Dangerous Traffic Lights :: Shortening light times for profit

Dangerous Traffic Lights :: Shortening light times and installing red light cameras for profit.

The U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration guideline states that traffic signals should remain yellow no less than 3 seconds.

A complex formula accompanies this guideline, increasing the duration of the yellow light to allow for driver reaction (2.3 seconds average) and deceleration.

At 45mph, the minimum duration of a yellow light is 4.5 seconds.

The formula allows for a window of 4 to 5.5 seconds to allow drivers the opportunity to stop or clear the intersection before the light turns red.

This time is increased for larger intersections. It is also recommended that yellow light times be extended to allow for driver error.

For the sake of profit, cameras are installed and yellow light durations are being shortened, all to automate revenue collection.

The evidence shown was provided by ViolationInfo.com. The ticket was for $158.00. Watch the video and pay attention to how long the light is yellow, how many drivers drove through normally, and how many made "emergency" stops.

The light turned red in just under 3 seconds. Blow the federal guidelines. Any cars in the "window" where they should continue are caught "running" the red light.

6 cars "ran" the red light. Only the car turning right slowed. This light cycles every 3 minutes. This single incident cost the drivers $948.

As reported in "The Suncoast News" on December 19, 2009, opponents of the light camera cite an increase in rear-end accidents due to drivers making panic stops.

The city states none of them were due to the cameras.

Of course not. The drivers were surprised to see the red light change, and made panic stops.

"The St. Petersburg Times" reported on September 29, 2009, that the traffic cameras are not about safety, but are about revenue.

In the first year of operation, this camera made the city $264,000, and was directly responsible for giving all city employees a 2% pay increase.

I work for my money. Fundraising in this manner is not safe, nor acceptable.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• red light camera
• yellow light
• short lights

[alehax27]

The video starts with the light already in yellow. So from my point of view, I can't say for sure it was only 3 seconds. If the video showed the light go from green to red, and the yellow really only lasted about 3 seconds, then I would believe this video.

[JWSmythe]

@alehax27 That's the only video that they provided. I would assume it runs from the time the light turns red. It would provide clear evidence. As it was, the last I saw of the light, it was turning yellow just as I entered the intersection. The camera was obviously at a better vantage point than for me to see through the roof of my car.

[JWSmythe]

@alexhax27 ... generally, I stop for yellow lights. It may be annoying, but it usually guarantees that I don't accidentally run a red light, or stop "in the box". At most intersections with high hanging traffic lights, if I'm stopped at the line, the light is above my view, so I have to lean forward and look up.

[MrBFagel]

great video, but its from the rlc vendor.

[MrBFagel]

With all due respect, your are using a frame counter to measure elapsed time. The frame count should either be corrected to seconds or use a stop watch timer such as I do when I perform forensic examinations of these types of videos.

[r3mmaj]

yes, under 3sec. (yellow lite turn) wow!