I’d like an advance please

I’ve written a few articles about route planning over the years. It never seems to get old. Sometimes, it pays to be a little creative to getting to your destination on time. Are you a creative driver when it comes to saving time while driving?

Every day that I head out to my office, I have to make a left turn at a very busy intersection. If there’s enough traffic, an advanced green arrow shows up and I can make this turn without difficulty and without having to wait for oncoming traffic to pass. Why wait a few cycles of traffic lights before being able to make the turn, right?

At this particular intersection there are sensors in the pavement which trigger when there are 3 or more vehicles waiting to turn left from the left turning lane. The sensor is built into the road, but only from the third vehicle back. If I’m the first or second vehicle in line and stop “normally” at the stop line or crosswalk, the sensors aren’t triggered. Therefore, I need to wait further back so the green arrow comes on. This helps me get to my destination sooner and without the risk of waiting any longer than needed in the intersection.

For the most part in most jurisdictions, you can see a square or rectangle cut into the pavement near the intersection; as if someone used a saw and make a cut. This lets you know there’s a sensor cut into the pavement. To help explain how sensors work, try this link. http://bit.ly/lEGyk5 It’s a great explanation and shows a diagram to help understand how it works.

Once you know a sensor is secured within the pavement of your turning lane, stay back so your vehicle is sitting on it whenever you’re sitting at a red light, even if there aren’t any other vehicles waiting in the left turning lane with you. Only move forward when you see vehicles approaching you from behind or when the light changes from red to the advanced green arrow. By moving forward when the vehicles approach you from behind, you’re allowing those vehicles to sit on the sensor without you having to be well back from the intersection. It also helps you control traffic behind.

Many times I’ll find myself alone in the left turning lane but with many vehicles approaching me from the opposite direction. If I went up to the stopping line, I would have to wait longer before making my left turn and sitting there can be dangerous. Don’t forget that making a left turn at a traffic light is the most dangerous action most drivers do every day. So why not do something to make it safer for everyone involved?