Florida DOT Cuts Yellow Light Delay Ignoring Federal Guidelines, Citations Soar

New submitter zlives writes in with news that Florida's DOT changed some language in their yellow light timing regulations, leading to a decrease in the yellow delay. Especially at lights with red light cameras. "From the article: 'Red light cameras generated more than $100 million in revenue last year in approximately 70 Florida communities, with 52.5 percent of the revenue going to the state. The rest is divided by cities, counties, and the camera companies. In 2013, the cameras are on pace to generate $120 million.' I wonder what the camera company cut is?" At least one area has promised to undo the reduction now that they have been caught.

Comments

Not only citations but accidents I'm sure

[Sycraft-fu]

The #1 thing you can do to reduce collisions in an intersection is lengthen the yellow. Go ask AAA, they've got plenty of data on it.

Shit like this, and this is not the first time it happens, proves that traffic cameras are 100% NOT about safety, they are about money.

Re:Not only citations but accidents I'm sure

[Anonymous Coward]

The "Yellow phase" - is actually a fixed 3 second Amber period in the UK.

What is key the the time from the green of one phase ending to the start of a green on the conflicting phase starting. This is known as the inter-green period. This is calculated based upon distance between the two conflict points.

The leaving amber period is fixed (3 seconds) the Red-Amber period is fixed as 2 second - hence any intergreen period that need to be longer then 5 seconds - both signals are at red (all-red) period.

Posting as anonymous, so I do not have to pass this through the press office. Yes I am a Traffic Engineer.

Re:Short yellow lights are a safety hazard

[D1G1T]

No, do pay it. Otherwise the ticket will be charged to the rental agency, who will charge your credit card for the fine and probably a large processing fee as per your rental agreement. Your $50 fine can easily become $250.