https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... fic-lights
I've suspected this all along, especially after seeing busy Asian capitals work!

There was a suggestion of having traffic lights in central Chch revert to orange flashing lights every night so you don't waste time sitting at a red when there's no traffic around. Seemed like a good idea but..... it's Chch.

Nz drivers couldn't deal with that, some people would just steam through, and others would be so scared of it, it would cause too many issues

NZ is still many years behind the rest of the World, we're still focussed in installing traffic lights by the dozen on corners!