Originally Posted by
jdmitch
1) Yeah, that's typical intersection mentality around here.
2) Wow... that Jacket is bright. Which one is it? Also, if I'm not mistaken you've got some style of reflective gloves as well? I tried checking your visibility website as well as searching the forums for "tron jacket" and no luck.
It's a neon-lime shell that I ironed 3M reflective tape onto. The result isn't pretty when you look at it up close, and the tape is prone to peeling, but it reflects well when dry. I also ironed some 3M tape onto the gloves.
They're going to try to beat the yellow light regardless of whether you're there or not. You're also ahead of the cars that they're following. They're looking at the light and the other cars, not at you. Doesn't matter how Tron-like you dress.
Then, if you can't get far enough in that short time between reds and greens to get out of the way of the other traffic that has to start from a standstill, you're either too slow, or it'll just be safer to do a box turn instead.
I certainly hope my safety never comes down to just the motorists' ability to see me, but I still value being highly visible at close range in these situations. One time last year, commuting in the dark, I failed to see an oncoming car at a major intersection, and
did make my left turn across its path. D'oh!
It didn't lay into a complete lockup, but it was braking hard enough to dive the front end. Never say never...