The fatal crash at Tai Chung Kiu Road last week has sparked debate on whether the collision was due to signal confusion. The intersection is controlled by split-phase traffic signals – a green-arrowed light signalling cars to turn even during a red light. A similar accident occurred in 2010 at the same junction, prompting a special meeting by the Sha Tin District Council. One suggestion was cancelling the split-phase signal. Between January 2014 and September 2019, there were three other traffic incidents involving deaths along Tai Chung Kiu Road, prompting several members of the Legislative Council to express concerns over the split-phase signal’s design. The Transport and Housing Bureau responded that the signal was effective in managing traffic flow and alleviating congestion. It maintained that the prior accidents concerned were mainly caused by driver contributory factors. However, two days after this recent crash, a vehicle was seen on video at the same intersection accelerating forward during a red light after the split-phase signal turned green. Fortunately, this vehicle avoided collision. With 1.5 million passenger trips daily on green minibuses alone in Hong Kong, there is no room for nuance on crowded roads. The split-phase signal affects instinctive driver cues. In a moment of inattention, a driver might assume that vehicles turning left means a green light, thus advancing when other vehicles to their left accelerate. Some countries consider fatal recurrences as systemic rather than a driver problem. The Swedish parliament adopted the Vision Zero project in 1997 based on an underlying ethical principle that “it is not acceptable for human mistakes to have fatal consequences”. It aims for a system that will account for human error and prevent fatalities by sharing responsibility between transportation system designers and road users. Investigations are conducted in vulnerable locations to determine effective prevention strategies to avert future casualties. Sweden made significant progress in reducing traffic deaths – from 541 in 1997 to 221 in 2019. Other countries such as Canada and the UK are implementing similar projects. The World Health Organization considers road safety a public health issue. In 2017, it suggested road modifications to calm traffic. It found that one of the most effective options in reducing death and injury was roundabouts , since it reduced approach speeds and the angle of potential impact. Answers needed after latest deadly Hong Kong crash Maybe all that is needed is an improvement of the split-phase signal. For instance, traffic light designs by Evgeny Arinin attempt to communicate information more plainly to drivers by having the signal shaped like an intersection. As with Tai Chung Kiu Road, without a proper redesign, it may only be a matter of time before another fatal accident occurs. Reducing traffic congestion is not worth risking loss of life. One fatality is already too much. Franklin Koo, solicitor, Admiralty