Indy considers making downtown intersections 'no turn on red'
In an effort to protect pedestrians, the Indianapolis City-County Council is considering banning right-hand turns on red lights in the downtown area.
The intersections include all local streets bounded by 11th Street, Oscar Robertson Boulevard, 10th Street, White River Parkway West Drive, Interstate I-70 and Interstate I-65. That would include all of Mile Square, Mass Ave downtown, and St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood.
“This is an established, best practice in traffic safety and an important policy for protecting people as they walk throughout downtown,” Kim Irwin, Executive Director at Health By Design, said in a media release.
The idea follows a study that looked at a five-year history of pedestrian-related crashes in the downtown area, according to a City-County Council media release.
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The study found 57% were the result of turning vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians at signalized intersections, according to the release. When these types of crashes are compared to countywide values, the number drops to 25%, indicating that pedestrians downtown are two times more likely to be involved in a crash due to a turning vehicle than in other parts of the city, the release stated.
"As downtown continues to grow, it's critically important to ensure connectivity, accessibility, and safety for all," Council President Vop Osili said in the media release. "'No turn on red' restrictions are the most straightforward way to avoid entirely preventable accidents.
The Public Works Committee will consider the idea, which is included in multiple proposals, April 13. The council could vote as soon as May 8.
Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis considers 'no turn on red' at downtown intersections
