The idea is (I believe) to encourage folk to drive reasonably (ie within the speed limit) … in village/towns where speeding causes accidents/deaths.
If folk get used to driving reasonably, instead of putting their foot down to try and beat the lights… (aaargh)… accidents and and pollution should both be reduced …
By forcing them to stop/wait/grind their teeth… 
… it is hoped they will know better next time…
I understand the reasons, but question the supposed solution. Does it work with drivers who are not regulars in the area, and if it doesn’t, and why would it until they come back, but while they are learning, or not, they are forcing others to stop/start too, as you have found.
Smooth driving is the best form of fuel control and saving, also the best form of pollution reduction. Anything that hinders that is a waste of time.
I joked some time back about the wear on my brake pedal rubber, saying that how could that be as I use it so little. I was only half joking, I make a very conscious effort not to use the brakes and to anticipate delays in advance to allow the engine to do the work, or lack of it.
Interestingly this very point was put to the protesters by journalists. The protesters said that nails inserted into trees wouldn’t harm them provided they are never removed. I’ve no idea whether this is correct or not. It is rumoured that the protesters include several professional forestry workers amongst their numbers.
That chimes with my thinking too, I have seen many trees with fences and gates nailed to them without any apparent life threatening effect.
It worked quite well once people understood the system. If they were ‘speed bunnies’ one just slowed them down if possible by driving the speedlimit on both/three lanes.
In our town in Scotland after years of petitioning traffic lights were removed on a three way system. After a few bumps (and despite some very scared tourist drivers) traffic flowed smoothly and air quality improved greatly for anyone living along those roads.
It can be done with a bit of thought for solutions and consideration.
Of course it can. But it is easier to hammer the cash cow motorist and it doesnt improve the air quality due to the constant stop/start and the increased noise emissions.
Isn’t that the point? I suppose that they worked because these weren’t through routes with frequent one time passers through then?
I do find it ironic though that on the one hand we have this wonderful system of extra traffic lights while on the other petitions to have lights removed. Traffic lights can be a life saver at junctions, but to use them to slow people down to a stop and then fire up again seems counter intuitive to me.
Heartily agree… if folk would react gently to the advisory signs, clearly visible on the roadside… eg: 50 in 150 metres…
they would be doing the correct speed as they approach the Traffic Lights…
A2 lane ring road inside the city turning into a major commuter road into and out of town . Frankfurt is a central ‘Trade Fair’ location, plenty out of towners at any given time of year. But because of this it also has a great public transport system and now with new legislation bicycle lanes are proliferating and ‘car’ lanes are getting less. Every new building has to provide one car parking space per apartment and curb side parking is by permit only in most neighbourhoods.
Not easy to have a car in Frankfurt - Paris is going the same direction it seems. Makes for a better living environment though.
It never was easy, nor in Munchen or other large cities in Deustchland. Germany always was good with Bike lanes, and the fact that the StVo made provision for cyclists a long time ago, long before France and the UK. Although Holland is by far the best in Euroe.
So have I. I’ve also seen tree with large bolts driven into them, obviously many years ago. Eventually the tree grows over the object. I’m currently sitting 20m away from a large tree with a large stone embedded in it’s trunk. It’s obviously been like that a long time. The main problem with piercing a tree is the potential to create a route for infection.
If the nail is copper it might harm the tree too. Unlikely to be an issue in this case.
If its oak then the tree will hurt the nail if its steel. 
ULEZ (FOI case Officer , TFL) have promised me a reply by 30th June. My question was: " IF a French registered vehicle compliant with CRITAir receives a Ulez fine by registered post at the vehicle’s registered French address can such fine be enfiorced post Brexit now? If so kindly advise me the regulation or agreement applicable for enforcement between UK/France so that I might consult same "
It was written a bit “tongue in cheeck” buy the reply, if sent, will be useful to all of us who visit London etc with a car.
I would like to ask readers has anyone actually experienced legal enforcement of a post Brexit out of Jurisdiction fine imposed by Ulez ?
For example has a Huissier actually turned up to your address with correct documentation to enforce such fine and presumably their collection charges were added to the fine ? If so the documentation will be of great valu to view please…
I don’t think you understood my point Bettina. I’m all in favour of clean air, my point is that if a city has a clean air zone with a autoroute cutting through it then the zone could only apply to vehicles that leave the autoroute and enter the city, not on through traffic which will have all types of vehicles with all levels of emissions.
BTW I’ve had crit’air stickers on all my cars from when they were first announced.
Not sure my question before was answered, apologies if it has, but can I get through the edge of Rouen (or on the through N route) with a yellow crit’air without charge? And Amiens too for that matter?
Yellow indicates Crit’air 2 so you are allowed through the LEZ in Rouen without charge.
Thank you Brian, a great relief. 
I understood your point, and yes it seems unfair. BUT somewhere the city has to take a stand to get clean air. You are not forced to take the autoroute through Rouen, there are roads around the clean air zone. Which in my mind only pushes the problem into other smaller villages.
If we all want to live on a planet that has clean air, no warming of above 1.5C it has to start somewhere.
I am sure nobody likes being forced to change habits - think seat belts, the outcry in the UK over EU laws restricting your hoover going above 1500W… many more examples
Yes, of course it does, and it makes the polution worse because it causes less smooth driving.
think seat belts,
I don’t have to, they don’t bother me anymore, I have a clip. 
Tin hat duly on. 