It amazes me how some people go to another country and just automatically assume that everything should be the same as at home.
The pedestrian signals are another difference. As ThinkGood mentioned, American lights go from white (WALK) to flashing red (DON'T WALK), then to steady red. On British pedestrian lights (now all the symbol type) the flashing phase is on the green, i.e. steady green. flashing green, steady red). Historical note: The old-style U.K. pedestrian signals were more like U.S. types, a red WAIT light and a white CROSS NOW light.
France also uses flashing amber arrows at some intersections, with the same meaning as you describe for Ireland. In some places they add a flashing version of the pedestrian crossing (red triangle) sign (or the older PRIORITE AUX PIETONS light) as an extra warning that drivers turning right must yield to pedestrians.
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 01-08-2003).]
