Several local citizens were joined by Mayor Ronnie Williams, Council Members Rosemary Eli and Betty Sawyer-Smith, city officials and a contingent from Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) in a public meeting to present plans for flashing yellow traffic signals in Natchitoches Thursday, May 11 at the city council chambers.
The signals are part of a federal mandate from the Federal Highway Administration to increase traffic safety at intersections with dedicated turn lanes. In the present system, there is a green arrow, allowing traffic in the dedicated left turn lane to make the turn as the opposing traffic lanes have a red light. When the arrow goes away, there is a solid green light meaning motorists may turn left, but do not have the right of way. Unfortunately, too many drivers were seeing the green light and falsely assuming they had the right of way, resulting in needless accidents.
The new system will only be for the dedicated left turn lanes. Like the old system, there will be a solid green arrow and a red light. In addition, there will be a solid yellow arrow which means “prepare to stop” and a flashing yellow arrow meaning “Yield, turn with caution.” Studies by the Federal Highway Administration have shown this new system greatly reduces accidents caused by people turning left at intersections when they do not have the right of way.
These new lights have already been installed in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, Lake Charles and in parts of Shreveport. Natchitoches, Covington, and Houma are next on the DOTD’s list. One major benefit for Natchitoches, aside from increased traffic safety, will be that as the new lights are installed, worn or damaged traffic lights will be replaced by DOTD, a major help to our budget.
