Countdown crosswalks may not be safe, but London wants more

Crosswalk timer

A University of Toronto study shows that contrary to what some may think, countdown crosswalks may make intersections more dangerous for drivers.

Yet, London city hall still plans to install more than a dozen new devices this year at intersections.

Researchers Arvind Magesan and Sacha Kapoor observed 1,794 intersections in Toronto between 2004 and 2008.

Their research suggests these crosswalks increase the number of accidents at previously safe intersections.

Some drivers admit to using the clock to determine if they should slow down or stop.

It’s believed the countdown changes how drivers interpret the flashing hand signal.

Without countdowns, drivers aren’t certain when a green light will change to amber. Drivers will enter the intersection more cautiously then.

But if they know when the amber light is coming, some speed up to beat the light.

London’s first countdown crosswalk was installed in 2009 and now there are close to 75, almost one out of every five signaled intersections in the city.

The city looked at previous studies that show countdowns have a net benefit to safety, but this new research has prompted the city to test crosswalk signals that shield numbers from drivers.

“We have some that we will try out particularly to see if they have any benefit,” says Shane Maguire, the city’s division manager of roadway lighting and traffic control.

With files from CTVNews.ca