How to judge when to stop or increase speed during a yellow when driving in an intersection controlled by a red light camera

 

Hello,
Now that we have armed with information regarding a particular intersection with red light cameras. How can we judge when to stop and when to increase the speed during a yellow which suddenly shows when you are at a point where you know that you cannot stop but even if you are continuing you are not sure whether the camera will click or not. question I always get nervous sometimes when I'm driving at speed of 40.

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Osh
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Yellow Light

iusegps wrote:

I believe that the general rule is that for each 10 miles of the speed limit the yellow light stays lit for 1 second. If the speed limit is 30 MPH then the yellow should be lit for about 3 seconds. Don't quote me on this but I believe that is a general rule.

Every state has different amounts of time a yellow is lit, as well as different intersections are not the same in the same city.

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Alan-Garmin c340

What the Hell

It sounds like some peoples time is so damn valuable that a minute or two stuck at a red light might be life threatening. Hell, my time sure the hell isn't that valuable to be playing chicken or better put playing stupid with a red or yellow light. I'll just live my worthless time here on earth by believing in the strong possibility that right after that yellow light is going to be a red light.

B.O.H.I.C.A.

marking is incorrect

jgermann wrote:
Box Car wrote:

It's not a good idea as the marking then could be used for a suit.

And what would the basis of a suit be?

that's all that's needed

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Illiterate? Write for free help.

stop, always

"I treat a redlight-camera-armed intersection as a four-way stop."

No, I don't. But I also don't take a legal right turn on red, either.

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nüvi 750 & 760

formula

alanrobin1 wrote:
iusegps wrote:

I believe that the general rule is that for each 10 miles of the speed limit the yellow light stays lit for 1 second. If the speed limit is 30 MPH then the yellow should be lit for about 3 seconds. Don't quote me on this but I believe that is a general rule.

Every state has different amounts of time a yellow is lit, as well as different intersections are not the same in the same city.

actually there is a complex formula for determining the correct amount of time for the amber light. I believe that the MUTCD rules for the time will take over in 2013. Should be interesting.

Yellow Light -

The yellow light - I thought - means: (1) if you're in the intersection, get out or (2) if your not in the intersection, don't enter. I know it sounds strange to some people but a good rule of thumb.

The only thing you have to remember is if you're going to cause/be in an accident by stopping to quickly - don't.

What yellow trafic light means

Many years ago I received a citation for going through a yellow light. The officer informed me that yellow means the same as red, I believed him and never got another ticket. Enough said!!!!!
de Cliff n8dii

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I may have my user name and password confused or switched! Can I get confimation of my user name????

One sites recommendations

Recommended Yellow Light Times
http://www.shortyellowlights.com/standards/

Three seconds should be the absolute minimum time for any intersection.

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

Based on the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) formula for calculating yellow light times

Just in case...

If by chance you use any of the above recommendations regarding the proper length of a yellow light, and you end up getting a red light ticket anyway, be sure to quote your source to the judge. Government recommendation or just an old wives tale. I am sure it will take you far.

forget the camera shutter

Forget the ticket, be more concerned about the T-Bone.

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Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

that's making quite a few assumtions

jgermann wrote:

Recommended Yellow Light Times
http://www.shortyellowlights.com/standards/

Three seconds should be the absolute minimum time for any intersection.

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

Based on the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) formula for calculating yellow light times

The figures given are making quite a few assumptions. As an example, was the speed measured? What's the slope or gradient of the road? And of course, the big question is what are the local laws and regulations?

Measured speed and posted speed are two completely different sets of variables. The jurisdiction may have a regulation stating the speed limit on a particular street is X but most motorists travel at Y. If the traffic engineer follows the formula and sets yellow timing to match a higher speed, then they are incorrect according to the law. If they set the timing to match the law, then they are wrong by the average speed. In this case, the engineer is better off following the law and not the average speed. That means the underlying law needs to be changed.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

timer vs time

jgermann wrote:
abin wrote:

this involves many factors and complex calculations. stop distances are different from dump truck to small sedan. wet pavement vs. dry pavement....

Would you apply the same objections to count down timers?

