Green light given to running red lights in Brisbane
Green light given to running red lights in Brisbane
Brisbane drivers have been given the green light to run red lights.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has launched the six-month trial of 'turn left on red' at various intersections in an attempt to ease congestion.
The locations are:
Bowen Street into Lutwyche Road, Windsor
Maud Street into Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead
Hellawell Road into Gowan Road, Sunnybank Hills
Edge Street into Creek Road, Cannon Hill
Spence Street into Broadwater Road, Wishart
Depending on the success of the venture, the trial could become a permanent fixture on city streets.
“These relatively minor changes can make a big difference in tackling congestion around the city,” Cr Quirk said.
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“The trial has been introduced as part of my ongoing commitment to ensure Brisbane is an accessible, connected city by delivering a range of congestion reduction measures.”
The man overseeing the implementation, Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner says safety is of primary concern.
Driver behaviour and traffic patterns will be monitored throughout the trial.
“The locations were selected after being assessed for safety against Department of Transport and Main Roads guidelines, which include parameters for sight distance, pedestrian activity, cyclist activity and sufficient clearance for buses and trucks,” he said.
“Households in close proximity to each of the trial sites will receive a letter informing them of the changes at their local intersection and numerous signs alerting road users of the changed conditions will be erected for the duration of the trial.”
A similar system was introduced on the Gold Coast last year. At the time, peak motoring body RACQ said crashes were likely to increase.
"Studies conducted overseas have shown that crashes increase at intersections that allow motorists to turn left on red," RACQ safety policy manager Steve Spalding said.
"Advice to us from South Australia and NSW is that their existing left turn on red sites are gradually being removed.
"The consequence of mistakes [at these intersections] would be severe as motorists are turning into oncoming traffic moving at speed."
