raffic lights could be switched off at night
Traffic lights could be turned off or switched to flashing amber on quiet roads at night.
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The Department for Transport is carrying out research to see whether the existing use of traffic lights around the clock is justified.
One council, Portsmouth, has applied to the DfT, volunteering to carry out the trials on behalf of the Government.
"It can be extremely frustrating if you are on the road at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning and forced to stop at a red light when no other cars are around,” said Barry Rawlings, senior traffic systems engineer at Portsmouth City Council.
“Turning the lights to flashing amber in these quiet periods would allow motorists to stop and go as they wish and keep delays to a minimum.”
But it is understood that Portsmouth will have to wait until the DfT has completed its own research and even then legislation would be needed before the council would be allowed to turn off the lights.
"The Department is currently investigating new options for the use of traffic signals when traffic volumes are low,” said Norman Baker, the local transport minister.
“However, in the interests of safety, it is important to ensure that any signalling technique provides a consistent and unambiguous message to all road users."
Flashing amber lights are commonplace in other countries including France and Spain. In opposition the Tories had voiced concern at what Theresa Villiers, then the party’s transport spokesman, called the proliferation of traffic lights.
But Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA, voiced concern at the proposals. "It sounds like a great idea but I have concerns about how a trial can be implemented safely,” he said.
"By switching lights to flashing amber you may improve traffic flow, cut journey times and reduce pollution but it is not without its faults.
"First, there is the issue of who has priority if two cars reach the junction at the same time.
"The idea that drunks and young drivers are going to get to the flashing lights after midnight and say 'after you' is nonsense.”
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