Transport Canberra has reminded motorists that U-turns at Wizard Street in Gungahlin are now banned following near misses with light rail.
The agency said additional signage had been erected at the Flemington Road/Wizard Street traffic light intersection to remind southbound motorists to be safe on the road and not perform illegal U-turns.
“This follows eight near misses since April 2019 that required light rail vehicles to apply the emergency break to avoid a major collision,” Transport Canberra said.
According to the Executive Branch Manager for Light Rail Operations at Transport Canberra, Jo Dawson, National Road Safety Week, this week made it important to highlight the need to follow road rules at intersections and to be aware of light rail vehicles.
“Light rail is part of Canberra’s landscape,” Ms Dawson said. “It is vital that we take important steps to be safe.
“We all need to be vigilant when near light rail tracks whether we are passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders and motorists.”
She said motorists were not permitted to perform U-turns at traffic light intersections in Canberra because in many locations undertaking a U-turn would conflict with other traffic movements and could be hazardous.
“At locations where U-turns are allowed signage is displayed at those particular areas advising motorists ‘U Turn permitted’ Ms Dawson said.
She said ACT Policing had issued 38 infringements and 48 cautions to 31 October this year for motorists performing illegal U-turns.
