This is absolute BS the length of the yellow light has absolutely nothing to do with red-light running crashes. Instead of lengthening the yellow light so that motorists are successful in getting through the intersection before the red without crash why don’t we reinforce the CORRECT way to drive through the intersection and what the CORRECT meaning of the yellow light is. The yellow light is not there to warn you that the light is about to turn red and that you need to hurry up if you want to beat the red. The yellow light has two meanings depending where you are in relationship to the intersection 1)If you have not entered the intersection do not enter the intersection and 2) If you are within the intersection you must clear the intersection. The problem of red-light crashes can only be inproved a fraction of what they could be if we lengthen the yellow light vs reinforcing what the yellow light means and how to properly react to it illuminating as you approach the intersection. Lengthening the yellow light only reinfoces the negative behaviors of beating the red and makes that behavior available to more drivers approaching the intersection. If a method exists that will decrease red-light crashes more than lengthening the yellow why does the NMA insist that lengthening the yellow is the only rational solution. The NMA is a grass roots organization that began life by trying to get increased speed limits. To this day speed limits are a major part of thier agenda if we lengthen the yellow lights it allows for drivers with unlawful approach speeds to be able to brake for the light without going through the red. Yellow lights are engineered to the speed limit and if traffic approaches at the speed limit and the yellow illuminates it lasts long enough so that traffic too close to stop can make it through before the red and consiquently the opposing green. If we lengthen the yellow then traffic can approach at faster speeds and not be panic stopping as the light is turning red. The rational solution I see is that drivers comply with speed limits and the yellow lights will be long enough for those drivers they apply to. Instead of lengthening the yellow I find it more appropriate for the red to illuminate stopping traffic and then the green be delayed by 3 seconds so that the green light drivers can check to make sure the intersection is clear and that opposing traffic has stopped moving. The NMA will never support such a rational approach because it doesn’t work to further thier increased speed limit agenda.

I also agree with Rick Gunther we need to ask questions about where the numbers came from and are these verifiable results of some study or just nade up figures as part of a propaganda effort. I would caution every reader to check any statistic that the NMA gives them and check the facts of every article on this site, I have found many factual errors. Additionally would lengthening the yellow light decrease red-light violation by 50%? The NMA says it will and that there is a study that proves it but the don’t give you a link to that study or tell you who authored it. how would increasing the time interval between red and green by 1 second effect red-light crashes if this study shows that adding 1 second to the yellow decreases red light violations by 50%. I would think that the rational approach and the one most benefitting safety would be adding 1 second between the red light and opposing green light. It may not decrease the number of red-light violations but it will most definitely decrease the number of red-light crashes.

I received a red light ticket from a CHP officer who claimed i ran the red light because his light was green when I enetered the intersection.

In checking and observiung the lights in this intersetion I noticed that the yellow light time varied from 3.5 seconds to 4.3 seconds depending upon the time of day.

In the mnorning hours between 6;00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. the signals changed at the rate of 3.0 seconds from yellow to Red. Thgen betweem 8:00 a.m. and Noon they were changing at thr rate of 4.0 secomds from yellow to Red and that the light on the opposing street changed from red to green before the yellow light changed to red.

The city of Santa Ana, California claims their lights are set at 4.3 seconds as required by State law. What do you recomend?

Additionally, talking to everyone this time, one topic I did not see the article mention was other dangerous driving behaviours. They try to give us the impression that if only we could eliminate speeding our roads would be safe, but there are so many other factors that play a far bigger role in contributing to crashes. For example, driving slow in the left land, weaving, turning into the incorrect lane, tailgating, not using directionals, etc.

HIGHWAY, You obviously did not read this article. My point directed to…
5) Roundabouts:
Roundabouts have demonstrated a 60 to 87 percent reduction in crashes.

Matta, that’s one of the beautiful things about roundabouts. Being slightly uncomfortable with the traffic flow keeps you paying attention to other cars, and reduces accidents. Additionally, if you miss your turn, you can just go around again with very little added travel time. The worst things that happen in them is when people don’t do this and stop or try to cut hard right to get out of them.

Just go around again, folks.

When it’s crowded, those who are already in one will either not let another driver in, or simply, their is no SAFE room to get in. So you have to sit and wait.

AND WHEN you’re in one & it’s crowded,… DO NOT get caught in the inside lane, you’ll NEVER get out!

This Roundabout system is just a little less dangerous that a “figure 8″ race. Then again, maybe the “figure 8″ might do more good than the Roundabouts?…
…naw, BAN THE DAMMMN things.

What ever is written here completely makes sense i drive 4hrs a day on highway and I agree with this report.

I am not very comfortable with roundabouts though, if you donot know the directions it is very confusing.