SLOWING DOWN AT JUNCTIONS REDUCES ACCIDENT RATES - HERE'S HOW

How A Simple 'Pause' Slashes Accident Rates by 47%

"Slowing down saves lives," is no longer an idle lecture for reckless drivers. A groundbreaking study by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ties a humble intersection delay to a whopping 47% drop in pedestrian conflicts. Let's delve deeper.

The Magic of a Momentary Delay

Such reductions in pedestrian mishaps came, against all odds, from extending the beginning of the green signal phase for pedestrians while keeping vehicles at a standstill. This countermeasure, known as the Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI), allows pedestrians to firmly establish their presence in intersections before any vehicle movement.



Imagine you're at an intersection with a walk sign. As a pedestrian, you get to cross a few seconds earlier while vehicles still see the red light. This extra time boosts your visibility, increases your safety and also improves the flow of foot traffic.

The Power of the Pause: A Deep Dive into the Data

According to the FHWA's study, when this critical safety measure, the LPI, is implemented, pedestrian and vehicle crashes at intersections plummeted near...