Are We Better Off Without Traffic Lights?

Are traffic lights authoritarian and roundabouts libertarian? I got thinking about this today as I drove to and from Guildford and in both directions came across a rather complicated junction where the traffic lights were not working meaning that vehicles coming from all directions and turning all ways had to 'negotiate' with each other as to how we were going to proceed. It all worked very safely, politely and effectively.

Roundabouts (or a lack of traffic lights) allow people to manage themselves. They have freedom to act on instinct and common sense, free of the interference of an outside, bossy and largely incompetent force (traffic lights). When traffic is light, roundabouts work because they don't needlessly stop traffic. When traffic is heavy, they arguably still work, because the traffic simply feeds in and the system just seems to work.

Roundabouts produce consistent, fluid motion, whilst at the same time allowing heavier routes to gain dominance, thereby creating fair outcomes. Traffic lights are hardly ever as sophisticated, and they bossily dictate who has right of way.

Take the mini roundabout for instance. They are brilliant. If there are three exits and entrances, and at each junction feeding in, there is a vehicle waiting, poised to go, you will notice something. Sometimes, each driver will be sat there, much like a lemon, looking to their right to see if that person is going to make a move. Because all three drivers are doing this, for a brief moment, no-one will go. Eventually, someone will make a move. Roundabouts are great, because they allow the dominant, responsibility-taking driver to capitalise, and this exploitation by the dominant driver is helpful to the driver to his or her right, because it gives them a chance to go also, and so on. Everyone wins, but the one with the most gumption gets to go first. In other words, roundabouts encourage independent thought, common sense and responsibility.

Traffic lights are the exact opposite. They are a very authoritarian function in our cities, towns and villages. I'd like to see the evidence that traffic lights help the traffic or marshall congestion effectively and efficiently. I think a road pilot in London a few years back demonstrated that the road that was bereft of speed humps, markings and lights saw traffic move slower and more thoughtfully. Indeed, increasingly streets are being designed where people, bikes and vehicles interact more freely with fewer formal demarcations and there appears to be some evidence that this leads to safer spaces for all involved.

With traffic lights, there are those countless occasions where it's quiet, no-one is about and you're stuck at a red light. Or even worse, you're cruising along at a nice speed and then you have to pull up sharp because the lights decided that was enough. You had to stop and give way to a hedgehog or even worse a badger. Or indeed nothing at all. Then you're sat there thinking, "if I run this now, will I get away with it?" as you furtively scan the area for cameras and hidden police officers.

So, in conclusion, I say "three cheers for the roundabout" and boos all round for the authoritarian traffic light!!