Newtown-Yardley Road Left Turn Sign Survey Results

A Newtown Township resident emailed me:

"Hi John, attached is a picture of the Bypass & Newtown-Yardley Road intersection. We need overhead signs by the traffic lights that show that both lanes turn to the left. This is the intersection where the new Wawa is proposed.

Many people are unaware that this intersection allows both lanes to turn left. So many times the driver in the left lane proceeds to drive immediately into the right lane after turning unaware that another car turned beside him.

I've avoided an accident many times anticipating this.

A sign depicting double turning lanes is necessary when I'm sitting at the light on Newtown-Yardley Road turning left towards Shady Brook Farm."

Survey Results

Wanting to know what other people thought of this idea, I posted a survey using Google forms on June 23, 2022. For visualization, I created the following concept image of what such a sign would look like: 

The survey asked respondents to select one of three choices:

1. Yes, this is definitely a good idea
2. No, this is not needed (people should just be more aware & keep in lane)
3. Yes, but I doubt it will help

Respondents could also submit optional comments.

As of July 9, 2022, there were144 responses to my survey with 57 comments. The chart below summarizes the results:

Obviously, the vast percentage (91%) of respondents think this is a good idea even though some respondents noted that there is signage further down the road approaching the intersection.

Comments

Below are selected comments from respondents.

Comments By “Yes, Definitely” Respondents

• Perhaps also adding a solid white line and reflectors along the road on the curved section to make it clear that you should not be crossing the lanes during that turn.
• I too had had quite a few close calls. This needs to be done ASAP.  Thank you for asking. 
• It couldn't hurt, I've had people cross into the right lane, totally unaware they did something that could cause an accident.
• A sign would help but better would be to make the dotted lines in the road clearer, maybe brighter or if possible in yellow instead of white. We have the same problem turning left/south from northbound 332 onto 532 (Buck Rd) and there IS a sign there but the road lanes are not painted.
• Anything as simple as this that can prevent a potential accident is definitely worth doing!
• Awesome  idea
• For everyone that votes No, they should have to provide an explanation of why a safety-based street sign is not needed.
• Great job adding the proposed "turning sign" to the picture.  This sign would especially help drivers who are not familiar with the intersection.  (...and, without this sign, add to the problems caused by the new Wawa traffic to be built at this intersection. ) Thank you very much for sending to Penndot. [PennDOT’s response.]
• Having been a Newtown resident for over 30 years, I've become more aware than ever of the changes that have occurred here in that time.  We've grown as a community but what we also have to expect that what was the norm 3 decades ago is no longer the norm this is one of them.  The resulting safety value far exceeds the monetary value.
• hopefully it will help. Also lights crossing sycamore need re-timed.  Going to work in early morning no one is on sycamore and we wait forever for a green light that is about 3 seconds long.  Barely 1 car goes and yellow already.  Hardly ever see a car on sycamore at 6:45 am so why is light so long and ours is so short.  I am always at light near 7-eleven.  Thank you.
• Hopefully this will help, but I have also seem many people select either lane and then immediately try to push into the other lane after turning onto the Bypass. I too have been almost hit multiple times, but unfortunately we are not going to improve the drivers' skills.
• Hopefully, this will help motorist stay in the proper lane.  I have seen what is described many times.  
• I agree 100% and have avoided accidents many times myself. Painting lane guides on the road would help also. The same thing happens making a left on the bypass when coming off 295N
• I have wanted to propose this forever.  Also, the signs for the double left-turn lanes at the Newtown Bypass and Swamp Rd. (@ Tyler Park entrance), are too far back from the intersection, so drivers aren't paying attention as they make their turn. The exact same problem exists there. Here's where I'm talking about: Google Map
• I think we also need “right turn on red” at the bypass and newtown gate drive.    Also, when you are making a left on to newtown gate drive from the bypass, there should be a yielding green arrow to make the left.  I live in newtown gate.   If I am the only car making a left I have sat at that light for over 4 minutes with no cars coming down the bypass.   At night it is even worse.   There is usually clear vision to see the oncoming traffic. 
• I’ve also had people “illegally” cross into my right side turning lane and couldn’t figure out why they were so dumb or how they didn’t see me or other cars also turning ahead of or alongside them. But an overhead sign could help! I think it’s illegal to leave your lane while in an intersection by the way, but that’s a bit obscure and only comes into play when a cop is watching. The person’s argument seems sound to me.
• If it’s already proving to be an issue, then it should probably be addressed before the Wawa adds to the chaos.
• In the left hand land most people are trying to avoid those concrete block in the road that are too forward and are in an average cars  turning radius. They should be cut back 5-10 feet.  This is true for all of the left hand turning lanes on the bypass. They are all crap.  While we are at it the left hand turning lane from Lindinenhuirst to Twining rd needs  to be repainted, the marking moved back, and the intersection needs to be re jigged. Do we pay PENDOT in magic beans? Is this why they are so bad at their job?
• It's a simple and cost effective change to make. Can something be done about the intersection at Stoopville and 413? It's dangerous there... we need a light and turning lanes.
• Just the other day I was cut off by a small truck that apparently didn’t see me as he swung from the left lane into mine as we made that turn. Maybe a sign would help. Also bright white lane markings with arrows. 
• Only once have I encountered said problem there. But what about clear marked lines on the road? As effective and cheaper
• People in the left lane do sometimes cut in front of me, and it is really annoying and dangerous. I don't know if a sign will help, as there are arrows on the ground. But I wouldn't feel the need to give them the benefit of the doubt, and would feel free to honk at them if there was a sign. 
• This intersection needs to be addressed, as signage will help, a traffic light per lane (green arrows too) may be required. Has Penndot written guidelines on this situation? 
• This is a fantastic idea!  I agree that too many people are unaware that both lanes can turn left, and I have almost been hit many times by the car in the far left lane turning into the right lane.  Please get this signage put up as soon as possible! Thank you.
• Would love to know what a simple change like this cost though!
• I would only show the Left and straight arrows. Showing the right arrow will cause idiots heads to spin.

