Larry Scholnick wrote:
> While driving in our nation's capital yesterday, I saw a configuration that really seemed to make no
> sense.
>
> The signal cycle began with a left green-arrow (with a red ball) for both eastbound and westbound
> traffic. However, the leftmost lane was marked for Straight OR Left. As a result, if the first car
> in the left lane was not turning left (which he wasn't required to do), nobody moved during the left
> green-arrow cycle. Once the left green-arrow went out and the green ball came on, that first car
> proceeded and the line stopped when the first car that wanted to turn left got to the intersection
> and waited for oncoming traffic.
>
> It seems like left green-arrows are almost useless when there isn't a dedicated left-turn lane.
> Does this really work out somehow? Am I missing something?

The only times I've seen a left-arrow without a left turn lane are at
lights where traffic going straight and left (from ONE direction) get
the green at the same time.

Otherwise, as you say, the moron who designed the setup should be fired.