For the most part, Petaluma drivers like the “protected/ permissive” left-turn signals at  intersections, according to the Oct. 8, 2009 Argus-Courier online survey.
Most respondents also think that removing these “left on solid green” traffic signals will slow traffic flow and create longer wait times. And most do not think the signals are a safety hazard.
Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey:
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“When placed in minimally congested areas or during periods of minimal congestion, these permissive greens are fine. I dislike waiting for a left-turn arrow when nobody is around. Safety is the responsibility of the driver.”
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“The problem isn’t the signal itself, but the drivers with lack of judgment deciding to take your life in their hands as they turn into oncoming traffic. However, with the signal removed, it eliminates that lack of judgment, and with the proper signal timing, shouldn’t cause a backup.”
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“There need to be more of these in Petaluma since the traffic in town will get worse before it gets better.”
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“These are great. If not for them, you can sit and wait at some signals forever. The only people who don’t like them are the people who should not be driving in the first place. They don’t pay attention and don’t understand the words, ‘left turn on green when traffic is clear!’ If you can’t understand that, get off the road, because there are already too many bad drivers on it.”
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“Drivers just need to be safe when turning left. There is one on Petaluma Boulevard at Payran, and I don’t have a problem with it. The bigger problem is red-light runners.”
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“Isn’t this something that we had to learn in order to get our driver’s license?”
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“For roads without a long dedicated left-turn lane, removing permissive lefts on green will lead to gridlock. Accidents occur when people jump lights at the end of a cycle; this will happen regardless of whether there is a permissive left or a dedicated left.”
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“These signals help reduce carbon emissions; the less time you sit at a red light, the fewer emissions. Build more; most intersections controlled by a traffic signal should have one.”
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“All drivers need to be aware of what is happening around them. Some are totally oblivious to what is going on, especially those who are talking on their phones.”
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“If drivers would only follow the instructions on the signs, there would not be a big problem. Of course, you have to be able to read English. People in a hurry and lacking common sense are the real problem, not the lights. A number of these people should not be driving, period.”
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“I love ‘protected/permissive’ left-turn signals when theye’re in the right location. They absolutely do open up traffic flows. Just as important, they help reduce emissions caused by idling cars. At the very least, we need them at Lakeville and Petaluma Boulevard North, McDowell and Corona, and both Highway 101 on-ramps on Lakeville.”
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“If you cannot figure out these left-turn lights, stay off the road.”
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“Look at Europe. They have already know that these left turn signals are a safety hazard and eliminated them. Why are we so slow to get it ourselves?”
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“I think that they are a confusing option to many of our drivers who are talking, texting and otherwise not paying attention. They are also confusing to our many drivers who are over the age of 50 and are overwhelmed by the traffic.”
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“Anytime that the driver can choose what to do as opposed to a fixed signal leaves it to that driver’s discretion. Unfortunately, many drivers will take unnecessary risks, hoping that the other driver will watch out for them. Just watch the major intersections and see how many drivers go through red lights.”
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“They’re great for those drivers who pay attention to the serious task of driving safely. But I think that they are a hazard due to the lack of attention displayed by the average (majority) of drivers that I observe.”
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“The safety hazards are the drivers who don’t know that you’re not supposed to enter an intersection unless it’s completely clear.”
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“Sadly, there have been some accidents just as there have been with illegal rolling stops.”
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“Please keep these in town!”
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The City Council should consider having the police department enforce current laws that prohibit unsafe left turns at the lights the way they are rather than penalizing those of us who know how to drive properly with having to wait through two or three light rotations. People who turn left unsafely at permissive greens will just go through the red light in an even more unsafe manner.”
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“Almost two years ago I got hit when I turned on a green arrow, and the person that hit me ran a red light. The lights don’t make bad drivers.”
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“As with anything, if the driver is mentally absent, any stop light is dangerous.”
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“One of the biggest gas- and time-wasters is to sit in a red light turn lane when there is no oncoming traffic. All signals in town need upgrades to be smart, not fixed timing. Some, like the Mary/East Washington Street light, trigger too easily on side traffic, stopping it when all that was needed was a left turn for that incoming vehicle … Keep us all moving — save gas, time!”
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Please. Eliminate every one of these signals altogether and just put stop signs at the feeder streets (especially on the Boulevard South at B Street). If we’re all capable drivers, we don’t need nanny laws slowing natural traffic patterns.”
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I was really peeved when they took away the permissive left turn at North McDowell and Corona. Now to hear they are doing away with all, I’m not happy. Why dumb it down for crappy drivers?”
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It seemed like drivers never understood them. Why give up? Just educate the drivers. Some can’t read the sign and therefore don’t know they have a choice. I’ve watched it time and time again. Should be put a second sign up in Spanish?”