A pair of Savannah intersections are getting new traffic signals that officials said will improve the safety of motorists making left turns.
Beginning Thursday the Georgia Department of Transportation will install new signals at Bourne Avenue’s intersections with both Mikell Avenue and Davidson Road. The new signals use a four-section flashing yellow arrow, of FYA, program to allow an extended period of time for left-turning motorists after they yield to any oncoming traffic, said Jill Nagel, GDOT spokeswoman.
The intersections receiving the FYA signals are both have a heavy volume of left-turning vehicles, Nagel said. The new signals will only impact left-turning drivers.
“The flashing yellow arrow’s primary purpose is to reduce the often-devastating right angle crashes that occur when drivers turning left are struck by oncoming traffic,” stated Cynthia Phillips, District Traffic Engineer at GDOT. “This new traffic signal design will give drivers a clear picture of when they may turn left, when to proceed with caution, and when they should prepare to stop.”
The signal configuration will be a vertical display of four left turn arrows functioning as follows:
• When solid Red arrow is illuminated, no left turn is allowed;
• When solid Yellow arrow is displayed, drivers should prepare to stop as light is about to turn red;
• When flashing Yellow arrow is illuminated, drivers may turn left but must yield to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles; and
• When solid Green arrow is displayed, drivers may turn left.
Federal Highway Administration studies have shown these signals help reduce crashes of left-turning vehicles by as much as 35 percent, according to GDOT. The FYA also offers clearer guidance to drivers turning left and allows them more movement through the intersection when no pedestrians or oncoming traffic are present, thereby reducing back-ups, engine idling and auto emissions, Nagel said.