I see where my confusion was before. I have yet to see more than a handful of dedicated left turn signals. The odd one I have come across in Toronto, but otherwise, nope. This means that as long as it's not a red light (for straight and turning traffic) you can always go if it's clear. No extra stupid useless signals (turn arrows only) at an intersection that obviously didn't need it in the first place.
How hard is it to see that there is a gap in traffic and you can turn left? No gap, no turn. Red light, no turn. I like the simplicity of our snowy cold ways, one set of lights per intersection, done. Tack on a green/yellow left turn arrow at busy places, and we're golden.
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If you're flammable and have legs, you're never blocking a fire exit.
