h a l f b a k e r yMay contain nuts.
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I came across a traffic accident today and noticed something new (at least new around here). In addition to the flashing lights on the police car there was a row of yellow caution lights blinking in a row right below them. Now, one of the reasons for the particular jam that occurred this time was that
people kept changing lines trying to guess which one was the clear one that would make it by the stoppage. It doesn't seem like it would be hard to come up with a bar of caution lights that could be raised on an antenna to a height several feet above the police car. The cop could then flip a switch and have the strip of caution lights become arrows pointing to the clear lane. That way people could find out a lot sooner and cause less confusion trying to guess which way to go. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have the same kind of system mounted on ambulances and fire trucks too.
This idea sounds so obvious, some country somewhere must be smart enough to already have something like it up and running already.
[link]
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Sounds like Oregon's getting there. But this was on a heavily-trafficked road in the suburbs with no billboards or special trucks. You can always count on the police showing up though. This would just let them bring the warning signs with them. |
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I like it. Trucks do exist with this, but they're never going to be driven to an accident scene. Cops are usually the first ones there. |
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I don't know why people can't just have their accidents right in front of the trucks. Or somewhere off the motorway entirely. |
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It'd be nice if they could put up a sign
as to wtf all the fuss is about so
everybody doesn't slow down to
rubberneck. |
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[Eugene] that wouldn't stop rubberneckers. I hate those guys, but even so I find myself wanting to catch a glimpse of what's happening and, maybe, slowing down a bit to facilitate the viewing. I'm just a hypocrite, I guess. |
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From what I've seen, having forewarning of what lane is closed can actually be counter-productive, since there will always be people who insist on riding the dead lane all the way to the blockage and then scooting in, which causes more jam. Again, hypocritically, I do this myself. My theory is that, if everybody formed two lanes, then merged nicely at the narrowed part, everyone would get their turn and no one would be able to shove ahead and make things worse. |
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In other words, maybe it would be better not to have any indication at all which lane is blocked until you reach the crux. |
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Funny, I only ever seem to notice accidents, flames and general mayhem in my rear view mirror side mirror thingies... They're never there when I'm distracted from my book by the furor, and glance out of the front window. |
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This is very baked in CT, USA. They have roving trucks for this purpose. Each city has a designated crew of trucks, for this purpose. |
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They also use the overhead "Amber Alert" signs, to alert you of a collision that is in your path. The time from event to display, is usually under five minutes. |
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I'm not saying this is widely known to exist, it is in most of the larger metros in the US. Otherwise I would give the idea a + for intent, and another+, just because. |
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