Engineering Commons^™

Left Turn Safety: Preventing Injury And Death Through Signs And Signaling, Elizabeth Webb

Student Writing

Thousands of accidents each year are precipitated by drivers making a left turn within an intersection. These accidents tend to be caused primarily by driver error, confusing signaling or high rates of speed by through traffic. Extensive research suggests that reducing the rate of speed of through traffic, implementing warning signs with flashers along a roadway, adjusting the traffic signal phasing at an intersection, and utilizing creative intersection designs are all options which are available to combat these concerns and substantially minimize risks to all drivers. A recent fatal accident in Spotsylvania County highlights the need for intersection improvement at …