Show Odd Traffic Signal On Rural Highway Prevents Mishaps NATURAL BRIDGE VA Situated ed on a stretch of highway in a strict strict- strictly ly rural area and far remote from any intersection a red traffic light amazes motorists speeding north over Highway Hig var 1 11 through Virginias Virginia's Shenandoah valley The light warns of the approach to the foot 90 span of the Natural Bridge of Virginia across a foot gorge Just Before crossing the nat nat- natural natural natural ural span the highway twists sharp sharp- sharply ly on a steep downgrade to present presenta a dangerous traffic menace The light was erected two years ago after a series of serious mis mis- misI I haps The result highway depart depart- department department department ment engineers contend has been highly satisfactory no no smashups at a point where there had been 28 in 10 years with 12 fatalities and injuries to 53 others If the motorist approaches the light at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour it flashes ashes red Moreover the light wont won't turn green until the driver slows down If the motorist doesn't slow he will have to stop at the red light but when he does stop the light flashes green The light is controlled by a com com- complicated complicated complicated sequence of electronics rigged with underground wires es to a detector arm imbedded in the high high- highway highway highway way feet from the light Elated over success of the rural blinker bunker the highway department is planning to install similar lights at other danger zones |