The new flashing yellow left turn signals

The in basket: Peggy Lee of Port Orchard says her husband and her “have noticed that a large majority of the left-turn signals (there) have been set to a flashing yellow.
“I have witnessed a number of near-miss car accidents,” she said, “where cars tired of waiting for traffic to clear have turned in front of on-coming traffic and have nearly been broad-sided…
“I was wondering if you could find out the rational behind changing the left turn signals to flashing yellow. I would also like to make a complaint to whomever has made this decision,” she said.

The in basket: Peggy Lee of Port Orchard says her husband and her “have noticed that a large majority of the left-turn signals (there) have been set to a flashing yellow. 
“I have witnessed a number of near-miss car accidents,” she said, “where cars tired of waiting for traffic to clear have turned in front of on-coming traffic and have nearly been broad-sided… 
“I know that I have altered my route so that I (do) not have to deal with on-coming traffic at the turn lanes with flashing yellow arrows. This has caused me to drive further and waste more gas, which as you know can get really expensive, but I am willing to spend the money rather than be in a car accidents,” Peggy said.
“I was wondering if you could find out the rational behind changing the left turn signals to flashing yellow.  I would also like to make a complaint to whomever has made this decision,  I feel that (it) is going to result in more accidents and with someone getting seriously hurt,” she said.
Jack and Ann Fickle also question the change. “Why was the money wasted putting in that flashing yellow arrow at all the lights on Mile Hill?” they asked in an e-mail.
“Anyone with common sense wouldn’t pull out in front of oncoming traffic.
“Surely the money could have been spent better for signal lights other places,” they conclude.
The out basket: Consider the complaint sent to the decision makers, as Doug Bear of Kitsap County Public Works says he forwarded my inquiry on Peggy’s behalf to the county traffic engineer.
He also said these are the first negative reactions the county has gotten to the change.
The reasons for it can be found on line at www.kitsapgov.com/pw/leftturn.htm. The site says, in part, “A new signal indication, the flashing yellow arrow, has been operating successfully around the country and has been well received by motorists. The flashing yellow arrow indicates that after yielding to oncoming traffic you may proceed with the left-turn movement. The signal reduces driver frustration and accidents, and improves the operation of the intersection. At busy intersections where many drivers turn left the capacity of the intersection increases greatly,” the site says.
The light in front of Wal-Mart on Bethel Road was the first to get the flashing yellow, in February, and since then four lights on Mile Hill Drive – at California Avenue, Woods Road, Long Lake Road and in front of South Park Village – have been added.
“Other signals will be converted as this new technology proves safe and workable, and funding becomes available,” the site says.
Whether you agree with Peggy and the Fickles or like the new style of light, you can comment on it at the bottom of the above Web site. Or you can call the Open Line at (360) 337-5777 if you don’t have access to the Internet.
The flashing yellow means the same thing and replaces the green ball light with a sign saying left turners must yield to oncoming traffic. Both are usually displayed after a green turn arrow that DOES give the turner the right of way. I don’t see much difference between them, but the county thinks the green ball is more likely to be construed to give the left turner right of way he or she doesn’t have.
I live on Mile Hill Drive and haven’t seen any of the close calls Peggy describes, nor has my wife, she tells me. Even if I had, I think I’d feel safer just slowing down and being extra careful at those signals than using the twisting, turning alternative routes on either side of Mile Hill Drive that Peggy must be using.