Vinh City: Pedestrians feel unsafe when going through a 'red light allowed to go straight' point

Ho Tung Mau Street and Truong Thi Street are two major roads of the city.Vinh City, has a high volume of traffic, often causing congestion during rush hour, therefore, since January 2021, Vinh City has installed "red light allowed to go straight" signs at traffic light clusters at the intersections of Ho Tung Mau - Nguyen Van Cu and Truong Thi - An Duong Vuong.

Pedestrians face danger when crossing the street at red lights at the intersection of Ho Tung Mau - Nguyen Van Cu. Photo: NC

Although the installation of signs has helped reduce traffic congestion on these two major routes, in reality, at red light times, there are also "half-crying, half-laughing" situations at these traffic points.

According to the reporter's records, because these intersections are located next toSquareHo Chi Minh City has a large number of people exercising in the early morning and afternoon, often having to pass through these points. The fact that vehicles are still allowed to go straight, while pedestrians are also allowed to cross the street at the same time when the light is red, makes pedestrians feel worried and insecure.

Some vehicles speeding and recklessly overtaking make pedestrians "shudder" when passing through the Truong Thi - An Duong Vuong intersection. Photo: NC

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, a resident of Truong Thi ward, said: "I often exercise every afternoon at the Square. Before, crossing the street at the intersection was very difficult.Ho Tung Mau- Nguyen Van Cu was very easy, but now we have to be very careful. The sign "red light, allowed to go straight" has made the vehicles passing through here almost have no time to rest, especially when there are times when many young people speed, overtake recklessly, and weave, so we are very afraid of having an accident...".

In addition, although the sign has been installed for more than a month, many traffic participants still stop at red lights out of habit and do not pay attention to this sign, especially those from the districts coming to Vinh City. Therefore, the vehicles behind honk loudly to urge the people in front to continue moving, causing chaos and local congestion.

Many vehicles wanted to pass, however, the vehicles in front did not pay attention to the sign and stopped waiting for the red light. Photo: NC

Mr. Huy, a taxi driver, was upset: "There was a day when I had to pick up a passenger urgently, and at the intersectionSchool of Examinations- At An Duong Vuong, I saw a row of motorbikes stopped at a red light. I had to get off and point at the sign so they would know and continue moving...".

Some opinions say that,Vinh CityIt is necessary to revise the content of the signs and pay attention to reducing speed, observing, and giving way to pedestrians at these intersections; or change the light signals to ensure safety for both pedestrians and drivers.

Although it has been installed for a long time, many people are not familiar with this sign. Photo: NC

It is known that after many comments, Vinh Urban Infrastructure Management and Development Joint Stock Company - the unit that installed these signs, is asking for opinions to remove these two signs; at the same time, proposing a plan to renovate the two traffic light clusters at the two intersections above to both resolve the traffic jam and ensure safety for pedestrians when passing through here.