Study: Longer Yellow Lights Reduce Accidents

[Taco John]

Longer Yellow Lights Reduce Accidents

By David M. Bresnahan
June 22, 2005

Longer Yellow Lights, Not Red-light Cameras Reduce Accidents Says Research Report

Longer yellow lights will do more to reduce crashes at intersections than any other method, including the use of red-light cameras, according to a new report.

The report from the Texas Transportation Institute is the result of a three year study of 181 intersections using police reports in three Texas cities. The purpose of the research was to determine the most effective solutions for problem intersections.

The research revealed that many yellow lights are shorting than the recommended minimum, causing a jump of 110 percent in the number of red-light violations. The finding gave support to motorists who are caught by red-light cameras. They frequently complain that a short yellow light forced them to chose between slamming on the brakes and getting rear-ended and continuing through the intersection.

The report concluded that the best way to improve safety statistics at intersections is to lengthen yellow lights to one second more than the minimum standard, which will reduce accidents by 40 percent and violations by 53 percent.



http://www.americanchronicle.com/art...?articleID=766

[Atlas]

Yes, of course. The police aren't interested in intersection safety. They are interested in writing tickets for running red lights. That is why there is such a short yellow on some signals. That is where they sit and watch and wait.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Taco John

Longer Yellow Lights Reduce Accidents

By David M. Bresnahan
June 22, 2005

Longer Yellow Lights, Not Red-light Cameras Reduce Accidents Says Research Report

Longer yellow lights will do more to reduce crashes at intersections than any other method, including the use of red-light cameras, according to a new report.

The report from the Texas Transportation Institute is the result of a three year study of 181 intersections using police reports in three Texas cities. The purpose of the research was to determine the most effective solutions for problem intersections.

The research revealed that many yellow lights are shorting than the recommended minimum, causing a jump of 110 percent in the number of red-light violations. The finding gave support to motorists who are caught by red-light cameras. They frequently complain that a short yellow light forced them to chose between slamming on the brakes and getting rear-ended and continuing through the intersection.

The report concluded that the best way to improve safety statistics at intersections is to lengthen yellow lights to one second more than the minimum standard, which will reduce accidents by 40 percent and violations by 53 percent.



http://www.americanchronicle.com/art...?articleID=766

This is absolutely 100% true. i got a photo ticket while at work and its not easy stopping a big truck in the rain on the dime.

[Circle Orange]

Wow! That's even better than my idea...I thought we should eliminate yellow lights altogether!

Traffic would move quicker, less congestion.

[Beantown Bronco]

I think a longer period of time between the red light going on one way, and the green light going on the perpendicular way would reduce more accidents than a longer yellow. With most of the intersections around here, literally the second one light turns red, the opposing light turns green.....very dangerous for those that try to go through the yellow, regardless of how long they make the yellow light last.

[-Slap-]

If it will reduce violations by 53%, you can forget about it happening. Traffic officials are not in the habit of eliminating revenue streams.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

If it will reduce violations by 53%, you can forget about it happening. Traffic officials are not in the habit of eliminating revenue streams.

I agree. It's always about the Jack.