The Institute of Transportation is to introduce new traffic markings aimed at reducing accidents caused by motorcycles at intersections, which last year killed more than 200 people.
According to a Ministry of Transportation and Communications think tank, the new markings are to feature two parallel white lines with arrowheads on the right-turn lane of intersections to remind motorcyclists that the lane can be used both by motorcycles turning right and going straight.
Motorcyclists making a right turn need to stay on the right side of the turn lane, whereas those going straight need to stay on the left side of the turn lane.
National Taiwan University’s Department of Civil Engineering professor Hsu Tien-pen (許添本) is in charge of the project and said that motorcyclists usually stay to the right.
“When they reach the intersection and discover that many cars intend to make a right turn as well, they slow down and try to find a space to ride through,” Hsu said.
“Traffic accidents can occur if either the car or the motorcycle does not slow down,” he said.
Hsu said that traffic signs should guide the motorcyclists who want to go straight toward the left side of the right-turn lane, so that those who want to make a right turn have enough room to do so.
Institute statistics showed that 46.7 percent of accidents at intersections involving motorcyclists last year occurred when vehicles driving forward and those making a right or left turn collided.
The institute categorized this type of traffic accident as a side collision.
The institute said that 62,179 traffic accidents fell into this category last year, killing 233 motorcyclists and injuring 82,024 others.
The institute said that it tested the effectiveness of the markings at eight intersections in Taichung and Kaohsiung, which have high side collision rates.
It also conducted a survey among motorcyclists and found that about 80 percent understand what the markings mean and said they would follow the instructions.
The institute also found that the distance between motorcycles moving straight ahead and those turning right increased by an average of 21 percent, and the distance between vehicles making a right turn and the edge of the lane was reduced by about 10 percent.
The institute said that it would continue monitoring the results for about one year and would introduce the markings at intersections nationwide if it is proven to be effective in curbing accidents at intersections.
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