You don't have to predict whether your exit will be clear. You just wait until you _can_see_ it's clear.
In the UK, it's pretty simple:
"You may enter a yellow box junction when your exit is clear and there is enough space on the other side of the junction for your vehicle to clear the box completely without stopping."
It's not complicated. It just requires an incentive (don't break the rule, don't pay a 1000 GBP fine).
Though it might not be obvious to American drivers, this is the solution.
There will always be that driver who attempts to change lanes mid-intersection to get into an opening first; that's part of what motivates American drivers to enter the intersection before their exit is clear.
(Lane changes within the intersection are illegal in the US, but rarely enforced.)
American drivers also accelerate quickly only to brake desperately, which creates "openings" for rapid lane changes as well as more trouble staying out of intersections. In spite of higher accidents, more fuel costs, and even occasional tickets (for not signalling properly), this is a persistent driver behavior in many areas like California.
False. In California and some other states the vehicle code doesn't prohibit changing lanes in an intersection. Although depending on the circumstances an officer might cite you for an unsafe lane change.
That might fly in the land of socialism but here on the free side of the lake sitting at the intersection while the light is green will just encourage people to take their "right on red" in front of you ensuring you never make it across, unless of course you're at an intersection where the locals have been deemed to be idiots and are not allowed to take a right on red.
In the UK, it's pretty simple: "You may enter a yellow box junction when your exit is clear and there is enough space on the other side of the junction for your vehicle to clear the box completely without stopping."
It's not complicated. It just requires an incentive (don't break the rule, don't pay a 1000 GBP fine).
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/rules-of-red-rou...