Backwards Stoplights

[plain]

Maryland frequently does this for a doghouse on mast arms.

MD will do it for a protected left too, doesn't have to be a doghouse.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tQDRMeHTQnav66d7

Also, doesn't have to be mast arm mounted either...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SbUBRwxKGZmwvR3C7

[Big John]

^^ and 12" signals on the near side and 8" signals on the far side.

[wanderer2575]

Traffic signals on major divided highways in metro Detroit often had one additional signal head facing the opposing direction, I'm assuming on the theory that some idiot driving the wrong way would at least have the courtesy to stop for a red light.  Most if not all of those have vanished as signals have been replaced.

[jdbx]

This is common in California, especially if the approaching roadway has a high speed limit and is approaching around a bend or over a hill.  Here is what would be a textbook example, and the streetview shows the reason why.  Notice that you cannot yet see the regular signal heads, but you *can* see the "courtesy signal" as I have always called them, mounted up high and on the opposite side in the distance:

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9528722,-122.0889624,3a,75y,53.19h,91.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2f2RDlQEw7uUEQTBgjULvg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[jakeroot]

Quite a lot of intersections in Federal Way, WA have stoplights overhead on the near side, although all are left turn signals:

S 320 St @ Pacific Hwy (all four approaches)
S 336 St @ Pacific Hwy (old approach from 336 St also used nearside overhead doghouses)
S 348 St @ Pacific Hwy
Dash Point Rd @ Redondo Way / 16 Ave S may qualify (twenty signals at a four way intersection)

In Fife, Taylor Way @ WA-509 also has overhead nearside left turn signals for all four approaches, but it's not on Streetview yet.

In Puyallup, Valley Ave @ 27 Ave Ct NW has an overhead nearside through signal to aid in visibility, reduced by the bridge crest and curve.

[Harvestman]

I have no idea how common these are elsewhere, but every day I pass this pair of school zone flashers on Ohio SR-4 in Fairfield.  Is the extra beacon effective? No...not really.

[US 89]

^ I always thought the point of those was for police to verify that the flashers are operating so that they can pull speeders over. Same with the little red light on the back of some ramp meters that turns on when the meter is red.

[jakeroot]

^ I always thought the point of those was for police to verify that the flashers are operating so that they can pull speeders over. Same with the little red light on the back of some ramp meters that turns on when the meter is red.

Plus I think they help motorists to identify when the school zone is active. If you pull out from a side-street into an active school zone, there's no way to tell, without backwards flashers, that the school zone is active. Of course, you have to know what the flashing beacon means as there is no accompanying sign, and that alone may make it impossible to enforce. Still, I've found it helpful for identifying school zones as side streets rarely have school zone signs (only the arterial(s)).