The Seahawk

Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: News

The traffic light system in Wilmington has recently changed the way the lights operate during the night hours.

The traffic lights were once on flash mode from the hours of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., because there wasn't as much traffic on the roads during that time. Just recently has the city decided to switch the light system back to working on its regular light pattern at all hours of day and night.

In a recent interview Don Bennett, the city traffic-engineering manager of Wilmington, explains that it's much safer this way. While having the flashing traffic lights at night, more cars were getting into accidents causing more chaos on the road than necessary.

As cars approach the traffic light, a censor is put on and, especially at night, cars don't have to wait as long.

"I have noticed that the lights stopped flickering awhile back," said Steve Bedenbaugh, a student at UNCW who is often driving on the roads at night. "I wasn't clear on why, but it didn't change the time that it took to get from one place to another, which is good."

He added that he likes how when approaching a red light it turns green within seconds. "You barely have to stop."

Bedenbaugh goes on to say that it is probably safer this way as well.

"I feel more comfortable driving during the night with the lights how they are now," he said. "Drivers now know when they can go and when they can't. I bet there aren't as many accidents as before."

Many counties outside of New Hanover are slowly changing to let their traffic lights to run in full operation at all times as well.

With this new method underway, the city hopes to see less accidents on the road during the night hours as well as more cautious drivers.

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