New Traffic Light Installed to Prevent Light Rail Accidents

http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-new-traffic-light-installed-to-prevent-light-rail-accidents-20111010,0,4221359.story

"It shows the LRV going down the tracks. The video shows that we had the proper signal to go across this intersection at Second Street,” says Ron Edwards of HRT Safety and Security.

It also shows the car sailing right through and the crash. One specific camera angle shows the driver turning around and driving away. No passengers were on the train since light rail was still being tested.  The driver of the car was found, but it's still not clear that person is or whether any charges were filed.

"If the operator of automobile had followed the traffic laws there, this incident would have been prevented," says Edwards.

Two months later, the intersection now has a functioning traffic light.  An illuminated sign says no turns on red.  On the day of the crash, the traffic lights flashed red but drivers could still turn unless a train was coming. The driver of the Toyota Camry clearly didn't pay attention to that. 

"When it was blinking, I knew I could creep up, listen, and look and go.  Now I got a green light,” says Edwina Gorman of Norfolk.

Both HRT and the city are hoping the new traffic light at this intersection will keep people more aware, and keep crash like this from happening again.

www.wtkr.com