I called them "objections" because of the context in which you are presenting them. They are all valid points and apply to the situation where nothing at all is done - a situation in which each driver must take a guess at what the duration of the yellow light will be (and if from out of town, guesses as to whether this place has an "all red") and then decide waht to do.

Your points are true but don't they apply to every situation.

Twix suggested, and I supported, a way to give the driver more data from which to make a better informed decision.

Yes, I think the count down timer is more well known measurement, but do not know if that is helpful in case like this.
So, with count down timer, I can see I have so many seconds to cross the road before I am told "not to". I have choice to run, to walk, or to crawl... and I need to make my decision based on what timer tells me. This is different from drawing a line to tell you stop at amber.

markings

I don't see how marking the pavement as a guideline is worse than countdown timers. In fact, it sounds like countdown timers can be more dangerous. Instead of focusing on driving, drivers are racing the clock.

http://www.suntimes.com/4225995-417/countdown-timers-for-red...

Determining where a pavement mark should go, would be individual to each intersection. It would take into consideration the speed, the duration of the yellow light, and all the other factors that would determine a safe stopping distance. It would not distract drivers away from driving the way a countdown timer would.

Why would anyone file a suit for a guideline? I have streets in my community where the speed limit is 50 mph, but there are signs suggesting that I take certain turns at 45 mph. If I went the suggested speed, and slid off the road anyway, does that mean I could file suit? I don't understand the logic.

Fun in Moline IL

The left turn arrows are seldom green long enough for all cars to make the turn. Many times I have entered the intersection on the yellow arrow. Then I look in the mirror and see three and sometimes four cars behind me running the red. That seems to be a tradition on John Deere Road. When my light turns green, I check for stragglers before accelerating. A long time ago, I was rear-ended on that road when I braked for a yellow light.

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1490LMT 1450LMT 295w

not unique

spokybob wrote:

The left turn arrows are seldom green long enough for all cars to make the turn. Many times I have entered the intersection on the yellow arrow. Then I look in the mirror and see three and sometimes four cars behind me running the red. That seems to be a tradition on John Deere Road. When my light turns green, I check for stragglers before accelerating. A long time ago, I was rear-ended on that road when I braked for a yellow light.

that not unique to moline, davenport is the same or at least was the same, Utah is just as bad in some areas. where the left turn arrow is long enough for 3 cars if you can get through when the light changes and the last car pushes the yellow.

There should be no

There should be no comparison between count down timer and pavement mark.
The timer tells us how much time left. the judgement is by individual with all kind of considerations. I do not know if there will be count down timer for motorists, but, I have been seeing it for pedestrians in our area.
The pavement mark or things like that, is measured by distance. I agree, if in place, will be easy for motorists to decide go or no go. However, as others questioned, how useful/effective that will be...

If you stop when light is

If you stop when light is yellow, the camera will not go off. The camera will go off when any part of motor vehicle is in contact with the magnetic strip in roadway at the white line when the light turns red. Government is interested in making $$$ over safety. I feel that if they are on the safety side, they should post a sign stating Red light camera. Some areas have this sign, most do not.

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Ron Poserina. www.poserina.com

Yes there is a Hard & Fast Rule

rkaufmann87 wrote:

Every situation is going to be different so there is no hard fast rule. Experience and skill determine what to do in any yellow light situation. However as a safe rule, if you are unsure always brake for a yellow.

If the light is yellow, slow down and stop if you are able to do so safely. If you are not able to do so safely, continue through the intersection and you won't go through a red light. You won't need to speed up to do it.

If you are not able to judge what to do, and I am not being mean, you should not be driving. The law says you have to be have your car under control at all times.

Yellow Light

iusegps wrote:

I believe that the general rule is that for each 10 miles of the speed limit the yellow light stays lit for 1 second. If the speed limit is 30 MPH then the yellow should be lit for about 3 seconds. Don't quote me on this but I believe that is a general rule.

This is basically the rule I go by and when its bad weather add more time.

Might add that

Might add that the minimum should be 3 seconds.

Why is this thread alive?

jgermann wrote:

Might add that the minimum should be 3 seconds.

It was not a great thread when new and now it has mold on it.

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"Ceterum autem censeo, Carthaginem esse delendam" “When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
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