Congestion due to traffic lights. Debate

[Toleman]

On big rounderbouts why do they have traffic lights? As a matter off fact most towns are cluttered with traffic lights which seem to cause congestion. Do you notice that when the lights are broken it all runs so much more smoothly?

If they were to turn all traffic lights (except padestrian crossings) off for a day what would the pradicted outcome be?

More crashes, deaths, less congestion or a mix of all 3?

[Toureman]

It would be a mix of all three.

Some traffic lights are essential.

Some traffic lights are not necessary.

Some traffic lights cause congestion and some don't.

[kwicky]

Not all traffic lights cause congestion and some are really necessary especially in London. An ideal situation is along Marylenone Road (about 1 mile in length) where traffic lights are about every 200 yards but are synchronized by computer and driving at a constant steady speed will ensure that you pass through each on green without stopping.

[tubeway]

If you want to see what chaos bad traffic lights can cause - the lights on M11 J7/A414 hastingwood interchange sometimes go out of phase. This is a busy junction at the best of times, but causes total gridlock causing tailbacks for miles throughout Harlow, Epping and miles of tailbacks on the M11 - and yes everything seems to run moch better when the lights are not working at all.

[fiesata]

They do it to slow the traffic and then introduce road pricing - or am I just an old cynic?