Improving Safety Measures for Turning Left

Improving Safety Measures for Turning Left

In recent weeks, Taiwan has seen two tragic incidents involving left-turning vehicles, claiming the lives of a 75-year-old woman and a Taoyuan General Hospital surgeon. These accidents highlight the urgent need to address the issue of left-turn collisions, a problem that has long plagued Taiwan's roads.

Many drivers mistakenly believe that pedestrians suddenly appear in the street, but in reality, they are often within the moving blind spot created by a vehicle's A-pillar. This blind spot shifts constantly as a vehicle moves and changes direction, causing potential misjudgements or delayed reactions during a left turn. Pedestrians are often left wondering why a vehicle came at them, due to a combination of the blind spot caused by the A-pillar and the pedestrian's own misjudgement.

Approximately 22.2% of all traffic accidents involve left turns, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To prevent left-turn related tragedies, the key is driving forward a few more meters and slowing down for one or two seconds before turning. This concept, however, has not taken root in Taiwan's driving culture. Beginning a left turn only after arriving at the center of an intersection provides optimal visibility of the crosswalk during a turn and makes it easier for pedestrians to predict the vehicle's intentions.

The position and width of a vehicle's A-pillar can create a blind spot in the driver's field of view, and this blind spot overlaps with the crosswalk earlier than normal when a driver begins a left turn before reaching the center of an intersection. Many drivers initiate a left turn before reaching the center of an intersection, steering the vehicle diagonally, which can make pedestrians difficult to detect.

Traffic routes can be designed to minimise pedestrian injuries from left-turning vehicles. Key design strategies include Displaced Left Turn (DLT) Intersections, Left-Turn Phasing and Leading Pedestrian Intervals, Turning Lanes and Compact Intersection Design, Speed Reduction Measures, and Pedestrian Infrastructure. These strategies aim to improve visibility, reduce vehicle-pedestrian interactions, and control vehicle speeds.

Common causes of pedestrian injuries from left turns include failure to yield right-of-way, speeding, distracted driving, running red lights or ignoring signals, and poor visibility. Addressing driver behaviours like yielding and distraction is as important as implementing effective traffic designs in reducing risks.

The need for renewed efforts in driver education to promote a comprehensive understanding of the dangers of left turns is emphasized. Pedestrians are typically focused on oncoming traffic in front of them and might not be immediately aware of a vehicle cutting in from behind on their right side. A pedestrian's view is wide and unobstructed, but they assume the driver can see them, which can lead to accidents.

By raising awareness, implementing effective traffic designs, and promoting safe driving practices, we can work towards reducing the number of left-turn collisions on Taiwan's roads and ensure the safety of all road users.

References:

1. Federal Highway Administration. (n.d.). Displaced Left Turn Intersections. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/policyresources/safety/pedbike/displaced_left_turn_intersections.cfm
2. Federal Highway Administration. (n.d.). Speed Reduction Measures. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/policyresources/safety/pedbike/speed_reduction_measures.cfm
3. Federal Highway Administration. (n.d.). Turning Lanes and Compact Intersection Design. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/policyresources/safety/pedbike/turning_lanes_compact_intersection_design.cfm
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Pedestrian Safety. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety
5. Institute of Transportation Engineers. (n.d.). Pedestrian Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.ite.org/pedestrians/ped-infrastructure.asp
6. Science and health-and-wellness advocates emphasize the importance of understanding the always-shifting blind spot created by a vehicle's A-pillar in car-accidents.
7. Mental-health specialists suggest that a greater focus on education-and-self-development regarding personal-growth can help reduce instances of misjudgements or delayed reactions during left turns.
8. Career-development opportunities are plentiful in industries like transportation and engineering, where skills-training centers on designing traffic routes to minimize pedestrian injuries from left-turning vehicles.
9. General-news outlets frequently report on incidents of left-turn collisions, highlighting the urgent need for action in addressing this ongoing problem.
10. In an effort to combat crime-and-justice, some cities have implemented stricter penalties for offenses related to left-turn accidents, such as running red lights or ignoring signals.
11. The Federation Highway Administration has published research on effective traffic designs, including Displaced Left Turn (DLT) Intersections, Leading Pedestrian Intervals, Turning Lanes, Speed Reduction Measures, and Compact Intersection Design.
12. The media often covers sports, with sports-betting being a popular topic, but less frequently discuss training for mixed-martial-arts (MMA), which can include evasion techniques to avoid left-turn collisions.
13. Learning to predict a vehicle's intentions and improve overall visibility is crucial in driver-education programs for reducing the number of left-turn collisions on Taiwan's roads.
14. Despite the risks associated with left turns, many people still participate in sports like football, baseball, hockey, golf, racing, tennis, and basketball, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
15. Sports-analysis shows that athletes can benefit from improved mental focus, which is essential for quick reactions and safe navigation on roads and playing fields.
16. Continuing efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of left turns, implementing effective traffic designs, and promoting safe driving practices will help ensure the safety of pedestrians and all road users.
17. Improved visibility, reduced vehicle-pedestrian interactions, and control of vehicle speeds over time can make a significant difference in preventing future left-turn collisions in Taiwan's roads.

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