New traffic lanes on Highway 51, drivers confused

Signs have been clearly marked on Highway 51.

Although the new traffic lane separation plan will be applied on Highway 51 through Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow (November 17), today drivers are still confused about whether they can follow the new signs or not.

The functional sector draws new guidelines

According to records on the morning of November 16, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has completed painting traffic lines on the road surface, installing signs, median strips and adjusting traffic signals at many intersections on Highway 51, to prepare for the new lane separation plan.

Previously, the Department of Construction of Ho Chi Minh City issued a document announcing the adjustment and reorganization of traffic on National Highway 51, effective from November 17. In particular, when changing direction (turning left, turning right, making a U-turn) at an intersection, vehicles must do so from the third lane from the median strip, not the first lane as before.

At some completed intersections on Highway 51, traffic was quite chaotic as the lane markings and traffic lights changed.

For example, at the intersection between Cach Mang Thang Tam Street (Long Huong Ward) and Highway 51, many vehicles have complied with the new instructions and new traffic lights. However, many drivers were confused by the change, so there were vehicles going straight on the new left-turn lane; and vehicles stopping to turn left on the new straight lane...

Some drivers are even confused about whether to go or stop, leading to them crossing the white line and then stopping in panic; or even carelessly going straight when the light signal is for a left turn - U-turn...

A driver of a four-seater car said that because he had not yet grasped the information, he continued driving as before, instead of taking the initiative to enter the new left-turn lane. When he saw the turn signal, he continued to change direction as before.

A typical example of this confusion is the case of Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam (38 years old, driving a car from Phu My ward to Vung Tau ward).

He shared that when he arrived at the intersection of Cach Mang Thang Tam (Long Huong ward) and National Highway 51, because he had grasped the new traffic flow information posted in the newspaper and observed the road markings/traffic lights at this intersection, he proactively moved into the lane close to the median strip to wait for the green light to go straight.

However, as soon as he stopped his car, cars behind him honked loudly because, out of old habits, many drivers still think that the lane next to the median strip is the lane for cars turning left or making a U-turn.

Vehicles stop at intersections when given new instructions.

Mr. Nam said: "They honked so hard, I opened the window and pointed at the R.411 sign and the road markings. When they clearly saw the traffic light and the arrow pointing straight in the innermost lane, they realized they were "wrong" and laughed and then backed up to change lanes. This shows that confusion between the old and new "rules" is still very common, even though there are signs at the intersection."

Mr. Nam's case shows that, although new regulations have been fully installed at intersections, traffic habits have become ingrained, surprising drivers.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, during this time, drivers need to slow down when approaching intersections, follow the signs, the direction of travel painted under the lane, as well as traffic lights to follow the regulations. However, when passing through this area, many drivers are still confused by the change.

Need earlier signage

Mr. Nguyen Van Son (50 years old, truck driver) shared: "I think this lane division is very good for big cars like us, the curve is wider when turning left... But the R.411 sign at the intersection is a bit sharp. Many times when we are familiar with the old road, we just go straight in the third lane, and when we get there we see the left turn, U-turn, right turn signs. We have to reduce speed suddenly, it is very easy to cause danger behind".

Similarly, Ms. Tran Thi Bich (35 years old, motorcyclist) said: "Having a soft median strip at the intersection makes motorbikes safer... However, merging from the motorbike lane into the third car lane to turn left or make a U-turn at the intersection feels very dangerous."

Many drivers believe that it is necessary to install signs before entering the intersection. There should be additional signs or large signs about 100 - 200 m before the intersection area (with lane separation diagram) so that drivers have enough time to observe, know and proactively move into the correct lane (go straight, turn left/right, turn around) without causing obstruction to the vehicle behind.

In addition, it is necessary to increase visual propaganda, ensuring that lane markings, especially arrows on the road surface, are clearly drawn and prominent for easy recognition from a distance.

quay đầu đúng.jpg — Cars turn left in the third lane

Traffic adjustments on Highway 51 are necessary to improve safety and reduce congestion. However, given the initial confusion of the people, the authorities need to install long-distance directional signs and strengthen guidance to help maximize the effectiveness of the new traffic diversion plan.