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Understanding the purpose and impact of intersection diverters

On Behalf of | Apr 14, 2015 | Auto-Pedestrian Accidents

New Jersey residents may be interested in one type of traffic control method that could potentially lead to an intersection accident if installed incorrectly. Additionally, these installations negatively affect those who they are supposed to benefit.

In many neighborhoods, islands are built into intersections to prevent vehicles from moving freely through that intersection. These islands are known as diverters. They can come in different styles, depending on the purpose of the diverter. For instance, a diagonal diverter stops vehicles from cutting through the intersection. It forces the vehicles to make either right or left turns in specific directions allowed by the diverter. A star-style diverter, on the other hand, allows vehicles to make only right turns in the intersection.

A diverter’s main purpose is to prevent drivers from cutting through certain neighborhoods by rerouting them around the entrance to that neighborhood. The people most affected by a diverter, however, are the ones living near them. Therefore, experts recommend that less-restrictive methods are considered first before installing diverters in an intersection. Because of this, the support of neighbors should be strong before a diverter is built. Experts caution that those who are tasked with installing the diverters, which average around $26,000 to build, take into account bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Allowance for these and emergency vehicles to pass through the diverters can be important in avoiding accidents and other serious issues.

A pedestrian accident, whether caused by a distracted driver or a failure to yield, can cause serious injuries to the pedestrian involved. An attorney may be able to examine the results of the police investigation and bring legal action against the driver responsible. This may result in compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages suffered by the victim.

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