Length of Yellow Traffic Light Standards

Should We Have Standards For Short Yellow Lights?

City, State & Federal legislation regulating traffic light yellow light times is mostly non-existent. However, studies have shown that an increase of 0.5 to 1.5 seconds in yellow-light duration will decrease the frequency of red-light running by at least 50 percent. Three seconds should be the absolute minimum time for any intersection. Here are the standards recommended.  See the details at Standard Yellow Lights from the National Motorist Association Foundation

25 MPH -- 3.0 Seconds

30 MPH -- 3.5 Seconds

35 MPH -- 4.0 Seconds

40 MPH -- 4.5 Seconds

45 MPH -- 5.0 Seconds

50 MPH -- 5.5 Seconds

55 MPH -- 6.0 Seconds

Albuquerque, New Meixco Red Light Cameras Turned Off

Albuquerque, New Mexico wants to keep the cameras operating but needs a new company to run the cameras.  The cameras will go dark at midnight temporarily and will not site motorists for speed violations during this period.  The city is looking for a new red light camera operator as it recently let the contract with Redflex expire. The cameras were operating on a $30,000 per month deficit. It's not surprising the camera contracts needed to be restructured.  Here is a photo above protesting the use of Redflex as a management company and encouraging the hiring of more policemen.  Seems like a worthy proposal in our recession. The city also said it wants to now operate the cameras with full public disclosure.  Why start now?

Also, here is a study that shows how the Albuquerque cameras actually Increased Accidents. 

See this new video below covering the story from KRQE News 13 and some words from the Mayor.