Does pressing the "pedestrian" button at TRAFFIC lights really make any difference? I don't think it does.

I think traffic lights follow a sequence even if you press the button. - at least it appears so in Navan, Co Meath. I think it is a type of "Placebo" appearing to give you a choice. The traffic lights change in sequence and the "little green man" come on also in sequence irrespective of you pressing the button or not.
NB. I am not talking about dedicated PEDESTRIAN crossings.

TimaciousT

In some cases when we are replacing a pole we don't even bother to hook it up. shhhhhh.

pcolawing88

in my experience, the button works better in some places than in others.

Beezer

I always thought the same, but felt i was paranoid now i know there is more of us

john d

no it only tells you when to cross ie: when you push the button it tells you above the button wait on pedestrian it goes through a sequence and the lights tells the on coming traffic to stop

evil_kandykid

In some areas it is just there for looks. Kids do like to push buttons, maybe they keep it to amuse them.

In some areas it does matter, especially at times when there is little traffic.

StephenWeinstein

Yes. I have seen intersections that stay continuously at "Don't Walk" (red hand) through the entire sequence, unless someone press the button.

asimenia

It makes a difference in Greece - the cars speed up!

button moon

im my town theres is a group of four traffice lights and as i driver i know these go in sequence not if somebody has pressed has pressed, the sequence for the cars has never changed even though all lights have buttons, and when im walking i look to see what cars are going next because i know this, and dont bother pressing the button, so in my town, so it doesnt make a difference

Doctor John

I think that you are correct; how much money has therefore been wasted manufacturing and affixing said buttons. A full government inquiry is called for.

for some reason... sometimes I felt that they did not work. But something is for sure: when you approach to a red light your tires touch sensors on the ground (little black lines on the intersections) and the light will turn green really soon, that is the reason why sometimes at night time if there is nobody on the left turn side waiting to turn, the arrows wont turn green to turn left. So... even if they are on sequence.... they do change quicker

the rocket

Yes it sends a message to the light operating unit to instruct it that a pedestrian is waiting to cross.

wizjp

In VA, it makes an almost instant change

UCANTCME

IT DIFFERS FROM STATE TO STATE.............

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL (DMV) DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFFICE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL BE GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.

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