Los Angeles transportation officials said Thursday they would modify the traffic signals at the corner of Venice and Robertson boulevards after a teenager with autism was killed in the crosswalk there earlier this week.
David Lindley, 16, was walking to school on Tuesday morning when he was hit by two cars.
The day after his death, his parents retraced his steps. They said they discovered that the traffic signal at the intersection is out of sync, because it allows pedestrians to cross the street while also letting opposing traffic drive through the crosswalk.
They want the signal to be changed before anyone else gets hurt.
L.A. Department of Transportation officials insist there is nothing wrong with the design of the traffic control system at the intersection, but in a statement issued Thursday they promised to make some changes immediately to protect pedestrians.
Here is a portion of their news release:
“As part of the Exposition Light Rail improvements in the area, when construction is completed on this roadway, the traffic signal operation is scheduled to be modified to accommodate the increased numbers of pedestrians. The traffic signal timing is scheduled to change and will then hold back traffic from entering the intersection from Exposition Blvd. until the pedestrian signal has finished counting down for people crossing Venice Blvd. Additionally, drivers turning left from Exposition Blvd. to Venice Blvd. will have a green arrow to turn and no pedestrians are allowed to cross.
Following any fatality, LADOT staff routinely reviews the operation of city streets for potential safety improvements. Based on our review, LADOT will expedite the changes to the traffic signal operation at this location and make the future design modifications now. The traffic signal will now hold back traffic from entering the intersection from Exposition Blvd. until the pedestrian signal has finished counting down for people crossing Venice Blvd. While this change would not have prevented Tuesday’s unfortunate loss of life, LADOT is taking this opportunity to improve safety at this location.”
