Genesee County breaks out new turn signals- ABC12.com (WJRT)

Left turn singals to be installed at intersection of Pierson and Linden
By Joel Feick GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -- (09/18/09) -- There will be a new traffic signal at a busy intersection in Mt. Morris Township next week, but not everybody is happy about it.
The Genesee County Road Commission will install new left turn signals at Pierson and Linden on Monday. Although it's being introduced all over the U.S., some fear there could be problems.
For motorists, Pierson and Linden has become a challenge at certain times of the day. So to alleviate the confusion, the road commission will install new four-arrow lights, incorporating flashing yellow left turn signals.
Some motorists feel the change will, as one former Flint mayor liked to say, go over like "puke on a new carpet."
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"I think they're out of their minds," said Flint resident Jeff Maksymowski. "You have too many people on their cell phones. There will be more accidents out here."
The signal will consist of four phases. A steady red arrow means stop. A steady yellow arrow is a warning that the signal is about to change to red, and you should prepare to stop.
A flashing yellow arrow means turn left when oncoming traffic is clear. A steady green arrow means go ahead and turn left.
A federal highway administration study shows the new signals help prevent accidents, but some feel that's a lot to remember in a split second.
Leave it like it is right now," said Jim Lozier of Flint. "(At) lunch time, people are backed up here for a blinking yellow light to turn. People are probably going to sit here for a while."
A road commission spokeswoman says Michigan is now the only state with flashing red left turn lights. You'll see more and more of the new flashing yellow arrows in the months to come as the signal is being introduced nationwide.
Eventually, the flashing red left turn signals will be gone.




http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7021788

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• Flashing Red Left Turn Signal
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[9softail9]

Genesee county sucks!

[Mudimush]

The difference between flashing yellow arrow and circular green is the message given to drivers who are NOT turning left. Advantages for flashing yellow arrow: More turning time, eliminates the yellow trap hazard, allows sequences that can't be used if turns can go on circular green, more two-way streets with green light progression from intersection to intersection, saves gasoline.

[kffive]

FEDS cramming EURO Trash down our throats. Go to Canada if you can't drive.

[msk578]

These types of signals are popping up all over the country now a days. I actually do like them as the flashing yellow tells drivers to be more careful when making the left turn instead of just blowing through the solid green as we see at current left turn yield intersections. Plus, the DOT's can program the lights a bit easier so that a red arrow is only used during certain times and at others the flashing yellow.

[StephonDWatson]

@9softail9 Since I never been to Genesee County, what sucks about that county?

[deloreanman14]

Jeez....the way these people were reacting you'd think the DOT was asking them to perform brain surgery. Judging a gap in traffic is not rocket science.

[sbeer6er]

ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE FLASHING YELLOW IF ANYONE HAS NOTICED IS WHEN YOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO STARE UP AT THE LIGHT TO SEE IF IT'S BLINKING OR NOT AND THE LATE TURNING PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN NEAR ACCIDENTS!