Riga drivers wait minutes at a traffic light in a lane where it never turns green

At the intersection of Valmieras and Ģertrūdes streets in Riga, a traffic light was built several months ago. Some drivers hoped it would make it easier to get onto Valmieras Street, but in the left lane they spend several minutes at the red signal and never get permission to enter the intersection. The situation was reported by the programme "Bez Tabu".

Why the signal does not change

It turns out that drivers are not permitted to enter the left lane at this spot at all. Road signs before the intersection warn of this, as does a sign mounted several metres high, colloquially known as a "brick". Drivers often fail to notice the signs, move into the lane and then stand for a long time at the red light.

After waiting, drivers react in different ways: some enter the intersection against the signal, others cross the double solid line and drive in the opposite direction, and others position themselves to turn right but make a prohibited left turn instead.

Drivers and the city respond

A man named Edgars, who sees waiting drivers every day, says he sometimes pulls up beside them and asks whether they noticed the sign. In his view, it is unclear why a traffic light was installed if the left turn is banned. Another driver admitted he did not notice the sign and relied on satellite navigation, which showed that driving there was allowed.

The left turn at the intersection is intended only for public transport, but it has not run along Ģertrūdes Street for more than two months. Ieva Grīsle, a Riga City Council representative, explains that changing traffic arrangements often is not right and that public transport traffic is planned for this location. It was therefore decided to make no changes. According to her, traffic planners believed three warning signs would be enough, and the issue may be more about changing habits than a lack of signs.