DRIVERS in a major US city have been urged to look out for brand new warnings on the roads.
The major change means that cars are being banned from using certain parts of the busy street, though officials hope it will improve road safety.
New red markings indicate where motorists are now banned from driving[/caption]
Officials hope it will support the flow of public transport[/caption]
The new road markings have been set up on Main Street in Kansas City, as part of the massive Main Street Extension traffic plan.
After cones lined the streets for years, work on the road is finally over – but drivers are struggling to adapt to the change.
Huge red lines now show which areas are off-limits to drivers and will be used by trains.
However, striped red lines mean that the area is a transition zone for drivers turning right.
Also, the number of vehicular lanes on the road has been reduced to just one – in either direction – which is a massive reduction from the previous six lanes.
However, motorists are still getting confused as to what the red zones mean which has prompted the city to hand out informative flyers.
The flyers display a clear message, reading: “See Red? Think Transit-Only.”
Underneath it says: “Respect the rail. Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Ready.”
The change is being implemented to turn Main Street into a high-transit artery.
This means trains will have a clearer path and it will be easier for operators to get their passengers to their destinations in time.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said that the move comes after trains were getting “stuck behind automobile traffic”.
Jonathan Duncan, a District Council member, added: “This is a broader effort to reclaim our streets, both for pedestrian safety and for mass transit, which is greener for the environment and easier on the pocketbook for our residents.”
The news comes after a new “super” driving law was passed in the state of Florida, which could see huge $1000 fines being handed out to drivers.
The worst offenders could even be slapped with 90 day jail sentences.
Drivers found to be breaking the speed limit by 50 mph or driving recklessly at 100mph will be punished by the law which came into effect on July 1.
There is a minimum fine of $500 in place, as well as 30 days in jail for a first offence.
Meanwhile, Operation Southern Slow Down was rolled out across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee from July 14 to 19.
A staggering 7000 speeding tickets were handed out during the operation , with one force – which covers counties like Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia – issuing 1,069 citations and making 12 DUI arrests.
The new rules are also hoped to make the city greener[/caption]
