May 11, 2023
The Montreal suburb of Brossard has taken a groundbreaking step towards enhancing road safety and curbing speeding by introducing an innovative traffic light.
This experimental traffic light, known as the educational traffic-calming light or FRED, grants a green signal exclusively to drivers who adhere to the speed limit, serving as a deterrent to speedsters and encouraging them to reevaluate their driving habits.
The FRED light remains red until it detects an approaching vehicle, and only transitions to green if the vehicle maintains the prescribed speed limit. The trial period for the FRED light on Rue Stravinski, a two-lane street, spans 90 days, during which its effectiveness will be closely monitored.
The FRED light has been installed near a problematic school zone in Brossard, where fast-driving motorists are a significant concern. Mayor Doreen Assaad of Brossard revealed that since the installation of the FRED light, there has been a significant reduction in average vehicle speeds on Rue Stravinski, dropping from 40 km/h (25 mph) to 29 km/h (18 mph) within the past week.
The trial run, documented in a lively video featuring the FRED light outside a Quebec public school, will continue for the next 90 days, drawing inspiration from similar European implementations that have proven effective over the years.
The sources for this piece include an article in Jalopnik.
