County Official Shares Concern Over Flashing Yellow Left-Turn Signals
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Dan Spalding-dspalding@timesuniononline.com
Everyone agrees there is a learning curve in knowing how to navigate intersections with flashing yellow left-turn signals that began to debut last year. But one local official believes it’s a dangerous curve that might be worthy of review after three people were killed and two injured this summer in a traffic accident this summer along U.S. 30. The new signals are being phased in over several years across the country, and four can be found along U.S. 30 between Warsaw and Etna Green. The transition is a mandate from the federal government and comes with the intention of moving traffic along more efficiently by allowing more left turns during each signal cycle. But Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington is questioning whether it is too dangerous. Remington, who crosses U.S. 30 on his way to work each day at Kosciusko Community Hospital, said he thinks the flashing yellow left -turn signals are confusing for motorists. That appeared to be the case on Aug. 18 when three people were killed and two seriously injured at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Ind. 19 near Etna Green. The intersection has flashing yellow left-turn signals for motorists traveling east and west on 30. According to police, the driver of the eastbound van, Samita Sood, 37, of Fort Wayne, was one of two survivors and told investigators she saw the flashing yellow signal and proceeded to turn left, but pulled directly into the path of a westbound UPS semi-tractor/trailer. Sood and four passengers were returning from a day of shopping in Michigan City. Two died at the scene and a third died after being transferred to a Fort Wayne hospital. Family members said they believe Sood, who was following other family members in another vehicle ahead, was likely confused with the circumstances, according to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Lt. Chris McKeand, who investigated the accident. When Remington heard about the accident, he suspected the flashing yellow turn signal might have been a factor. “I think there is a right-of-way confusion with the flashing yellow light and I think it’s deadly,” Remington said. He said he believes the flashing light encourages some people to hurry up and cross through the intersection “and then they look up and they realize there is cross traffic coming at them.” “Just watching traffic behavior, I can tell people are confused by it. There’s something about it that I think sends the wrong message,” he said. INDOT has a different outlook. Nichole Thomas, a media relations director for INDOT’s Fort Wayne District, which includes Kosciusko County, said the yellow signal is more intuitive. “Yellow gives you the idea of caution,” she said. “And that’s what we want you to do – turn with caution.” Remington sent a letter to the Indiana Health Department asking them to consider looking for any other similar cases to determine if there is a trend that needs to be further studied. A representative for the health department suggested INDOT?address press inquiries. Thomas called the August accident “an absolute unfortunate incident,” and said state officials are aware of the “learning curve” required by motorists as they adjust to the change. INDOT is installing the signals at intersections deemed appropriate across many of the highways overseen by the state as older signals are replaced. The transition is expected to continue for a few years, Thomas said. Of the four intersections on U.S. 30 that have flashing turn signals, three are directed at east and westbound traffic. At the Parker Street intersection, southbound motorists on Parker have a flashing left yellow in the left turn lane. The new flashing signals on U.S. 30 were installed in 2015 and all include an adjacent sign that reads, “Left turn yield on flashing yellow arrow.” The signals also can be programed and adjusted for special events that may affect traffic, Thomas said. Indiana is one of the last few states to implement the change, she said. “People will be seeing more of these,” she said. “More will probably be cropping up as we continue to upgrade them. We’re advocating that customers begin familiarizing themselves with them now.” “While it might not seem so safe at the beginning, the arrows do show improved statistics” in traffic safety reviews, Thomas said. Indeed, it does appear motorists initially struggle at times with the change. A search on Google can turn up numerous stories from legitimate news websites about accidents that occurred shortly after signals were upgraded. In addition to the accident at Ind. 19, Warsaw Police Capt. Kip Shuter recalled an accident at CR 150W and U.S. 30 in which a driver expressed confusion over the signal soon after the traffic control device was installed. “That was a factor in that,” Shuter said. “Since then, it seems people have adapted pretty well in understanding how they operate,” he said. McKeand said he’s heard some people mention the new signals. “When they first came out, there was a lot of confusion with it. A lot of questions,” McKeand said. “Only time will tell if it was a good move or a bad move,” he said. Thomas said INDOT?is doing everything they can to educate the public. The department has an active social media program with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that offer motorists a chance to comment on issues of concern. People can also call INDOT at 866-227-3555. The state also has some Youtube videos explaining how to use the new signals, Thomas said. She said they’re also willing to host meetings or talk to groups about the changes.
