"Flashing Lights - Do they Really Slow Traffic?"
Flashing beacons (commonly called flashers or
flashing lights) are frequently requested in the belief that they will reduce
vehicle speeds. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. The following discussion
of flashing beacons is offered in the interest of broader public understanding
of what flashers can do and what factors must be considered before they should
be installed.
Effective Usages Of Flashers
A flasher is generally installed at an intersection
or in conjunction with a warning sign in advance of an area requiring greater
than normal care by the average driver. Flashing beacons serve a useful purpose
where the flashing yellow is used to alert drivers to unusual conditions that
are not readily apparent, such as: obstructions in the roadway, uncommon
roadway conditions, narrow bridges, or unusual conditions hidden from the
motorists’ view. One of the more common locations where a flasher can be used
effectively is at a signalized intersection located just beyond a vertical or a
horizontal curve, when the intersection is hidden from the view of approaching
travelers.
For any flasher to be effective, it must
command the respect of the traveling public. In other words, immediately after
seeing a flasher, the driver must consistently see an unusual condition which
is being singled out for attention. Furthermore, the condition that the driver
sees must be viewed as serious enough to justify his having been alerted.
Unjustified Flashers
When flashers are used improperly and
installed at locations where they are not warranted, they soon lose much of
their effectiveness. They simply cease to command the respect of the drivers.
What happens is that after continually being
alerted to a condition which seldom, if ever, appears to be truly unusual,
drivers actually stop "seeing" the flasher. When this happens,
flashers which are truly needed may well be disregarded by drivers who have
become conditioned to believe that flashers are just "window dressing.” Because
of this normal human reaction, even one improper usage greatly reduces the
effectiveness of essential flashers.
Symptom Versus Problem
Quite often, requests for flashers are
emotional responses to symptoms, rather than attempts to solve underlying problems.
To put this into perspective, let's use an
appropriate analogy: the case of measles. Obviously, to cure a patient who has
measles, the disease itself (measles) must be treated - not the symptom (rash).
In traffic control, it is not uncommon for public responses to be directed at
treating symptoms.
For example, in cases where concerned
parents are requesting flashers on pedestrian warning signs, a traffic
investigation all too frequently reveals that:
- There is no "safe route to school" plan for the school.
- There is no pedestrian safety program in the school.
- Very young children are allowed to travel to school by whatever
route they prefer.
- Parents are willing to abdicate their responsibilities by placing
the entire burden for pedestrian safety on a traffic control device.
- Local law enforcement officials turn a blind eye to pedestrian
traffic violations.
- Where traffic laws are enforced by conscientious law enforcement
officials, parents claim that the fault lies in inadequate traffic control
devices, not in their children's actions.
Flashers that are installed when these
unwarranted conditions exist result in the following:
- The flasher soon becomes part of the normal driving environment and
is ignored.
- The community continues to avoid treating the real problem.
- Other flashers, which are justified, are frequently disregarded by
drivers conditioned to believe that flashers can be safely disregarded.
Summary
In summary, when flashers are properly
located, they serve a useful function. When they are used improperly and
installed in locations where they are not warranted, they soon lose much, if
not all, of their effectiveness. More seriously, improper usage greatly reduces
the effectiveness of other flashers installed in areas where there is a real
need.
Above all, it is essential to prove that
there is a problem which can be solved through the installation of a flasher
before actually employing one. Too often, flashers are installed when someone
assumes there is, or is going to be, a problem. It is of the utmost importance
that flasher installation beheld to a minimum in order to maintain a high
degree of respect for the flasher installations that are truly needed.
If you have any questions about Flashing
Beacons, please contact the City of Spokane, Traffic Operations Division at
(509) 232-8800.
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