MOLINE, Ill. — The Moline Police Department says the intersection at John Deere Road and 41st Street will soon have a major traffic light change.
Starting on March 11, northbound and southbound drivers on 41st Street turning right onto John Deere Road will no longer be able to make right-hand turns on red.
According to the Moline Police Department, since 2018 they've seen a 140% increase in traffic crashes at this intersection. In the last two years, police have responded to 153 crashes at the intersection, of which 60% occurred on 41st Street's northbound and southbound right turn lanes to get onto John Deere Road.
Moline police say they requested a review of traffic patterns to see if improvements could be made after they saw a rise in traffic crashes at the intersection.
In Dec. 2023, Moline police, Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the City of Moline Traffic Engineering Department met to review traffic data from the intersection. The review showed that much of the accidents were rear-end crashes occurring in the turn lanes, with trailing cars looking left to check for approaching traffic and subsequently rear-ending lead cars.
IDOT reviewed recommendations from the city of Moline and decided to place signage prohibiting any right turns on red in this intersection. Police say the city's traffic engineering department has added enhanced traffic detection systems and prepared the lights to be responsive to traffic congestion in the right lanes.
After a two-week advisory period, the city of Moline will officially prohibit right turns effective March 11. Both IDOT and the City of Moline hope this change to the traffic pattern will reduce traffic crashes and enhance safety at this intersection.
A public education campaign will begin on Monday, Feb. 26, to highlight the new changes being made with LED message boards, media advisories and social media alerts from city platforms.
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