Flashing signal reduces accidents in Jumeirah

Dubai: After its successful experiment on Jumeirah Road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is considering installing the flashing green signal system on all major junctions in the city.

Traffic accidents associated with jumping red signals have reduced by 54 per cent on Jumeirah Road since introducing the flashing green signal system, said Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA. She said the number of offences reported on this road in August dropped to 983 from 1,812 offences reported in July.

She said the RTA started the project of installing the flashing green signal system at key intersections in some areas of Dubai last month as a preliminary stage before implementing the project at key intersections and busy spots in the emirate.

"Now we are considering implementing it all over Dubai because it has been a success," she said.

She said the new system aims at minimising jumping red signal accidents, and enabling motorists to estimate the remaining time of the signal.

Cautionary notice

According to operational mechanisms of the flashing green signal system, the green signal changes from the constant green colour to the flashing green colour, and then moves to the yellow colour followed by the red one.

At the end of the period specified for the green signal, the signal flashes three times as a cautionary notice that the specified period for proceeding with driving is ending. The driver can then safely judge the situation either to proceed, if he or she has entered the critical zone, or stop if proceeding with driving would pose potential risks to other road users.

She said the system is used in many countries with advanced traffic systems.

According to operational mechanisms of the flashing green signal system, the green signal changes from the constant green colour to the flashing green colour, and then moves to the yellow colour followed by the red one.