Traffic Ticket

There are so many types traffic lights installed around the US plus thousands of ways to program them there is simply no way for anyone here can truely answer your question with a definitive answer about your specific traffic signal.

http://www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/stopping-distances.htm

Check this link for stopping distances. 45 mph is about equal to 65 ft/sec, from the information you gave your distance from the intersection was about 325 feet which means you could have stopped two times over before the light turned red.

Thanks Richard, the link really help, I had the feeling I could not have stopped, even if I tried, before the intersection and the information they have supported my thinking.

was green, turn amber or yellow to red within 5 seconds or less

Hah! About a month ago, I was in the front row at an intersection with a traffic light. It was red and was red for several minutes. I was getting impatient.

Then the light turned green. Depressed the clutch, got into gear and slipped my foot off the brakes and THE DARN LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND THEN RED! I was already beginning to roll and had already got onto the pedestrian lane.

Fortunately, there was no policeman around but I had to wait another few minutes. This time, I kept my foot on the clutch and in gear, ready to jump as soon as the light turned green.

I suspect that some traffic light programmers just make estimates on timing. A light that changes quickly should, logically, be applicable in very slow traffic. Longer changes should apply for faster traffic flow.

On stopping a vehicle at certain speeds, frankly, I don't think I'd have time to calculate these things. Whenever I approach an intersection, I drop my speed in anticipation that the light will change at the most inappropriate time.

Oh what a pet peeve.

Lately there has been a lot of ad campaigns encouraging us to be mindful of our fossil fuel consumption here in the States.

I would like to know how much energy would be saved if the highway department come out and properly set the signals for various times of day, etc. (after inspecting the bridges of course)

Many are pressure sensitive but seem to be over ridden by a time of day program. There are signals where I sit idling a full minute or more with no other car in sight. Or conversely as you mentioned 2 cars scrape through while a dozen or more idle for 3 or more minutes.

It makes me say bad words. Shame on me.

cr3

You'll be happy to know that the mayor of Houston has had the traffic department working on properly timing lights downtown, to reduce congestion and reduce air pollution. So at least some are working on it...

I am with Vulcan on rather approaching a green intersection cautiously.

This morning I stopped on the red light with someone (about 4 car lengths behind me) decided skipping the robot was ok. he passed me in the safety lane. It therefore don't seem to be safe to be cautious.

I would put my case about the charges.

In my youth I were charged for skipping a robot (more or less the same) I went to see the prosecutor and while traveling in the lift I told him the facts. When the lift stopped an older man told the prosecutor to withdraw the case. (He was the judge).

I was trialed and acquitted in a lift.

Can't imagine many people not having run the red light or failed to stop when they could have done unless the just past their test. You get caught every once in a while just pay up an' start being more careful.

This is all about risk...if you make a judgment call that, because its early in the morning, it's safe to jump a red light, that's up to you, but that doesn't mean there wont be any one around, ever! You might just meet the guy who goes through at 90mph every morning, because it's early...

As to the stopping distance, whats the weight and weight distribution of the vehicle? Have you got good tyres? Do your brakes work well or are they just adequate? If you're not confidant, get some advanced driving training. If you don't know how much space you need to stop in, how far away from the car in front do you travel?

Hmmm. Have you got a driving licence?

yes to all of your questions, good brakes , good vehicle and everything, even good visibility and have taken defensive driving training too, have not ever ran a red light, was approx. 40-50 feet away from intersection when light turned to amber and turned red within the distance. No cars on or near the intersection, behind or in front and none observed to either side.

...taken defensive driving training

Part of defensive driving is anticipation and driving at a speed that is sensible. As I said in my post #2, when driving towards an intersection, you have to slow down to a sensible speed in anticipation that the light will either turn red or some fool will come roaring into the intersection.

I've seen guys approach an intersection at full speed while it's red, hoping that it will turn green by the time they reach it. Meanwhile another guy in the other lane, approaches the intersection at full speed hoping that the light will stay green when he reaches it. This scenario can be featured in National Geographic's "Seconds from Disaster". It won't be pretty.

