Red Light Camera News Longer yellow light aims to cut crashes
(Thanks to Bev's post on Florida Opponents of RLC for the link!)
http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2011/aug/02/LANEWSO1-longer-yellow-light-aims-to-cut-crashes/
Longer yellow light aims to cut crashes
By Bill Rogers | Highlands Today
Published: August 2, 2011
SEBRING - Drivers passing through the intersection of Sun 'n Lake Boulevard and U.S. 27 might not realize a change has been made to the traffic signal on the north side of Sebring.
It is taking a little longer — not much — to switch from yellow to red.
According to Highlands County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete, on average, the yellow time was increased by approximately 1.5 seconds for northbound and southbound traffic. For eastbound and westbound, the change is approximately 0.7 seconds. The change at Sun 'n Lake Boulevard was made July 19.
Gavarrete said the Florida Department of Transportation, which instructs counties to modify timing on its signals, is changing traffic lights as part of a statewide effort to accommodate young and elderly drivers.
"There is always good and bad," Gavarrete said. "It's safer but there are delays."
Gavarrete noted that five vehicles can go through that intersection in one second. Since U.S. 27 is a six-lane highway at Sun 'n Lake, 30 fewer vehicles are moving through.
How did it come about and why was that particular intersection chosen?
A St. Petersburg legislator is pushing for increasing the yellow time to help drivers be more careful at intersections.
According to the Tampa Tribune, Rep. Larry Ahern introduced a bill during this year's legislative session that didn't advance in the Senate.
Ahern is proposing a new formula for signal timing that increases the duration of the yellow light by basing it on the posted speed limit plus 10 percent.
His bill would also require local municipalities to post signs warning of traffic signals ahead on roads with speed limits of more than 55 mph.
Ahern said the idea originated as a result of complaints he received from constituents who had received tickets from a red-light camera after going through a yellow light that seemed too short.
Capt. Paul Blackman, who runs the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Uniform Patrol Division, thinks it is a good way to help newer and older drivers.
Blackman said there is some research that shows adding 1 or 2 seconds gives people a longer reaction time and reduces the number of crashes.
Blackman said if a change is made to traffic signals, he thinks it will be done with the red-light camera legislation.
Lake Placid Police Chief Phil Williams said he is "sort of indifferent" about the idea.
The chief said adding time to a traffic light will give drivers more of an opportunity to stop.
Williams added if he were a legislator, it would make his conscience feel better about trying to reduce crashes.
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