Traffic lights but no stop line - confused.

DB_SamX · 8 May 2015 at 20:38

I was driving along this A road for the first time Thursday morning and there were a set of part time traffic lights up ahead, which were in operation at the time (830 am). I started slowing down as it changed from green to yellow and there was a few cars ahead. I carried on slowing down forward thinking I would see the stop line ahead so I could stop but there wasn't one! By that time, I had virtually crossed the lights, which may have turned red in the meantime, and it was too late to stop so just carried on.

It got me worried I totally missed the stop line, but I checked on Streetview and it looks like it was deliberately erased. I drove back the opposite way that evening, and it is the same thing.

First time I have come across this - is not having a stop line legal/normal?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.0...!1e1!3m2!1suyP_lDLN6KwHgvrT6Wtk_A!2e0!6m1!1e1

Pants · 8 May 2015 at 20:41

I wonder if it's because they are only "part time". Like when you have to stop at a sign for temp traffic lights, there is no line then either.

No come across it before though.

daffy4895 · 8 May 2015 at 20:53

In 2012 the Traffic Signs Regulations was amended and a stop line is now only needed if deemed necessary by the local authority, if no line is present then you should stop level with the traffic lights. You wont see if often as local authorities are now encouraged not to use part time signals

Richie · 8 May 2015 at 22:36

Not sure why you need a line to tell you where to stop.... The lights are at red, stop at the lights :confused:

Do you need a line to tell you where to stand to pee?

mattyg · 8 May 2015 at 22:38

Richie said:
Not sure why you need a line to tell you where to stop.... The lights are at red, stop at the lights

Do you need a line to tell you where to stand to pee?

Because at some junctions you need to pull up short of the lights so HGV's and buses coming from your left can make it round the corner.

DB_SamX · 8 May 2015 at 22:55

Richie said:
Not sure why you need a line to tell you where to stop.... The lights are at red, stop at the lights

Do you need a line to tell you where to stand to pee?

Agreed the usually the line is at or before the lights, but they are there for a purpose. If traffic lights were enough to tell someone to stop, why bother painting them everywhere else there are traffic lights?

If the rules changed a few years ago, I had no idea. I am not sure how you're supposed to find that out. :confused:

Fuzz · 8 May 2015 at 23:39

Richie said:
Not sure why you need a line to tell you where to stop.... The lights are at red, stop at the lights

Do you need a line to tell you where to stand to pee?

I'm with Richie.
You've got to be brain dead to see the lights go red yet drive through them because there was no line telling you where to stop.
How about engaging your brain instead of the clutch!

neoboy · 9 May 2015 at 03:26

Don't see a problem, it's hardly a complicated junction so can tell where you're suppose to stop.

Rroff · 9 May 2015 at 03:40

Can see where the line used to be.

Having a line does make it easier to coordinate I guess.

Richie · 9 May 2015 at 07:23

mattyg said:
Because at some junctions you need to pull up short of the lights so HGV's and buses coming from your left can make it round the corner.

DB_SamX said:
Agreed the usually the line is at or before the lights, but they are there for a purpose. If traffic lights were enough to tell someone to stop, why bother painting them everywhere else there are traffic lights?

If the rules changed a few years ago, I had no idea. I am not sure how you're supposed to find that out.

Yes, and at those junctions there are painted stop lines but to drive through lights just because there is no stop line, or be confused enough not to stop because there is no line, is just daft.

supergluechris · 9 May 2015 at 09:56

Ah. The hursley lights.... Just don't drive through them when they're active

which is 7-9am and 3-5pm I think. Peak times mostly. They've been there for years and when I've had to stop I just stop at the first set and use the one from the middle island as the indicator as to when to go.

ADT · 9 May 2015 at 12:26

Could it be because of the part time signals?

Orionaut · 9 May 2015 at 15:41

daffy4895 said:
as local authorities are now encouraged not to use part time signals

Why not???

On the face of it, they seem a good idea to me (Lights on when traffic is heavy to give joining/turning traffic a chance, off when traffic is light and opportunities for joining/turning arise naturally)

WithMyApologies · 9 May 2015 at 21:19

Orionaut said:
Why not???

On the face of it, they seem a good idea to me (Lights on when traffic is heavy to give joining/turning traffic a chance, off when traffic is light and opportunities for joining/turning arise naturally)

For T-junctions and roundabouts, traffic lights should all be part-time IMO. There's literally no point in them being on at say 2am when you're the only car around and you have to stop. I could simply approach the junction/roundabout like any normal one, and drive when safe.

Considering all the guidance on energy saving nowadays, it seems to be a rather large waste of energy to have these running at all hours all over the UK.

(Yes, there may be some places where this is standard, but the majority I see are on all the time)

Scania · 9 May 2015 at 21:59

mattyg said:
Because at some junctions you need to pull up short of the lights so HGV's and buses coming from your left can make it round the corner.

Indeed this, although many drivers don't and then sit looking at you (the driver of the HGV) in a confused manner when presented with a truck inches from their car, unable to make the turn.

Alas common sense is lacking in many drivers.

Scougar · 11 May 2015 at 04:14

No stop lines.. man if you think that is a problem, try driving over here. The roads are a complete nightmare to traverse, and that's without the chaotic drivers.

Dr Who · 11 May 2015 at 07:20

mattyg said:
Because at some junctions you need to pull up short of the lights so HGV's and buses coming from your left can make it round the corner.

And if that is the case they will include a stop line.

Rule of thumb is stop short enough so that you can see where the sign enters the ground.