Going through an intersection at 45mph is terribly fast. Then, as someone already said, braking distance depends on vehicle weight (changes if you've just filled up or have passengers), tire wear (deteriorates as time goes on, ergo, longer stopping as the tire wears), brake condition, weather, human reaction time (tired? sleepy? had a drink?). There's just too many variables to put your life at risk.

Braking distances will vary immensely from vehicle to vehicle. A Porshe 911 won't have the same braking distance as a Lincoln Continental for example. The size of the braking disks and the difference between an ABS (that anti-locking device) and a non ABS system will make all the difference in the world when it comes down to a "close call" situation.

Drive the way you've learned in your defensive driving course and slow down.....

Must have been one. The cop saw you. Time of day is no excuse, accidents must have happened at that intersection in the wee hours of the morning, or they would have it on flash (energy saveing). Some lights run on a predetermained time pattren, some have detector loops in or under the pavement(to detect your pressance), and some are syncronised so you can drive thru a dozen at a predetermained speed (and hit them all green). The ones that have the visual detectors are for emergency vehicles, so they will have a green when they need it. Sounds to me ,like you just weren't paying attention. Pay your ticket,and be a good boy and pay more attention to your driving and less attention to what is going on in your vehicle. NO CELL PHONES OR LOUD AUDIO GOING BOOM BOOM FOR FIVE BLOCKS

Hilltopper, I have travelled the same road for over 6 years, last two years before 5 AM, there is no traffic at that time, here in San Diego County, Ca. is the best time, to avoid making a fool of myself arguing a futile or lost cause, I have paid attention to the same traffic light the last two days, from the moment it detects my vehicle the light has stayed on until I passed it, My vehicle is a 2004 F150, weight is over 6000 lbs. properly maintained. Every signal light, in our city, has a detector above them for incoming traffic to time light changes, I have sat in front of the same traffic light, between 2-3 PM hours, waiting for light to turn green and have seen it take photos without a car crossing the intersection. My question initially was to, if possible, obtain information regarding traffic lights timing and help on braking distance which, I have obtained. Last time I was stopped, not ticketed, by police is approx. 17 years ago, in my 20's had a minor accident and learned the lesson, I am on my 50's.

I have notice that some cities seem more interested in generating revenue than ensuring safety.

A very short yellow is a very dangerous thing to have.

I was impressed with Scottsdale AZ. Not only is the yellow a reasonable length of time, there is a delay on the green for opposing traffic after you get a red to ensure safety against what I call the Jack Rabbits who will try to race the yellow or run the red.

This one by George Carlin is the best description of the traffic signal situations.

Double j b, life is a serious matter and G. Carlin is not funny, it may just be my lack of humor.

SACA - yes you are right about life being a serious matter, but sometimes it is a relief just to ridicule and have a good laugh about the things that are the most irritating. Especially when you must accept the things that probably cannot or will not be changed.

Sometimes I laugh at myself for my reactions to the things in life. Just an old guy's opinion -- and another perspective.

Good luck with your problem.

Saca,

I take things seriously that should be taken that way.

Things that I may or may not be able to change, I find some releif in being able to laugh at them.

Besides, My Brother might be coming the other way!!!

Sorry guys about my lack of humor, I do not watch comedy shows for same reason, I find them not humorous, yet I must admit that sometimes a good laugh is needed, unfortunately not at this time. Things that have no explanation puzzle me and spend time reasoning until I come with the answer, if I do not find it, I ask for help; I appreciate the advise given, thanks.

regarding 12-18.

Oh brother.

I met one of those fast red light once in Toronto. It got nothing to do with reflex or skill, you just don't have time to do anything.

I approached the green light at 60km/h. Got to 1 car length away from the white line, light turn yellow then red before I even cross the line. To make it worse, an officer pull in front of me and drive slow after I've crossed the intersection. Lucky for me, he/she didn't pull me over.

You're not supposed to slam on the brake when the light turn yellow. Traffic lights do malfunction, you can go to court and explain it to the judge.

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