The city of Midland, Texas, is experiencing some growing pains, and among those pains is an increase in the number of traffic accidents. Instead of wringing our hands while waiting for the city to come up with something, let's point out a common sense thing that could help without the need for an expensive consultant. Paint the lane markers.
The photo spread below is the same photo spliced together. The intersection is Midland Drive and Andrews Highway which, depending on the time period under review, is either the worst or near the worst intersection in terms of traffic accidents. One obvious problem is that a driver can turn left from two lanes, but once the driver enters the intersection, it's no-man's-land in terms of lane separation. And drivers in either lane, whether they realize it or not, tend to change lanes in the middle of the intersection. A little bit of white paint would cure that and maybe reduce the number of accidents.
The photo shows the intersection on the left as it appeared Saturday morning with lane markings barely visible due to wear and tear from heavy traffic. The same photo on the right contains some photoshopped lane markings to show what it should look like.
This problem is obvious to anyone who has entered that intersection, but it may take a high priced consultant to get the attention of the decision makers.
Comments