Re: [Vic] Tram & Pedestrian Accident Today

[John Dennis <jdennis@acslink.net.au>]

On Wed, 22 Dec 1999 15:34:21 +1100, "John Kerley"
<deaftech@ozemail.com.au> wrote:

>
>David McLoughlin <davemcl@AXE*THISiprolink.co.nz> wrote in message
>38603c88@news.iprolink.co.nz">news:38603c88@news.iprolink.co.nz...
>> John Kerley wrote:
>>
>> > When I got my licence (35 years ago!) all controlled intersections with
>> > trams required a hook turn.
>>
>> When I was really small, I remember out in the suburbs, there were
>> intersections with really odd clock-dial like traffic signals, with a
>> clock-like face that had red, amber and green painted around the outside
>> of the circle, and an arm that swept around the face like a second-hand.
>> They worked like traffic lights. If the signal facing you had its
>> sweeping arm on green you could go, on red stop, etc. Some of these
>> intersections I also recall with traffic lights as well.

Yes, remember them well.  Very common in the south eastern bayside
suburbs - I remember them at Warrigal Road and (Lower?) Dandenong
Road, and at many place down the Nepean Highway.

>Geelong also had funny traffic lights.  In the middle of the intersection
>there was a single pole with a series horizontal red and green tubes facing
>each of the four directions.  

I remember these too, although I tend to think they didn't last quite
as long as the clockface indicators.

One other interesting point, since an aus.rail-er currently resident
in NZ is reading.  When we moved to Auckland in 1974, the road rules
required drivers turning right from main roads in the country to pull
over to the left, and turn when clear.  Much like a hook turn - and
when you consider the ramifications of being confronted by a
stationary car in the middle of the road waiting to turn right, not
such a silly idea.  Of course, the same NZ road rules back then stated
that when two drivers are turning right at an intersection, the "rules
of courtesy apply".

Strange country, New Zealand.

JD

==========================================================
John Dennis                         jdennis@acslink.net.au
Melbourne                                  denjo02@cai.com
Australia                   Home of the Dutton Bay Tramway
DBT URL:       http://www.acslink.net.au/~jdennis/dbt.html