@benfulton @redfox @FlyingSquid
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/17/right-turn-on-red-light-ban
"Turning right on red was only legal in a few states until the 1970s, when the federal government, facing an oil crisis, told states to allow it – or lose their energy funding. The idea was that cars would use less fuel if they avoided sitting at red lights. That law remains in place, despite 1984 research showing that at intersections allowing right-on-red, crashes jump 23%, pedestrian crashes increase by 60%, and cyclist crashes double.
Bikevisionary
joined 1 year ago
@benfulton @redfox @FlyingSquid
https://www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its-time-for-a-nationwide-ban-of-right-on-red
"It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022437582900019) found that the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes involving conflicts between a pedestrian or cyclist and a right-turning vehicle. In Ohio, such collisions rose 57% for pedestrians and 80% for cyclists; in Wisconsin, the figures were 107% and 72%, respectively.
@benfulton @redfox @FlyingSquid
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198223000696?via%3Dihub) helps to explain why right-on-red is so problematic. The authors examined people’s behavior behind the wheel, concluding that “at red-light turns, driver attention was heavily skewed toward leftward traffic.” The dangers of that orientation are obvious, especially since a “Walk” sign could be inviting pedestrians and cyclists to cross in front of the turning car.
@benfulton @bloomington_in ruining my positive view of Bloomington residents...thought they would be all supportive of sustainable transportation choices.