Count Down Red Lights

I guess it does get worse as it goes on...

Isn't almost every traffic light in downtown Phoenix with count down for pedestrians?

I personally like those and I find them very handy even for drivers.

We've had them in the Kingston NY area for a few years now at intersections that have had high pedestrian fatalities. They only go on if someone has actually pressed the walk button.

These are called "Count Down PED's". They count down the ped clearance (Don't walk) time to aid the pedestrian. However, when the timer hits 0 this doesn’t necessarily mean that the light will change immediately.

Count Down lights for drivers are in use in many places in the world. I've seen them in Thailand for example: They display the seconds left of red, allowing drivers to get ready, restart the engine (rare case but it happens) and then of green, making it more friendly then a sudden yellow without warning. They are quite useful. I wish they would be used around here as well.

for street racers downtown after work, here in Houston...

I have seen the count down lights in a few cities (Las Vegas was the last) and I find them helpful in negotiating crosswalks. If they can be ssen by drivers, it gives you an idea of when the light will change and can be ready.