If you drive in Wichita Falls, you’ve probably noticed the blinking lights at intersections across town. New state and federal standards require all new intersections and those where lights are being replaced to have the flashing turn arrows.
One woman told us she witnessed an accident Wednesday at the intersection of Kell West and McNiel, and she said the new lights are creating some dangerous confusion.
Officer Jeff Hughes, with the Wichita Falls Police Department, confirmed there has been more accidents at the intersection after the lights were installed. From October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, there was a total of 3 accidents at Kell East and McNiel. From January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016, there was a total of 4 accidents on Kell West and McNiel and 2 accidents on Kell East and McNiel.
“I think it makes it very difficult, said Mary Ellen Myers. “Some people are unfamiliar with blinking lights, especially the yellow arrows. They’re new and people don’t really know what they mean and this is a very difficult intersection.”
City Traffic Signal Manager, Doug Wooster said the city is required to install the lights.
“That flashing amber arrow makes it easier for people to realize that you can go, but you use caution,” Wooster said. “And the opposing traffic still has the ride away.”
Wooster said the city has been tracking the new lights.
“I drive the whole city all the time and always look for those kind of problems, and I don’t notice it. Other drivers have noticed and said they like not having the red ball at the same time the green ball is there.”
But Myers said she thinks the city should do a better job of educating drivers about the changes, by doing things like posting more signs.
“I think we’re going to have more accidents and bad ones,” said Myers. “Fortunately, no one was hurt in this collision, but they easily could have been.”
And according to Wooster, the city is now in the process of updating all of the lights on Kemp.
The project to replace the lights actually started in 2014 when the city partnered with TxDOT to install a flashing yellow light at Professional Drive and Highway 79.
