[ad_1]
Probably a rare Vilnius driver could say that he never drove on Geležinio Vilko street from or to the Molėtai highway. Only in the section between the two-level intersection with Ozo Street and Baltupiai is the safest pedestrian crossing in Vilnius.
Drivers hardly want to go here
“Have you ever had to drive down Geležinio Vilko Street, Vilnius? Quite a strange question, maybe even stupid. Hundreds of thousands of drivers would answer: yes, it was. Residents and guests of the capital use this vital artery of the city’s infrastructure on a daily basis. And in it they really had to notice that only the unregulated crosswalk …
It is an unsafe crosswalk – hardly many of those hundreds of thousands of drivers would want to take advantage of it by walking rather than crossing it in their car. After all, metal provides better impact protection than bare skin and flesh. For the owner of the road – Vilnius c. sav. Management: This very unsafe crosswalk has been the subject of repeated complaints.
Because the owner of the road (administrator) must ensure that the road is suitable for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and complies with the requirements of the laws (Road Safety Law of the Republic of Lithuania) ”, says the problem 15 minutes reader Simon.
Simon presents himself as “an indifferent citizen who would like to see the responsibility for problems on the roads sometimes fall not only on drivers or pedestrians, but also on those who sit in cabinets, drawing crossing schemes” .
It’s an unsafe crosswalk – just many of those hundreds of thousands of drivers would want to take advantage of it by walking rather than crossing their car.
Don’t you follow the rules?
According to him, this crosswalk does not meet the standards for the organization of crosswalks on roads and streets.
One of those rules is “an existing crosswalk must be changed to another means to organize the crossing or canceled if it meets at least one of the following conditions: 21.2. the permitted speed on the section of the street where the pedestrian crossing is installed is greater than 50 km / h; It is forbidden to artificially reduce the speed limit by means of traffic signals in front of a pedestrian crossing to circumvent the condition of this point ”.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Pedestrian crossing
“The speed limit on Geležinio Vilko street is 80 km / h, and the actual speed is 90-100 km / h. Just before the aforementioned pedestrian crossing, the prohibited traffic sign No. 329, limiting the speed limit 50 km / h After passing the crossing, there is a traffic sign No. 329, limiting the speed limit to 80 km / h, manifest violation of said PPOT 21.2 point.
It is not difficult to imagine what would happen if a pedestrian were hit if the vehicle was traveling at 80-100 km / h. velocity. The safe speed for pedestrians is up to 50 km / h. – Not in vain is this speed limit and it has been chosen in the cities. The municipality gave pedestrians a priority to cross a busy street in Vilnius, but only a formal priority, which, if not practiced, will almost certainly mean the death of a pedestrian. At the same time, they have formally installed road signs that lower the speed limit, which most drivers simply don’t follow, ”says Simonas.
The speed limit on Geležinio Vilko street is 80 km / h, and the actual speed is 90-100 km / h.
It also points out that according to the aforementioned rules, a pedestrian crossing cannot be installed on high-category streets (A or B), and Geležinio Vilko str. and it is a high-class street where uninterrupted traffic is organized.
Vilnius says there are ways to make this crosswalk safe. In his opinion, whether the speed limit should be reduced from 80 km / h on the entire Geležinio Vilko street. up to 50 km / h, which is probably unlikely. Or to destroy an unsafe crosswalk and organize movement in this place: to install a traffic light, an underpass or an overpass for pedestrians.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Pedestrian crossing
“Unfortunately, the municipality did not choose other options. According to the latest information, it is not desired to destroy it, because a new street is being designed next to it: Šiaurinė street, which once (perhaps after 10-20 years) will have the aforementioned pedestrian crossing finally closed. Then there is enough time for someone to be injured or killed. The number of future victims is unknown, “Simon said.
There were thoughts of destroying the crossing
He himself claims to have lived on the other side of town, but there are also unsafe crosswalks. Maybe it’s just those less intense streets, so they get less attention.
As a result of this transition, in 2015. At the end of 2006, the Traffic Safety Commission of the Vilnius City Municipal Administration considered destroying it. The minutes of that meeting read: “Geležinio Vilko str. at J.Kazlausko st. Existing unregulated crosswalk. Geležinio Vilko Street is the A2 High Speedway, where, according to the Technical Construction Regulation, only pedestrian crossings of different levels can be organized.
According to the measurements of the flows of the crossing, it was found that it is used by 12 pedestrians per hour in the morning, 16 people / hour during the day and 24 people / hour in the afternoon. Used by garden residents, postmen.
According to the measurements of the flows of the crossing, it was found that it is used by 12 pedestrians per hour in the morning, 16 people / hour during the day and 24 people / hour in the afternoon. Used by garden residents, postmen.
According to accident statistics, a “black spot” has been identified at this crossing, 6 people have been injured and one has died. Proposals to eliminate the unregulated crossing by leaving the passage, completely blocking and prohibiting the passage of pedestrians (directing pedestrians through the Oz Viaduct) or installing a traffic light for pedestrians. Due to the low pedestrian traffic and the high intensity of the vehicles, the majority of the members of the commission did not support the installation of a traffic light on a high-speed street. “
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Pedestrian crossing
No more change plans
Last year, a government representative in Vilnius and Alytus counties was contacted about this transition, the latter sent a letter to the Lithuanian police, but the responses were similar: no help was received. Only police officers claim that mobile speedometers, called tripods, are often installed at this location, curbing drivers’ desire to step on the speed pedal.
The Vilnius Municipality currently states that it has no plans to make changes to this Geležinio Vilko street. And by necessity I do not see.
After the changes and signs made, there were no traffic accidents at the crossing during 2017-2020.
According to Rimantas Baravykas, advisor to the Municipal Traffic Organization Department, there have been no traffic accidents in this cross country for many years.
“It just came to our knowledge then. The crossing is equipped in accordance with all requirements, it is not used intensively, but it is an important connecting link. After the changes and markings made, no traffic accidents were recorded on the crossing during 2017-2020 ”, states R. Baravykas in a comment sent in 15 minutes.
He also emphasized that “specialists from the Vilnius city municipality are constantly monitoring and improving the road safety situation”: “Earlier this year, a new road safety program for 2021-2030 was approved with an ambitious goal of” 0 “deaths in 2030.”
[ad_2]
