Why install traffic lights when the road has no intersection?

(HG) - Recently, on National Highway 1, near Rach Chiec Bridge (Bridge No. 10), from Cai Tac to Can Tho, a traffic light pole was installed, while there is no intersection or crossroads here. Many people passing through this area believe that the installation of the light is redundant and ineffective, when there is also a traffic light pole on the other side of Bridge No. 10.

Installing an additional traffic light pole in front of Rach Chiec Bridge aims to stretch out the traffic flow and reduce the speed of vehicles passing through the intersection between National Highway 1 and Provincial Road 925.

Talking to reporters about this issue, Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh, Chief of Office of the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee, said that due to the terrain characteristics, the intersection between National Highway 1 and Provincial Road 925 is located close to Rach Chiec Bridge (about 80m from the intersection). If only one set of traffic lights is used at the intersection between National Highway 1 and Provincial Road 925, there will be a risk of traffic congestion right at the road leading to Rach Chiec Bridge, increasing the risk of traffic insecurity.

Among the causes of accidents, many are due to vehicles traveling on National Highway 1 (from Nga Bay to Can Tho) at high speed, due to drivers trying to increase engine power to pass Rach Chiec bridge. When just passing Rach Chiec bridge, there is an intersection with high traffic volume, causing the accident.

Through studying the terrain in the area, the relevant units agreed to install an additional traffic light pole in front of the road leading to Rach Chiec bridge, with the aim of extending the flow of vehicles through this intersection, to reduce the risk of congestion, limit stopping vehicles in dangerous areas, with complex terrain (bridge construction limits visibility, near the market area, hospital, intersecting with the provincial road to the district center with high traffic density), especially forcing drivers to move through dangerous areas at moderate speed.

In fact, since its operation, vehicles have been moving through the intersection very smoothly, without any traffic congestion in the area, and vehicles are moving through at a moderate speed, consistent with the traffic capacity of the intersection. In the coming time, the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee will continue to study and adjust the traffic light signal time to match the traffic volume to ensure safety and convenience for traffic participants.

News and photos: BAO LINH

Source