The harmful effects of traffic lights count down

Traffic lights for pedestrians crossing the street feature a countdown of time, which can lead to an increase in car collisions.

According to a Canadian research group, contrary to the effect of traffic lights that feature a countdown of time to help pedestrians cross the road more safely, they are the cause of more collisions when driving. The car tries to zoom quickly in time.

Particularly in Toronto city, the research team observed nearly 1,800 intersections in the period from 2004-2008.

Accordingly, at the intersection with lights counting down the time for pedestrians, the average number of accidents that occur between people crossing and cars decreases 5 times / month compared to the intersection without this lamp, but the number collisions between cars increased 22 times / month.

Scientists say the effect of the digital clock on the pedestrian beacons varies, depending on the type of intersection. It can make safe places (before installing this lamp) more dangerous and vice versa.

The team thinks that drivers often look at the pedestrian time signal to decide whether to try to cross the intersection or stop. Therefore, they suggest authorities to install traffic lights so pedestrians receive a countdown signal but the driver does not.