The risk of collisions on four-lane roads without a raised kerb traffic island, compared to four-lane roads with a raised kerb traffic island is increased up to 616%, according to a Department of Public Works study.
Based on results from the study, risk of collisions on two-lane roads without a raised kerb traffic island is increased by 234%.
The above data refer to road collisions per kilometre without taking into account road collisions occurred at traffic lights.
If all road collisions are taken into account, including those in traffic light-controlled junctions on two-lane roads without a raised kerb traffic island, then the risk of collisions is increased by 151% compared to two-lane roads with a raised kerb traffic island.
As far as four-lane roads without a raised kerb traffic island go, the risk of collisions is increased 399% compared to four-lane roads with a raised kerb traffic island.
In the study, which took into account statistics and data gathered by Police, data from 41 points in highways were analysed.
In some of these main roads – highways, more than one point was taken into account, and in particular, points where there was a raised kerb traffic island, and points where the raised kerb traffic island was cut off.
The aim of the study was to objectively evaluate based on real data, the effectiveness of the implementation of the measure of natural separation of lanes with raised kerb central divider traffic islands, on main roads in the urban road network of Cyprus with mainly commercial developments, which concentrate a large number of incoming traffic and an increased number of pedestrian crossings.
The evaluation was made based on the traffic collision statistics kept at Police Headquarters for the period of January 2013 to June 2018.
The findings of the study also state that the raised kerb central divider traffic island effectively prevents illegal right-hand turns, illegal U-turns, illegal overtaking, illegal parking on the opposite side of the road, and uncontrolled traffic.
(Philenews)
