LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Changes are coming to some Las Vegas Valley intersections to boost pedestrian safety when drivers make a left turn.
Drivers must look out for pedestrians at all times, especially when making turns.
As data shows, drivers may not always exercise caution when turning onto another street.
In June, FOX5 showed you how data from new technology tracks the trends: out of an analysis of more than 1,800 pedestrian crashes at intersections Valleywide from 2018 to 2022, a number of pedestrian crashes occurred at “angles”: drivers striking a pedestrian as they turned right or left.
At some intersections, pedestrians are allowed to cross the street as drivers turn left.
Clark County leaders recently approved $2 million for light improvements at some left turns.
“When you’re turning left against a flashing yellow, your focus is naturally on the oncoming traffic that is coming… It’s not likely focused on the pedestrian crosswalk,” said Commissioner Michael Naft.
“Making sure that we offer a protected left so that you can turn on a green arrow: it provides a much safer avenue for people to get through those three or four lanes of traffic and the subsequent pedestrian crossing, Naft said. ”We’ve got to continue to invest in infrastructure and implement safety methods that work,” he said.
County officials told FOX5, some changes will also help drivers stay alert for pedestrians during a left turn.
The following intersections will get improvements, first:
- Desert Inn Road and Jones Avenue
- Pebble Road and Las Vegas Boulevard.
Work will occur on other intersections, and according to county officials, locations have not been determined; the cost will vary depending on changes needed.
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