First look at new traffic lights in Dublin to save cyclists from drivers | Video

The new traffic lights being installed across Dublin are aimed at stopping crashes when drivers turning left or right at junctions hit cyclists who are continuing straight. While drivers are already legally obliged to give way to cyclists, the new flashing amber arrows are intended to remind drivers to check for cyclists. The new lights also effectively underline drivers' legal obligation to check and give way if needed

These new traffic lights are being introduced in Dublin to save cyclists from being hit by drivers turning left or right at junctions.

A new flashing amber arrow means drivers who are intending to turn left must first check there are no cyclists on their inside or approaching from behind.

If there are cyclists coming, the drivers must pause and let the cyclists past in case they going straight through the junction. The new system aims to avoid drivers turning right or left at junctions and hitting cyclists who are going straight; commonly referred to as a left or right "hook".

While the new lights obviously will not guarantee drivers won't hit cyclists, they are a welcome piece of additional infrastructure to remind drivers to check for cyclists.

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And the presence of the new lights set-up also makes it very clear that drivers are obliged to check for cyclists before waiting until anyone on a bike has cleared the junction. While drivers are obliged to give way, the new lights make this abundantly clear.

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The new flashing amber arrows have already been added to the lights at the junction of Conyngham Road and Infirmary Road outside the Courts of Criminal Justice in the north inner city - the junction featured in the video below.

They have also been installed at Balbutcher Lane in Ballymun, north Dublin, and a more extensive roll-out to other locations is planned.

The new flashing amber arrow means if drivers are turning left they must first check for cyclists who may be coming up their inside to continue straight through the junction