News

The Federal Highway Administration says the new flashing-yellow-arrow signals popping up in left-turn lanes throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region since 2008 are safer than their predecessors.

But in Thomas Township, at M-46 and Miller, an intersection that utilizes the new light, recent statistical data reveals otherwise.

Police recorded five crashes since the Department of Transportation installed one of the new lights on Aug. 12, including one accident that knocked unconscious and hospitalized a motorist for multiple days, Thomas Township Police Chief Steven Kocsis said.

There is going to be a learning curve, because it is new technology, MDOT Spokeswoman Anita Richardson said.

"It's a different kind of light than people are used to," Kocsis said. "If you pay attention to what the light is telling you to do.. and do as your told, I can see where they're more efficient.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2010/10/new_flashing_yellow_left-turn.html