Yellow Light, Red Light, 1, 2, 3

The Nassau County Legislators are patting themselves on their backs for installing red light cameras all around the county. They are so excited at the prospect of bringing in an expected $13 Million in Revenue in 2010 (http://newsday.com/1.2212978) that now they are asking Albany for another $25 Million to put up more cameras (Syosset Jericho Tribune Oct 1, 2010). You'd think they would wait until the program paid for itself. This is another example of government spending gone crazy.

But to the point, is Red Light Cameras for public safety or for government revenue? I think the example above makes it obvious that our legislators love for red-light photography is only equal by their love of green backs. Red light cameras do not make the road any safer. In fact, I would contend that it makes the roads more dangerous as motorists have to worry about the car in front of them slamming on the brakes at the site of yellow. The yellow light was created to avoid such a hazard. But, the problem of the yellow light as well as road rage in general has come about because of two simple underlying issues on the road. If these issues were addressed, I think the need for the cameras (as far as safety is concerned) would be diminished as the roads would be much safer. What are these underlying issues?

1. Traffic lights that are not in sync with each other, causing drivers to stop at every other block.
2. Inconsistent timing of the Yellow light.

Let's first look at the synchronization of traffic lights. I'm not saying that every light should turn green as I approach it (although it would be nice). I do think that once a driver hits a red light they should have a reasonable expectation to have the traffic light go their way for a good stretch within the speed limit, before coming to another red light. But, that is not the case on most roads in the area. In fact, on many roads it would seem that the timing of the lights are set to actually frustrate a driver. Thus, generating road rage, and thus making a driver more likely to want to blow through that yellow light. I don't think any driver minds hitting a red light or two, but when every light seems against you... it could make even the mildest mannered person scream.

The second is the inconsistent timing of the yellow lights. At some corners the yellow may stay on two or three seconds while at others the yellow light barely has a chance to appear before the red light comes on. I understand that different intersections require different timings. I know that I have gotten into the habit of watching the walk signs for a signal of when a traffic light is about to change, but not every intersection has a pedestrian crossing. With modern technology I think the yellow light should be retooled. Perhaps embedding a countdown so a motorist knows whether they should slam on the brakes. Although, if they have the countdown to see as they approach the intersection, it would give them fair warning. If an embedded countdown is not practical, why not set the yellow light to blink as it changes, blinking faster as the time ticks down. I actually remember seeing this on old traffic lights that had only red and green. The green light would begin to blink just before turning to red as a warning to drivers.

Maybe it's time to start being fair to motorists again, instead of seeing them as a revenue stream. The government taxes us on the sale, registration and inspection of our cars. They put toll booths up to collect money as we leave the island, they tax our fuel, and they lay traps out to catch us if we miss a light. And most of the money collected for all this goes to the MTA. How about doing something nice for the drivers for a change?