Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ
Sure there is. The longer the yellow light, the more time people have to decide whether or not to run through it.
4 seconds at 30 MPH (44FPS) is 44*4 = 176 feet. That's enough for an F150 to stop from 55.
Sure, in inclement weather, it's harder to stop, but you shouldn't be driving as fast, either. The fact is, the law says that when the light turns yellow, your best bet is to slow down and stop. If you can't stop before the light turns red, you'll be in the "safe zone" anyway by the time it does. |
That's enough for a brand new unloaded F150 to stop from 55 using maximum braking, under ideal test track conditions, with an expert driver at the wheel and no reaction time required.
The law also defines the minimum yellow times for lights based on speed limits, among other factors. However, it can be overrode by greedy jurisdictions who are tired of driving last year's model of Interceptor.
The fact is that there's a red light camera at a 50 mph intersection on my commute with a yellow time of only 3 seconds. I have to downshift and slow down below the speed limit ahead of the light so I can make that brake or floor-it decision twice a day. If cars have to slow while approaching every green light to avoid getting caught out, then the yellow light is too damn short.