Traffic light switch: If they didn’t die, then they’re still standing today
If you want to enter Langen Weg via Gumppstraße, you need patience – a lot of patience. The traffic light system is equipped with a sensor that is supposed to recognize waiting vehicles. Often enough, however, it does not do this and special cyclists are not recognized. The traffic light stays red, but anyone who enters the intersection is liable to prosecution.
INNSBRUCK. Numerous traffic lights in the city are equipped with sensors that look like a spherical webcam. These sensors, which are actually useful, ensure that certain traffic lights are only switched to green when there are actually vehicles at the traffic light and allow other road users to move forward more quickly. You can tell that you have been noticed by the sensor by a small red light that IS attached in the upper area and starts to light up as soon as you approach the traffic light. The traffic lights in Gumppstraße entering Langen Weg are also equipped with such a sensor, which regulates these traffic lights at least from the late evening hours. Cyclists are not recognized by this, but a recent local inspection also shows that cars in the left-turn lane are not always recognized.
“Red is Red”
Only by repeatedly pushing forwards and backwards, coupled with an attempt to get into the other lane or with the help of a cyclist standing next to it, were road users able to activate the sensor and get the traffic light to switch to green. Especially if you are cycling at night, you should avoid the intersection of Gumppstraße and Langer Weg. Waiting times of more than ten minutes are not uncommon and usually end with a traffic violation. At the request of the BezirksBlätter editors, the Innsbruck Traffic Inspectorate declared “Red is red, you learn that when you take your driver’s license test.” The State Police Directorate also explains that you are not allowed to drive into the intersection when the light is red. When asked what to do in the case in question, the traffic inspector said that if the traffic light actually does not turn green, the police emergency call should be dialled. Penalties of up to 726 euros are due for red light violations. Trial driver’s license holder, there is also a risk of retraining.
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