Tetovo activates four audible traffic lights for blind and visually impaired people
Four intersections in Tetovo received audible traffic lights on International White Cane Day; association urges installation on all city signals.
On the occasion of International White Cane Day, the city of Tetovo put four traffic lights equipped with audible signals into operation to improve safety for blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
The new devices are installed at four intersections and are intended to help people with visual impairments cross streets more safely. City officials said the initiative responds to long-standing requests from local disability groups.
Background and previous installations
Tetovo had similar audible traffic lights in the past, but many fell out of use due to lack of maintenance. Some were also removed during the construction of roundabouts at several junctions.
“One of our demands was that at intersections where traffic is controlled by traffic lights, they should be equipped with audible signaling. Now our demand has been realized and to a large extent crossing at intersections for blind and visually impaired people will be facilitated. For now such traffic lights are at four intersections, but our advocacy is that audible signaling be installed at all traffic lights in the city,” says Hamdi Džamaili, president of the Association of Blind and Visually Impaired Persons from Tetovo.
Representatives of the association stated they will continue to press for regular maintenance of the devices and for expansion of the system so audible signals cover more parts of the city.
Photo: SDK.MK)
