|
|
|
|
29/05/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
I seem to see a lot more drivers making illegal U-turns at traffic lights these days. At first this used to annoy me, because these guys were not only breaking the law, but also displaying anti-social behaviour and apparently putting other road users at risk. But the more I thought about it the more I could see the sense in what they were doing.
 In Queensland legal U-turns at traffic lights are quite common, perhaps because the roads are very wide in that spacious state so there's plenty of room to turn. So, wouldn't it make sense to legalise U-turns at traffic lights in other places and states where it's safe to do so? If the U-turns aren't causing any problems why prohibit them?
In many ways a U-turn isn't really much different to a right-hand turn. Obviously it goes through 180 degrees instead of 90 degrees, and it needs a bigger gap in the traffic if the turn isn't to inconvenience other drivers or put them at risk. Other than that, is there really any major difference?
It could be argued that those making illegal U-turns are paying special attention to avoid a crash and the consequences thereof. But shouldn’t everyone be as careful as possible all the time they are behind the wheel? Of course they should, anyone who only pays full attention when they are breaking the law shouldn’t be on the road in the first place. In fact anyone who doesn't pay full attention even when they are doing everything strictly by the book should also turn in their licence.
If the law is changed it should probably be done gradually, initially using intersections with excellent visibility and only those with a turning lane already set aside for right turns. Naturally the onus of responsibility would be on the driver doing a U-turn at traffic lights to be sure that it was safe to do so.
Surely it’s worth a try in the interests of easing traffic congestion created by people having to drive all the way around the block because they have missed a turn, instead of simply doubling back on their tracks. It would certainly make life simpler for those lost souls driving in unfamiliar areas. And that's pretty well all of us at some time or another.
Similarly, it would be good if we were allowed to make a left-hand turn through a red traffic light. Obviously, this would also only be when it was safe to do so. Indeed, this system would probably work best if drivers were told to make a complete stop before turning left through a red light.
At some intersections it's already legal to turn left just before the lights by way of a short filter lane. This works well, particularly in Sydney where it's a common road design feature. Surely an expansion of the system to include traffic lights where there's plenty of visibility to the right would, again, improve traffic flow. And permitting drivers to think for themselves is a sure way of making them more responsible behind the wheel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
