Left turns at red lights to be allowed in new traffic trial

THE light may be red, but motorists will be allowed to turn left anyway at several sites around Brisbane. Find out where.

FIVE Brisbane intersections will allow left turns at red lights in a six-month trial by Brisbane City Council.

The two northside sites are Bowen Street into Lutwyche Road in Windsor and in Newstead, Maud Street into Breakfast Creek Road.

Infrastructure chairman Adrian Schrinner said homes near the sites would receive letters to tell them of the change and intersections would be signed, alerting motorists to stop and look before turning.

The trial comes a year after a similar move on the Gold Coast, which started in April after a new state government policy was brought in last year.

The RACQ criticised the move at the time, saying it led to a greater risk of death and injury for road users.

RACQ senior traffic engineer Greg Miszkowycz said these concerns were still valid, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians.

"It relies a lot on drivers obeying the rules of left turn on red, which is coming to a complete stop then giving way to all traffic," Mr Miszkowycz said.

He said one of the outcomes of the Gold Coast's trial was that drivers weren't applying the rule consistently.

"That means that drivers weren't coming to a complete stop and the concerns for pedestrians and cyclists are compounded by people not obeying the correct road rules," he said.

"But this is a trial being conducted by Brisbane City Council so we're interested in the results of this particular trial because this is assessing more locations."

Matthew Bamkin of Light and Shade Media co-director, whose business is next to the changed intersection, questioned the change.

"I reckon it's a good idea but it's probably the most dangerous intersection in Brisbane to open the first one from," he said.

"It's a bit obstructed with the bus stop and the tree. I've seen plenty of accidents at this intersection.

"The accidents happen with nose to tails with people at the top of the hill not seeing the stoplight at the bottom. It's a good idea, perhaps just not here.

"Are people really waiting here that long that they need to turn left quickly?"

All Car Interiors business owner Stuart Whitson said he avoided Bowen St because of the delays.

"It'll save me five minutes being able to turn left there straight away. It just takes too long, especially when there's nothing there [no traffic] most of the time."

But Cr Schrinner said the locations were selected after being assessed for safety against Department of Transport and Main Roads guidelines, including parameters for sight distance, pedestrian activity, cyclist activity and sufficient clearance for buses and trucks.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the changes could make a big difference to congestion.

Left turn on red is already used at certain intersections in New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia and the ACT.

- additional reporting Bill Johnston

What do you think?

Email [e-mail]

THE RULES

Drivers must come to a complete stop, give way to all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists, before turning left on red.

THE TRIAL SITES

Left turn from Bowen St into Lutwyche Rd, Windsor

Left turn from Maud St into Breakfast Creek Rd Newstead

Left turn from Hellawell Rd into Gowan Rd, Sunnybank

Left turn from Edge St into Creek Rd, Cannon Hill

Left turn from Spence St into Broadwater Rd, Wishart