WE bought a property near the intersection of Vienna Road and Heffernan Street, Alexandra Hills, in February 1993 when there were no traffic lights at this junction.
There have been infrequent vehicle crashes during this time, but the frequency does not seem to have diminished since the lights were installed. Presumably these were installed after requests by parents wishing to turn right from Vienna Road to deliver and collect children from Vienna Woods Primary School in Heffernan Street.
Whatever the reason, from my observation there is a flaw in the sequencing of the lights.
There is a turn right green arrow from Vienna Road which presumably is operated automatically.
This then goes off and leaves green in both directions on Vienna Road. This appears to have allowed traffic accidents over the years by drivers turning right from Vienna Road either not seeing vehicles approaching from the Finucane Road direction or misjudging vehicle speeds.
On Thursday, March 5, there was the most recent accident when two utilities collided and the ambulance had to come for one occupant who appeared to suffer a broken arm.
One evening last year, my wife and I were returning from Capalaba when I had to brake heavily to avoid being hit by an approaching vehicle turning right into Heffernan Street who correctly should have given way to me.
I had previously suggested that in the event of the lights defaulting to two greens that a red no turn arrow be shown which can be activated by the sensors on the turn right lane on Vienna Road.
While I am not familiar with the software for the operation of these lights, I don't imagine it would be too difficult to set up.
This would then provide some legality, though not necessarily safety, to vehicles at this intersection. It seems to function like this at the junction of Finucane and Vienna roads in that there are both red and green arrows for the turn right into Vienna Road.
The last time a representative from Brisbane Traffic department came and examined the area, the conclusion was that after checking with police records, there had not been enough crashes to implement my suggestion.
Police are not required to attend if there are no injuries and or the estimated damage is less than a certain figure.
I now understand that without injury they are not required to be called if the parties involved can resolve the matter at the site.
Using this sort of statistic to justify inaction seems a weak approach.
How many fatalities are needed before something is done? The next one could be me and then I would be "very" upset.
E. Stewart Beveridge, Alexandra Hills
