Red Light Camera News Only 2 seconds to beat a yellow light? What the heck?
(Ban the Cams note: Don't think this is a "mistake" by anymeans! Here is one out of TX: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/28/2827.asp
Quote: "The shortened yellow helped boost violations, allowing American Traffic Solutions (ATS) to issue $222,587 worth of tickets in the month of April alone. Of this amount, ATS took a 55 percent cut, even though Texas law specifically bans per-ticket contract arrangements. Baytown cited a grandfather loophole clause in the law as the reason it has continued the practice.")
http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12976216
Only 2 seconds to beat a yellow light? What the heck?
Posted: Aug 13, 2010 2:04 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 13, 2010 5:50 PM EDT
Now you see it, now you don't: the 2-second yellow left turn arrow at Kolb & Speedway
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Two seconds to beat a yellow light? You're kidding, right?
That's what KGUN9 News was wondering. The question arose after City of Tucson crews began tinkering with the lights at Kolb & Speedway, as part of the process of installing a new set of ever-popular speed and red light cameras. When the crews left, the timing of the lights had changed.
In particular, when the left turn arrow now switches from green to yellow, it stays yellow for only about two seconds before turning red. For a typical motorist, if you're entering the intersection at normal traffic speed just as the arrow turns yellow, you might not have time to clear the intersection before it turns red and the camera snaps a picture of your smiling face. Even if you make it through, any cars behind you would definitely be hosed.
No fair! What is up with that?
KGUN9 News' Allen Kath put that question the city. The response from spokeswoman Linda Galindo: don't worry about it just yet. Galindo said the traffic unit is "aware of the issues with the yellow light @ Speedway/Kolb. They are calibrating & it will be resolved before the 30-day grace period is up."
Galindo is referring to a 30 day notice period during which the traffic cameras are operational, but toothless - the city is not issuing citations. That grace period ends for this particular camera on September 17.
Bottom line: don't panic yet. KGUN9 News will keep on top of it for you. In fact, the newsroom can't help but notice the situation with this particular light, which sits astride the route many KGUN9 News employees take to get to work.
Subscribe to this comment's feedwritten by Tara Carreon , July 28, 2011
We absolutely cannot stand for this! I was out in the intersection behind one other car, on a left turn light, and the light turned red before I could even move, and there was only one car in front of me! Sure enough, I got the ticket today. I have never run a red light in my life! They have shortened the yellow lights to almost nothing! This is totally unfair. I am furious! Disgusted! And the ticket is $350!! We have to fight these b*st*ards! They're gonna terrorize us, and we WON'T be able to even conmply! What was I supposed to do? Back up OUT of the intersecion? These people are CRAZY!
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