVERY year.

not me; but yea a$$hole movement. Pig should of been there.

[Si98]

Road testing is a huge joke in Alberta thanks to former premier Ralph Klein who privatized the services.

[randomdef]

Road testing is a huge joke in Alberta thanks to former premier Ralph Klein who privatized the services.

these are not alberta drivers, these are the imports from the boom.

[bembol]

Re-taking a test every year doesn't make sense if the test itself is a joke like here in the GTA.

This was one reasons why GTA was backed up when we had the inFamous Black Out!!


I can't remember back then but now 680 News reminds drivers to treat it as 4-Way Stop.

[Matty]

I've been driving in Ontario -- GTA region -- for the past 5 yrs. I've experienced lights out prob 10 times (?). I'm an EXTREMELY attentive driver, so I keep my eyes on other cars big time. Yet I have not noticed a single "lights-out" runner here. In Montreal (20 yrs exp. there; known for bad drivers), saw it only prob 5 times.

[Kellster]

This is nothing new. The average common, simple person is selfish and mindless....they just don't care about anybody other than themself.

[blainehamilton]

With the big storm yesterday, a lot of intersections were out. I'd have to say 30 or so that I went thru during my travels during the day.

[number8888]

Reminds me of the time we got a massive black-out on the entire east coast a few years back. It was pure agony to drive home with every traffic light out in the city. I am surprised there weren't more accidents.

Situations like this are extremely uncommon so most drivers don't realize/remember the rules. I don't think more testing will help in that regard.
Also I don't want to waste a day every year just to get tested.

[umop]

I've always wondered how exactly you're supposed to act in those situations, especially with huge intersections (like the ones which have three lanes in each direction, plus the left-turn lane).

I'd imagine there'd be multiple cars that come to a stop at the same time from every direction.

Wouldn't it be nearly impossible for you to keep track of what cars were already stopped when you stopped, and what order they can proceed?

Then you'd have those who'd skip their turn, messing up the order.

Or are you supposed to be a bit aggressive, and assert your way through after you've stopped?

[Emancipated]

I've always wondered how exactly you're supposed to act in those situations, especially with huge intersections (like the ones which have three lanes in each direction, plus the left-turn lane).

I'd imagine there'd be multiple cars that come to a stop at the same time from every direction.

Wouldn't it be nearly impossible for you to keep track of what cars were already stopped when you stopped, and what order they can proceed?

Then you'd have those who'd skip their turn, messing up the order.

Or are you supposed to be a bit aggressive, and assert your way through after you've stopped?

You certainly don't punch it giving due consideration for other's inability to operate a vehicle properly. Just last year around Bathurst/Bloor all the way to High Park (at least) were blacked out and there wasn't even a light to speak of and we had snow! This past winter I think it was. Imagine pitch dark, no lights except people's headlights and slush on the ground compounded by the fact that people were still crossing the roads blindly. That's even more dangerous. A stretch of road that normally takes 5 minutes took probably close to an hour as we all gingerly drove stopped, drove... etc. had to watch for idiotic pedestrians more than anything else. It was brutal.

[frank358fr]

nice

[nornet]

these are not alberta drivers, these are the imports from the boom.

How can one determine this?

[randomdef]

How can one determine this?

because there were not as many aggressive drivers on the road 7 years ago, but the boom hit and its like driving in Cambodia now. Edmonton changed quiet a bit from the boom.

and by imports, I don't mean immigrants, I mean people from other provinces, the east coast in particular.

[xdragus]

My friend almost got t-boned last saturday storm hit us at intersection when the power was out. Everyone treated it as a 4 way stop except a woman in a SUV pretty much just ran right through at 70-80km/h.