the yellow must be of a reasonable time, if not find a lawyer. The purpose of traffic lights is to insure safe and efficient use of the roads, not to generate income.
5.3.2 Vehicular Change and Clearance Intervals
The intent of the vehicle phase change and clearance intervals is to provide a safe transition between two conflicting phases. It consists of a yellow change interval and, optionally, a red clearance interval. The intent of the yellow change interval is to warn drivers of the impending change in right-of-way assignment. The red clearance interval is used when there is some benefit to providing additional time before conflicting movements receive a green indication.
Yellow Change
The duration of the yellow change interval is typically based upon driver perception-reaction time, plus the distance needed to safely stop or to travel safely through the intersection.
A state’s Uniform Vehicle Code directly affects yellow change interval timing, as it determines whether a permissive or restrictive yellow law is in place.
•Permissive Yellow Law: A driver can enter the intersection during the entire yellow interval and be in the intersection during the red indication as long as the vehicle entered the intersection during the yellow interval. Under permissive yellow law, an all-red clearance interval must exist as a timing parameter to ensure safe right-of-way transfer at an intersection. This rule is consistent with paragraph 11-202 of the Uniform Vehicle Code (9).
•Restrictive Yellow Law: There are two variations of this law (10). In one variation, a vehicle may not enter an intersection when the indication is yellow unless the vehicle can clear the intersection by the end of yellow. This implies that the yellow duration should be sufficiently long as to allow drivers the time needed to clear the intersection if they determine that it is not possible to safely stop. In the other variation, a vehicle may not enter an intersection unless it is impossible or unsafe to stop. With restrictive yellow law, the presence of an all-red interval is optional and good engineering judgment should be applied.
Due to the varying interpretations of the yellow change use, it is encouraged that traffic engineers refer to the local and regional statutes for guidance in determining the purpose of the yellow change time.
