[DO WATCH OUT AND PLEASE READ!] RISKS AT PERPENDICULAR TRAFFIC LIGHT CROSSINGS!

Dear readers, recently I was waiting at a traffic junction near Carlton Hotel, waiting for the traffic light in front of me to turn from “Red Man” to “Green Man” to cross the roads.

When the traffic light siren (that signals for people to cross the roads) started to play, two elderly ladies in their personal mobility devices started to cross the road.

To the horror and surprise of the women and the people waiting at the traffic junction, the vehicles continued to move towards the women, only to stop in time when the drivers noticed the women. I saw that the women looked quickly at the traffic light, as if to confirm that the traffic light was in their favor to cross. They were visibly surprised to see that it was still Red Man and hence that they should not have crossed! What happened?

Risk 1: Perpendicular Traffic Siren

Well, at the traffic junction, there were two crossings perpendicular to each other. The women crossed the road when they heard the loud siren for the crossing perpendicular to them (as the perpendicular crossing was ready to cross). The women have crossed the road in front of them when they gotten the cue from (heard) the siren (for the crossing perpendicular to them) without confirming by sight (this non confirmation could be understandable as it may be easier for eldery folks to hear than to see).

I was not surprised at the women’s incident. I have a similar experience before at the traffic junction near where I stayed. After fetching my kids and waiting at the traffic junction with perpendicular traffic lights as well, I was about to cross the road in front of me when I heard the traffic siren, only to see vehicles in front of me still moving! It was then that I realized that the siren was for the crossing perpendicular to me!

Risk 2: Following the Herd

There is one more risk at traffic lights. Sometimes, pedestrians in front or next to us decide to cross at the Red Man when there is no traffic. And if we follow suit and assume that they are crossing on Green Man, we may assume that the traffic is stopping for us and may ignore traffic that suddenly appears.

Hence, do watch out every time next time you cross the roads at perpendicular traffic crossings. The onus for all of us is to confirm sight of Green Man before you cross the roads!

I really hope this important piece of road safety can be known to even more so that we can together safeguard more lives! Hence, I will be most Grateful if you can share this article with your loved ones and friends! Thank you!

Be sure to connect with me on Facebook, X , Linkedin, Investingnote if you like my posts!