Traffic laws were created to make the highways, roadways and the streets of American cities safe. Driving in the city requires focus as drivers are often required to make split second decisions. This is best highlighted when approaching an intersection that is showing a yellow light; as drivers should we proceed into the intersection or slow down for the red light. Studies have shown that a longer yellow light time can reduce the number of drivers from running a red light. On the contrary, a shortening yellow light time has been shown to increase accidents and traffic violations.
Instead of applying this knowledge to make intersections safer, numerous cities took an alternative approach and shortening the yellow light times and installed red light photo cameras. The short yellow light times increased the red light violations resulting in substantial profits for these cities.
The state of Missouri traffic ticket info had 105 red light camera intersections where the yellow light times had been reduced by a full second.
An examination of red light cameras in Dallas traffic ticket info highlighted 21 short yellow light times. In addition, 7 of the top ten red light camera locations had yellow light times under those recommended by TX DOT.
Union City California traffic ticket info was caught reducing yellow light times by 1.3 seconds under California state law. The reduced times created a profit of more than one million dollars; which was city was later forced to refund based on the violating state law.
Tennessee had more than one city using the short yellow times to gain profit. Nashville used a shorter yellow light time in areas where officers patrolled. Chattanooga reduced the yellow light by nearly a full second at intersection where cameras were installed. The reduced times were a violation of state and federal regulations.
I don’t think stop lights have gotten better recently. I know in New Orleans they have sped up the yellow color of the street lights here in order to give out more tickets and raise revenue.