Left turn on red

[Martin Cassini]

Occasionally the idea of left turn on red is mooted (like right turn on red in the US). It means freedom to filter left, even if the red is against you. A tiny step in the right direction, I've always thought, but ultimately a lame idea. Why can't we filter in any direction if it's safe to go? Why should we ever have to stop when there is no conflicting traffic? If we removed directional priority, we'd remove the "need" for lights and the need for speed. If we had a level playing-field where everyone could interact sociably - as we were born to do, rather than be torn in two by the clash between anti-social priority and our co-operative social nature - we'd be able to approach carefully and filter. Simples.