SILVERDALE – The flashing yellow left turn light has been a success and is well-received at many locations in Kitsap County. But the unique nature of the double left-turn lane at the Randall Way and Kitsap Mall Boulevard intersection has created safety concerns according to Jeff Shea, Traffic Engineer for Kitsap County.

“The flashing yellow left-turn arrow has been a very popular addition to our signal system. Motorists enjoy the ability to make left turns when there is no opposing traffic,” Shea said. “The permissive left turns reduce driver frustration and decrease the need to speed through the intersection when the guarded left turn light turns yellow,” according to Shea.

“The permissive left turn signal helps improve signal timing and reduces overall wait times at signals because it reduces the number of cars in queues waiting to make the left turn,” Shea said.

The popular signal change was installed in 2010. The intersection has seen too many collisions including a fatality.

“We watch our collision data, rely on sheriff’s deputy’s’ observations, and respond to motorist’s complaints to find trouble spots that need attention, and we feel this location needs attention,” said Shea. “We attempted to solve the problem with a sign near the signal head alerting motorists that they must yield to oncoming traffic. Unfortunately this did not reduce the collisions.”

After modifying the intersection with the flashing yellow arrow, the number of collisions dropped from a high of nine in 2011 to four in 2013. In 2014 there were eight collisions.

“The fact that it is two lanes makes it different from other installations of this type of signal, and based on the collision data we’ve decided to eliminate the permissive left-turn signal,” said Shea.

The signal will return to the protected left-turn green arrow in late February. The only allowable left turn will be with the green arrow.