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Date: 2008/01/28
The installation of countdown timers on traffic lights is becoming increasingly common. However, a report from the Transportation Research Institute of the Ministry of Transportation indicates that intersections with green light countdown timers have seen a doubling in the number of accidents, while those with red light countdown timers have experienced a halving of accidents. Intersections equipped with both types of timers have seen a 19% increase in accidents. The institute recommends that green light countdown timers should be removed or deactivated as soon as possible.
The countdown timer on the pedestrian signal prompts pedestrians to hurry and make the most of the remaining seconds. Similarly, drivers seeing the green light countdown may either accelerate or slow down, which can lead to rear-end collisions. The same applies to red light countdown timers.
TVBS reporter Li Qing: "The countdown timer above the traffic light allows drivers to clearly know how long they have to wait before they can start moving. However, for drivers on the other side, it signals the start of a sprint, which can easily lead to traffic accidents."
A comparison of 187 intersections across Taiwan before and after the installation of countdown timers shows that intersections with green light countdown timers experienced a doubling in the number of accidents and a 33% increase in injuries. Intersections with red light countdown timers saw a halving in both accidents and injuries. Intersections with both red and green light countdown timers experienced a 19% increase in accidents and a 23% increase in injuries.
Chen Yichang, head of the Transportation Safety Division of the Ministry of Transportation: "Generally, there are two types of drivers: conservative drivers who follow the rules more strictly, and aggressive drivers who are more assertive."
Given the different personalities of drivers, the Transportation Research Institute recommends that green light countdown timers should be removed or deactivated as soon as possible, and only red light countdown timers should be displayed. However, further investigation into drivers' reactions is needed before deciding whether to standardize the practice.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 080128/ 8/ smfp. html
Green Light Countdown Doubles Accident Risk at Intersections
The installation of countdown timers on traffic lights is becoming increasingly common. However, a report from the Transportation Research Institute of the Ministry of Transportation indicates that intersections with green light countdown timers have seen a doubling in the number of accidents, while those with red light countdown timers have experienced a halving of accidents. Intersections equipped with both types of timers have seen a 19% increase in accidents. The institute recommends that green light countdown timers should be removed or deactivated as soon as possible.
The countdown timer on the pedestrian signal prompts pedestrians to hurry and make the most of the remaining seconds. Similarly, drivers seeing the green light countdown may either accelerate or slow down, which can lead to rear-end collisions. The same applies to red light countdown timers.
TVBS reporter Li Qing: "The countdown timer above the traffic light allows drivers to clearly know how long they have to wait before they can start moving. However, for drivers on the other side, it signals the start of a sprint, which can easily lead to traffic accidents."
A comparison of 187 intersections across Taiwan before and after the installation of countdown timers shows that intersections with green light countdown timers experienced a doubling in the number of accidents and a 33% increase in injuries. Intersections with red light countdown timers saw a halving in both accidents and injuries. Intersections with both red and green light countdown timers experienced a 19% increase in accidents and a 23% increase in injuries.
Chen Yichang, head of the Transportation Safety Division of the Ministry of Transportation: "Generally, there are two types of drivers: conservative drivers who follow the rules more strictly, and aggressive drivers who are more assertive."
Given the different personalities of drivers, the Transportation Research Institute recommends that green light countdown timers should be removed or deactivated as soon as possible, and only red light countdown timers should be displayed. However, further investigation into drivers' reactions is needed before deciding whether to standardize the practice.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 080128/ 8/ smfp. html