Green-arrow turns: Move shows results
28 Apr 2018|3,843 views
Previous moves to remove discretionary right turns at accident-prone junctions have yielded results, according to data from the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Black Spot programme. In at least two examples from the programme that aims to introduce engineering measures to improve road safety, the number of accidents more than halved at junctions where drivers had to wait for a green arrow to turn right.
For instance, over the three years that LTA monitored the junction of Thomson Road and Moulmein Road, the number of accidents dropped from 19 to seven following the introduction of red, amber and green turn-arrow lights.
Similarly, at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road and Tampines Avenue 1, the number of accidents fell from 20 to eight. LTA declined to offer more details on its road safety measures at both junctions, including the specific period the accident statistics were recorded.
Nevertheless, those who used the affected junctions said they were pleased with the changes. In Thomson Road, Security Officer Eddy Muhsin, who works in the area, said he has seen a sharp drop in accidents even if some drivers still try and beat the lights. "It's ultimately about drivers' attitudes," said the 60-year old.
But motorists also said the changes have increased congestion. At the Tampines junction, a 59-year old driver, who wanted to be known only as Mr. Goh, said, "It's safer but the duration for turning is too short. Now, only a few cars can turn before the light turns red again. It turns red very quickly, so cars rush even when it's amber."
Junctions with discretionary turns were in the spotlight following two recent fatal accidents at such intersections. LTA said on Thursday that within the next five years, the 'vast majority' of Singapore's 1,600 traffic junctions will have red, amber and green turn-arrow lights.
Features such as lighted road studs and integrated pedestrian countdown timers will be considered at junctions where such lights cannot be implemented, said the LTA. Red-amber-green turn-arrow lights are already in place at 200 junctions here.
The announcement was welcomed by drivers yesterday, even if some were worried that having two types of junctions to negotiate as the new lights are installed could be confusing. "Making it consistent (across Singapore) will be better for drivers," said Artist Shah Ismail, 36.
Experts, however, were a little more cautious about the effort to virtually eliminate discretionary right turns here. Dr. Park Byung Joon, an urban transport expert with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, noted that it could be costly and difficult to implement islandwide as each new light will also need to be connected to the computerised system that controls traffic lights.
National Safety Council of Singapore Deputy President Fong Kim Choy stressed that while infrastructure can help, drivers have the most important part to play when it comes to road safety. "The safety culture is still not there," he said. "The (turn-arrow) light could be red, but if I choose to drive anyway, I could still cause an accident."
The number of 'black spots', or accident-prone areas, has gone down from about 100 four years ago to 48 now, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). No figures are available for how many accidents have occurred at these 48 locations, which include Lentor Avenue and the Woodlands Checkpoint.
However, the LTA started its black spot programme in 2005 to identify locations with a high incidence of traffic accidents and implement measures to reduce the frequency and severity of such accidents. Five to 10 locations are removed from the list annually.
Similar programmes in other countries such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand have also been successful. A study of one black spot programme in Western Australia between 2000 and 2003 found that it had reduced crash numbers by 15 percent.
The LTA uses software to identify black spots. Accident patterns are then analysed by accident type, location and the type of road users involved. Measures to improve the safety of these roads are customised for accident-prone sites following an investigation of the location. Besides the introduction of red-green-amber turning lights, other measures include the painting of speed limits on the road, as well as the narrowing of lanes and introduction of speed-regulating strips.
While these measures could result in 'less efficient' movement of traffic, this is a small price to pay, said Singapore University of Social Sciences Associate Professor Park Byung Joon. "There is no middle ground when it comes to safety," said the urban transport expert. A list of all 48 black spots can be viewed on the LTA's OneMotoring website.
Previous moves to remove discretionary right turns at accident-prone junctions have yielded results, according to data from the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Black Spot programme. In at least two examples from the programme that aims to introduce engineering measures to improve road safety, the number of accidents more than halved at junctions where drivers had to wait for a green arrow to turn right.
For instance, over the three years that LTA monitored the junction of Thomson Road and Moulmein Road, the number of accidents dropped from 19 to seven following the introduction of red, amber and green turn-arrow lights.
Similarly, at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road and Tampines Avenue 1, the number of accidents fell from 20 to eight. LTA declined to offer more details on its road safety measures at both junctions, including the specific period the accident statistics were recorded.
Nevertheless, those who used the affected junctions said they were pleased with the changes. In Thomson Road, Security Officer Eddy Muhsin, who works in the area, said he has seen a sharp drop in accidents even if some drivers still try and beat the lights. "It's ultimately about drivers' attitudes," said the 60-year old.
But motorists also said the changes have increased congestion. At the Tampines junction, a 59-year old driver, who wanted to be known only as Mr. Goh, said, "It's safer but the duration for turning is too short. Now, only a few cars can turn before the light turns red again. It turns red very quickly, so cars rush even when it's amber."
Junctions with discretionary turns were in the spotlight following two recent fatal accidents at such intersections. LTA said on Thursday that within the next five years, the 'vast majority' of Singapore's 1,600 traffic junctions will have red, amber and green turn-arrow lights.
Features such as lighted road studs and integrated pedestrian countdown timers will be considered at junctions where such lights cannot be implemented, said the LTA. Red-amber-green turn-arrow lights are already in place at 200 junctions here.
The announcement was welcomed by drivers yesterday, even if some were worried that having two types of junctions to negotiate as the new lights are installed could be confusing. "Making it consistent (across Singapore) will be better for drivers," said Artist Shah Ismail, 36.
Experts, however, were a little more cautious about the effort to virtually eliminate discretionary right turns here. Dr. Park Byung Joon, an urban transport expert with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, noted that it could be costly and difficult to implement islandwide as each new light will also need to be connected to the computerised system that controls traffic lights.
National Safety Council of Singapore Deputy President Fong Kim Choy stressed that while infrastructure can help, drivers have the most important part to play when it comes to road safety. "The safety culture is still not there," he said. "The (turn-arrow) light could be red, but if I choose to drive anyway, I could still cause an accident."
The number of 'black spots', or accident-prone areas, has gone down from about 100 four years ago to 48 now, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). No figures are available for how many accidents have occurred at these 48 locations, which include Lentor Avenue and the Woodlands Checkpoint.
However, the LTA started its black spot programme in 2005 to identify locations with a high incidence of traffic accidents and implement measures to reduce the frequency and severity of such accidents. Five to 10 locations are removed from the list annually.
Similar programmes in other countries such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand have also been successful. A study of one black spot programme in Western Australia between 2000 and 2003 found that it had reduced crash numbers by 15 percent.
The LTA uses software to identify black spots. Accident patterns are then analysed by accident type, location and the type of road users involved. Measures to improve the safety of these roads are customised for accident-prone sites following an investigation of the location. Besides the introduction of red-green-amber turning lights, other measures include the painting of speed limits on the road, as well as the narrowing of lanes and introduction of speed-regulating strips.
While these measures could result in 'less efficient' movement of traffic, this is a small price to pay, said Singapore University of Social Sciences Associate Professor Park Byung Joon. "There is no middle ground when it comes to safety," said the urban transport expert. A list of all 48 black spots can be viewed on the LTA's OneMotoring website.
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