20th October, "Bonnes Idées Françaises Sanglantes # 4"

There is a big thunderstorm hovering over much of eastern France today and we will not be venturing too far from the comfort of our terrific rented apartment in Sablet. 

The French use some "bloody good ideas" to make life a little bit easier and to help remove the minor frustations of life . Bloody Good French Idea #4  is their version of  les feux de signalisation (traffic lights) at intersections.

I am often the first in the line at a red traffic light and once stopped cannot see the lights, because they are placed so high on the pole that the pillar and roof of the car on the passenger's side block them, unless it is one of those large intersections which has a duplicate set hanging over the middle of the intersection. Has it turned to green? This is normally answered by the driver behind who, in quite friendly frustration, gives one a blast. 


Friendly fustration blasts at les feux de signalisation have been eliminated  in France by the French traffic authorities simply placing a smaller set of duplicate light signals lower down the pole at eye level for the front of the queue driver. The larger, higher lights are still there so they can be seen as one approaches the intersection and by the now frustration free drivers behind. 

Brilliant idea!

The attached photographs were taken from the passenger's side of the car and do not truly reflect what the driver sees - but you will get the idea.

Approaching a red signal

Green signal shown at top and bottom