ABU DHABI // Fewer motorists in the capital are jumping the red lights at intersections where the green signal flashes to warn drivers it is about to change, according to the Abu Dhabi Municipality. The recently installed flashing green, which gives motorists an additional three seconds to slow down before a three-second amber light, has helped drivers slow down ahead of the red signal, said Mazen Jaber, acting head of traffic services section for the municipality.
"It was a successful initiative," he said yesterday. "From a safety point of view, it is always better to give motorists more time to take a decision." The flashing green setting was first introduced late last year at a signal near Maqta bridge. The function has since been added at other signals. Some motorists have said they find the new signals confusing, but the municipality said they had been effective.
In a statement released yesterday it reported a 38.6 per cent decrease, from 228 to 140, in the number of violations at the intersection of Zayed the First Street and Bani Yas Street in the 32 days following the installation of the flashing green lights on Feb 15, compared with the 32 previous days. Mr Jaber said flashing green signals were being installed at the rate of about three per day until all junctions were equipped with them. Over the past year, the municipality has also laid down yellow-box junctions at some intersections, which motorists must not enter unless their exits are clear.
Police in the capital have also announced that every junction will be covered by cameras to reduce accidents caused by drivers jumping red lights which, they say, cause the most severe injuries. @Email:mchung@thenational.ae
