Rochester NY deals with a shorter yellow light at 1 intersection.

I guess by shortening the yellow light cycle, they can increase revenues from red light tickets.

I am unable to follow your link because the server is busy. What I would have done (and will do when I am able) is to determine if the word "shortened" was used.

I have been following this for a few days and I have not read the word "shortened" in any of the articles.

The mayor of Rochester issued a statement several days ago. His statement can be found at
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589956304

The chief of police of Rochester issued a statement yesterday and a link is http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/NewsBlog/archives/2013...

Why did you decide to use the word "shortened" as opposed to something like "the two interections had yellow lights shorter than other traffic light on that stretch of road"?

Here are some relevant parts of the article:

Shortened? Maybe not. Short? You bet.

It was short, agreed. That was the point I wanted to make.

Too often, those who are opposed to traffic camera enforcement choose the words they use in an attempt to make it seem that yellow lights are "shortened" on purpose.

I hope that was not the case in this thread.

Some judge in Florida threw out all Traffic Scam cases, calling them a "Three Card Monty Scam". Hope this catches on!

@jgermann.It's a matter of symantics. The word shortened just came to mind. As I think about it, "shortened" would mean intentional and "shorter" would mean "it just happened". I stand corrected.
And as to me opposing traffic camera enforcement (as you so elegantly state), I do not! They do need to STOP those that are running the lights. There are to many accidents and near misses because people choose to run the lights.

It was actually Ohio.

"Ruehlman argued that drivers had no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, and he noted that the devices are calibrated only once a year – and not by police, but instead by Optotraffic, the corporation that owns the device and has a financial stake in the setup."

Anyway, whether the lights were intentionally shortened, or intentionally not checked to make sure the timing was proper, or intentionally not certified, the results are the same. If the yellow lights are too short, more people will get red light camera tickets. Plain and simple.

http://tinyurl.com/a4hkdlz

Thanks @pwohlrab for the clarification. I thought that you were of the mind that running red lights needs to stop.

One of the reasons that I jumped on the word was that, as you stated, "shortened" comes to mind. That is likely because that word has been used - totally without merit and with purpose aforethought - by opponents of cameras as they try to create the impression that cameras are ONLY for revenue and have no safety value.

When yellow lights are shorter that other lights on the same stretch of road, that is a safety hazard and should be corrected immediately. People develop a sense of how long the yellows are and, unless there is consistency, might misjudge at the wrong time. Very few of us would be able to mentally say - I must be careful because the light 3 lights ahead is the one that is shorter than the rest.

Once again, thanks for that clarification

I think it is important - whether or not traffic cameras are involved - that yellow lights be consistently timed in accordance with guidelines that take into account speed, sight lines, etc.

But then

Sight lines create inconsistentcy from one light to the next.

I agree, but I think the lesser of the evils is to give more yellow time when the line of sight is obstructed.

If you can't stop in time from when you see the yellow, you can't stop in time if fhe light is red.

You have to change the sight line. Or do as some towns, place lights ahead of the traffic lights, that flash a warning you may have to stop.

The additional lights are a big help, I agree.

Not sure about first statement. We may be agreeing and I just do not realize it. It is the change from green to yellow that is important. If you see that change, you should always be able to stop if you are going the speed limit and the yellow timing is at or above guidelines.

Not sure about first statement. We may be agreeing and I just do not realize it. It is the change from green to yellow that is important. If you see that change, you should always be able to stop if you are going the speed limit and the yellow timing is at or above guidelines.

Certainly we agree on this point. However, I was concerned with the other situation

If when I first see the light it is yellow, then I can either brake or continue. What should I do?
If the sight line is such that there is insufficient time for me brake and stop, before the light changes to red, then I do not have time to stop if the light is already red.

Now we can do the math to show the effectiveness of lengthening the duration of the yellow, but, it is the sight line that determines the length of time I have to stop.

As you have already mentioned, short sight lines dictate that there be additional flashing yellow light signals that alert drivers that the upcoming stop light has just turned yellow.

I also know of several situations around me where there are flashing yellows that activate ahead of the actual yellow of a stop light I can see - because the light is at the bottom of a long downhill slope and drivers need additional time to overcome the additional effects of gravity on stopping distance.