XN000022-1973-07-27 — Page 2

Friday, July 27, 1973

NEW TRAFFIC SYSTEM TO COMBAT CONGESTION

A new road system will be introduced by the government in a determined

effort to try to sort out serious traffic congestion at a number of major

intersections.

The system, known as box junctions, will be gradually introduced by

the Transport Department following approval by the Governor in Council of

certain amendments to the Road Traffic (Roads and Signs) Regulations.

These box junctions will be clearly identifiable by broad yellow

criss-cross lines painted on the carriageway and warning traffic signs at

the approaches.

In future it will be an offence for a motorist, without reasonable

excuse, to drive his vehicle into the box junction unless there is a clear

passageway for him to drive right through.

"This means

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a government spokesman said today, "that even if the

traffic lights are green, a motorist will be liable to prosecution if he

drives into the box area and finds himself stranded in the middle of the

junction when the lights change, because of a queue of vehicles in front of

him."

Explaining further, he said a motorist should not enter the box

junction when the lights are green unless he is positive he can clear the

junction before the lights change.

The aim of the new system is to prevent light-controlled and other

road junctions becoming completely blocked with vehicles unable to move in any

direction.

Two other