I know some that are rush hour only, and one left turn filter arrow that was installed at a differwnt junction maybe 8-10 years ago and I had only ever seen with a flashing yellow (or red light), when it unexpectedly turned green when I passed that way a couple of weeks ago.

The one I described above though is a major puzzle - my best guess at the moment is that it has some cumulative function, so it doesn't necessarily show in each cycle of the lights, because I have been waiting in the rush hour and seen the lights skip the left arrow phase entirely, then include a left turn phase in the next cycle - and it's relatively late in the rush hour when I pass that way, so it wasn't that rush hour had just started

It could be that the road sensor is in a dumb place, and doesn't get tripped by a car every time. My workplace lights have the sensor really far forward, so it is never tripped unless you are halfway into the pedestrian crossing, but I've others where it is too far back, so the front car doesn't trip it unless they drive slowly enough over it.

I suppose the sensors could be an issue, but it is a very tight junction on a narrow road - the three lanes (two entry, one exit) on the two opposing legs of the junction that affect what I described above, are squeezed in to what is really only enough room for two lanes in most US junctions, so the scope for accidently passing a sensor isn't there.

Someone I was talking to about another similar junction a few miles away swears that the sensor looks for a car in the third space back from the lights, so 40-60ft back, and they tried to bluff the system by stopping 40ft short of the lights. I am not convinced.

Got a recorded message today from a number in Washington DC. Apparently they've discovered major fraud on my last tax return and I am to call that number immediately.

What a junkyard of shysters and crooks this country is. Calls everyday from people who want to save me energy costs or remodel my home

Yes, apparently the only way to pay off these government agencies is by gift cards.

Don't have a landline. I've had one cold call from a salesperson in 5 years; they apologized profusely for accidentally calling my mobile and went away.

I've lost count of how many cruises and resort vacations this year that I have been "selected for".

Change that to the world and it's probably closer to the truth. I've had three calls from our 'Tax Office' and 'Federal Police' telling me they owe me several grand and I've not done the tax return yet.

In the UK we get the same shysters. When they phone me I tell them about the penalties under the Telecommunications Act for what they are doing - in my best "Scotland Yard" accent. It usually works.

Latest driving pet peeves (the next in a continuing series):

1. Tentative drivers who refuse to pull into an intersection while making a left, preventing cars behind them from making the light.
2. People turning out of the full left turn lane into the middle lane of the road they're merging onto, cutting off the person in the middle lane turning left. I'm always amazing how many people make this very dangerous mistake.
3. People who pull into oncoming traffic to get around a parked car, requiring the oncoming traffic to slow / stop. This is illegal, folks. You have to wait behind the parked car until there's no oncoming traffic.
4. People who do 80 MPH in the full right lane past a freeway entrance ramp, preventing merging drivers from being able to get on to the highway. Move over, dumba$$.
5. People who let an eight car length gap open up on a left turn while driving in a line of traffic. Get right on the car in front of you, guys.

1. Yes 100%
2. Not quite sure what you mean - esp. re "centre lane" , do you mean the third/fifth centre turn lane?
3. Mostly agree, but in a busy urban environment there has to be a bit of give and take.
4. Don't much agree with that. The traffic on the ramp needs to pick up more speed. Also the car in the right lane is probably only there because of @r§ëholes in the centre and left lanes doing 55-60 and generally holding up traffic.
5. Sorry, I don't get that one either, and if the gap is going to disappear in a few seconds as traffic waits to turn left, what's the big deal about briefly allowing a gap to open up?

I am guess the left lane is left turn only and the center lane is left turn or straight ahead.

People get in the left turn lane and then decide they need to go straight and switch lanes last minute.

My pet peeve was people sitting on my tail , leaving about 2 ft distance. This was resolved by the addition of strobing brake lights. Seems to be working so far, or at the minimum means the driver behind reacts a little more quickly when I brake.

I think he is talking about someone turning left OUT OF a road that someone, approaching from the right, is turning left INTO. If I am correct, I can't understand what he thinks is dangerous.