As of yesterday (Saturday) drivers eastbound on the old road to Sabana can no longer turn left at the Universal/McDonalds.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) made the change to avoid increased traffic incidents with left turning drivers.
However, despite the signs drivers continue with the tradition of making a left, a habit hard to break. Eastbound traffic is now required to move straight, past the McDonalds and a left at the CNL/Yamuni to get onto Avendia 10.
The intersection was accident waiting to happen, and many accidents did happen. Drivers, in making a left turn, had to first cross the train tracks – many would actually stop on the tracks waiting for the lights ahead – and then figure out if the Ruta 27 eastbound traffic was coming to a stop. Then there was the question of who had the right-of-way at the lights, straight ahead traffic or traffic onto Avenida 10.
For the time being, traffic officials are cautioning instead of ticketing, taking the opportunity to educate drivers on the change.
