Restricting right turns on red lights could become a new measure in the City of Delta.
A recent staff response to a recommendation put forward in a letter by the HUB Cycling TFN Delta Committee notes the city is currently developing its Vision Zero traffic safety strategy, and will explore the feasibility of the measure in future safety improvement projects.
The recent letter by the advocacy group to council notes that the group is seeking council’s help addressing the pressing issue of enhancing safety at local intersections and one such measure involves “the thoughtful reconsideration of allowing right turns on red lights.”
Numerous studies have demonstrated that removing right turns on red lights can significantly decrease the number of crashes, particularly between people driving and people walking, rolling or cycling, HUB notes.
According to ICBC, approximately 60 per cent of crashes occur at intersections, so removing right turns on red lights is one more way, alongside other measures, that can reduce injuries and fatalities.
“In areas where right turns on red are allowed, people driving tend to prioritize watching for oncoming traffic from their left, often overlooking people walking, cycling or using a wheelchair to cross the intersection on their right. An advance walk signal for people walking and cycling can help mitigate this,” the letter states.
According to HUB, other municipalities across Metro Vancouver, including the City of North Vancouver and the City of Burnaby, have adopted motions or are exploring motions to remove right turns on red lights at high-crash intersections in their cities.
HUB Cycling is also advocating for province-wide legislation prohibiting right turns on red as part of Motor Vehicle Act Reforms.