Comments By “Yes, But” Respondents

• I'm afraid some people will obliviously switch lanes mid turn anyway.  Might help a little.
• It’s pretty clear based on the road markings… but people who make the mistakes are on their phones approaching that intersection and not looking for signs 
• More important would be to restripe the left turning lanes with a "Stay in Your Lane" sign either overhead or printed on the roadway or both. It seems to be more a problem of poor driving habits than confusion. Staying in lane is taught to every new driver. 
• Perhaps also adding a solid white line and reflectors along the road on the curved section to make it clear that you should not be crossing the lanes during that turn.
• There is a sign there. People need to learn how to drive.
• Perhaps people could be ticketed for not staying on lane.....it would also be nice if there was some sort of speed enforcement somewhere sometime in Bucks County. As it is people are free to set whatever speed limit that want. I think it is ironic that there are signs that use radar to measure speed but the police can not.

Comments By “No” Respondents

• It is signed overhead in advance of the stop bar and has the required pavement markings. The sign as proposed does NOT go on the signal mast arm. Inattentive drivers are the problem. 
• People can see cars in front with turn signals on...if they use them :)
• Proposed sign makes it more confusing 
• Road is painted and must be always maintained 
• The road makings are clear. People do this at every double left turn off which there are many in this area whether or not there is an overhead sign. They are just not paying attention to driving. I've had this happen at every double left turn except this one. 
• There are way too many traffic signs in Newtown which becomes very distracting to the driver. I would say upwards of 50-60% of them are useless.  Let's save some taxpayer money and think twice about adding more signs.
• We have a sign there.  There are just bad drivers.  No sign will fix that. 

What Do You Think?

The survey is still open. 

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP APPROVED SURVEY. IT IS SOLELY A SURVEY POSTED BY JOHN MACK ACTING AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS - YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS NEVER REVEALED WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.