I wonder how many of you know why there is no turn on red in NYC (only in the city, outside it may be allowed unless otherwise posted).
During the energy crises in the 1970s, idling was considered a big waste of gas. so instead of making cars wait to turn on red, they (I think it was government mandated) said to turn as long as it was safe to do so. NYC begged for an exemption from this gas-saving policy on grounds that it was too dangerous in such an urban area.