Temporary traffic lights

Temporary traffic lights, those installed to regulate traffic flow where there are roadworks create often much longer waits and aren't synched with the rest of the system.

I had heard that these are a 'request' to stop and that legally they are not of the same status as proper lights so you can jump them legally (and they are often installed in places where a cyclists could fit with an oncoming driver)

Can't find reference to these in the highway code to confirm this belief. Anyone know the law?

Can't say I know for sure but I would generally wait if there is other traffic waiting as it makes one look like a bit of a cunt to jump it. If there is no other traffic, I RLJ like it ain't no thing.

Agree that it's best to wait if there is other traffic often there isn't and where you get a 4-way control the wait could be ages and it's often possible to nip through. I always wait at normal lights but my understanding that RLJing temporary ones isn't against the law has led to me going through these on occasion.

hmmm

Section : 36
Sub-Section : 1
Act : Road Traffic Act 1988
Subject : Failing To Comply With The Indication Given By A Traffic Sign

Where a traffic sign of the prescribed size, colour and type or another authorised by the secretary of state has been lawfully placed on or near a road, a person driving who fails to comply with the indication given by the sign is guilty of an offence.

Signs that apply to this act:
Stop Sign
Give Way Sign
Red lights at a level crossing
Keep left
Keep right
Red traffic light signals
Double white lines
No U turn
No entry
One Way

£60 - 3 points.

Highway Code rule 88 which says

Traffic light signals and traffic signs

You MUST obey all traffic light signals and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary signals & signs. Make sure you know, understand and act on all other traffic and information signs and road markings.

Laws RTA 1988 sect.36, TSRGD regs 10,15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 36, 38 & 40

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/07.shtml

TSRGD Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2002

and by all accounts, on the back of the ticket there are the following options

i) failing to adhere to traffic signal
ii) failing to adhere to temporary traffic lights

That's seems that.
Thanks stevo_com

among others, possibly

iii) black
iv) shifty looking

and so on

dont know the legality,
know the way that multiple vehicles carry on through when lights have changed though.
they are timed to fit with that possibility, which should mean the waiting line gets its full green light, but sometimes this pre-set isnt any use.

Big reason I don't jump any reds is to keep drivers from hating me/us. Jumping temporary lights would have the same effect I reckon.

The only thing that concern me is that the timing of the temporary traffic light is best suited for motorised vehicles that if you just managed to get through before it changed, the other end will started moving while you're not cleared.

I was waiting once by a temporary light next to a Cabbie. The road was empty. I said to him that I think they're a request which we can ignore. he said 'After you mate' and we both nipped through.

Lots of people seem to think they are optional, I reckon a policeman would strongly disagree

To be honest, if it show red, I'd rather wait.

The only rare moment I went through a red when it never changed for more than 5 minutes, which I and the other road user behind me decided that it's probably broken and gone through it.

I would treat temporary light just like permanent ones in that sense. However often I find that the coned off area is actually just a traffic free un-dug piece of road with no actual road works taking place. I just carry on in my original lane through the cones and out the other side. I'm technically not RLJ, neither am I riding on the pavement. I did this twice a day between edgware road and maida vale for a couple of months. Saved me a loads of time since the next set of lights would always go red if the temp ones where green.

One thing different with temporary lights is that there is no stop line that indicates exactly when you break the law. Wonder if that makes a difference in law.

Tend to find that a lot of the temporary lights with sensors on aren't senstive enough to detect bikes. I've had times where I've tried to be good and not RLJ them on rural-ish roads in the evening when there's not much traffic but the lights haven't changed until a car pulls up behind me to trigger the sensor. This happened repeatedly at one set of temporary lights a few evenings in a row recently and eventually I had to just RLJ or wait in hope that a car would appear behind me, which could take quite a long time. Seemed a bit pointless waiting. Never sure what was at the other end or coming the other way though as the roadwork area was quite long.

an old boy with a walking stick tutted and shook his head at me today for not stopping for him at a zebra crossing. We were the only people on the road. he was 50% across anyway so had technically crossed my side of the road and moved onto the other side. if i had stopped i'd have been there all day the speed he was walking .