Strange traffic signal

[sodian]

Anyone ever see a traffic signal with a red light that has a strobe bar in the middle of the lens. We were approaching a red light on Rt 140 in Gardner, Mass. I noticed this strange bright flashing as we got closer. It turned out to be a strobe bar going across the center of the red light. I have never seen anything like this before. The only reason we could think of for this was to insure that it got peoples attention when that light turned red.
Anyone ever see a traffic light like this before?

[ZDOG]

I have traveled all over the US. I recall seeing that type of light on several occasions, can't exactly recall where

[wvphoto]

mostly at intersections where you will drive a long while with no lights.. then when they change you see the red and the flashing light.. they do really get your attention.. accidents probably drop at those intersections

[ack.Z06]

have them on several different highways here in georgia. 316 comes to mind of the top of my head.

[corvette184]

i dont know if all of you have been drinking....heheheh but it sounds like a good idea...intersections here in tacoma could use one of those....hell ....all the intersections here could use one.

[TAMUz06]

We have several of those here in TX - and yes, on long stretches of highway where there are no lights, then all of a sudden there is one...

[John & Donna]

Yes, as others have said, there are a few out there in use. They are not used everywhere; only in key locations (where there is a high accident rate, unusual intersection, history of driver violations, etc.)

The most interesting (and first one) I've seen was in Laramie, WY - getinofficer will know where I'm talking about. This is also a mid-block traffic signal (no street intersection). It was placed to allow us poor, starving college students a safe crosswalk to walk, er stagger, no crawl back to the dorms from the "Mini Dome Mall" (a interesting collection of three bars and a liquor store)

Believe me, I was glad to have it. One semester the Drawbridge had "kamikaze night" (pitchers of them for $2.50) every Wed Made Chem Lab interesting the next morning

[Manatee]

ack is right - we have them here in Georgia. Before they added the strobe light, they used to use a warning yellow sign with flashing lights when the traffic signal was going to turn red by the time you got to the intersection. I think this 'solution' didn't work becasue people then tried to 'beat the light' and had a few high speed accidents.

[70boss302]

Those type of red lights are very common here in NYS. You will find them esp around constuction areas. I think you are right, they do it to help you notice the light! Bill