Dear Editor,
I wanted to point out that the new flashing yellow left turn signal installed
on Route 38 and Clark Street is very confusing and dangerous. I make this left
turn every day on my way to work, never had a problem before, so not really
sure what problem this was supposed to address – a flashing yellow left turn
signal does not provide any more information on top of the normal round green
signal – i.e. turn left with caution realizing you don’t have the right of
way.
Now, when you see this new flashing yellow left turn arrow, you think its
trying to communicate something new and this creates a confusion. At this
particular intersection (when heading south) you first have to merge into one
lane from two, then you have to get into the left turn lane (while paying
attention to drivers who don’t merge into one lane and try to go straight into
the left turn lane crossing over the solid yellow markings), then you have
very little time before you reach the intersection and come across this
blinking yellow left turn signal. If you don’t look long enough you may not
realize it’s blinking and mistake is for a solid yellow left turn signal which
is about to turn red and assume you have the right of way to turn left if you
can safely clear the intersection before it turns red, so you hurry up and
make the left turn potentially getting hit by the car coming straight thru the
intersection that actually has the right of way. Even if you realize that the
yellow light is blinking and know what you are supposed to do, it’s not
something you can react to quickly and appropriately. I realize some engineers
somewhere came up with this idea and there are studies that show this is a
great idea, but maybe it’s not for this particular intersection?
I am a pretty good defensive driver who pays attention to traffic around me. I
have been able to avoid accidents for the last 15 years and have a perfect
driving record even though I drive twice as much as the average driver per
year. I’ve almost hit a car at this intersection the first time I came across this
new light. I’ve also seen many other drivers in front of me almost get into
an accident. Even if I am extra super careful going forward, I still don’t
feel safe knowing the driver in front of me may end up making the same mistake
I first made and get hit by a car ending up hitting me in turn.
I suggest not using the flashing yellow turn signal at this intersection, I
don’t think the benefits (whatever they are) outweigh the risk to drivers.
– Anonymous
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