Fully-Protected Left Turns

In Surrey, 80% of crashes where someone is killed or seriously injured happen at intersections. That’s why we’re investing in “Fully-Protected” left turn signals. These phases provide a separate set of signal indications for left-turning drivers. This separates the movement of pedestrians and oncoming traffic from the movement of left-turning vehicles.

We are installing fully protected left turn signals at select high crash intersections around the city as part of our Vision Zero Surrey Safe Mobility Plan.

Left turns tend to be the highest-risk maneuver at intersections. Drivers making left turns face potential conflicts with various road users including other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Vision Zero Surrey prioritizes safety improvements at locations where collision data shows they are needed most. Fully-Protected Left Turn signals are one such safety improvement.

Fully Protected vs. Protected Permissive Left Turn Signals

Not to be confused with “Protected-Permissive” Left Turn signals, “Fully-Protected” left turn signals decrease conflicts between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and almost completely eliminate left turning crashes. They help make left turns safer at intersections where there are high volumes of left turns and where the road conditions make left turns more challenging.

Fully-Protected Left Turns help keep all road users safe. They ensure vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are separated in time within the intersection, reducing the possibility of crashes, serious injuries and fatalities.