It turns out that when you were thinking that it didn’t seem fair you got that ticket for running a red light, you might have been right. Evidently some U.S. cities have been guilty of shortening their yellow lights at traffic intersections, namely intersections with cameras on them. But why would they do something like this?
Revenue, my friend. Lots and lots of revenue.
Since most drivers are used to the approximately 4 second long yellow light featured on most intersections, they end up gauging the timing wrong on these short yellows. This results in them running a red light and triggering the traffic camera. Bam! Instant ticket. The rate of tickets issued raises dramatically at these particular lights.
This is wrong on so many levels. In addition to the absolute shadiness regarding their extra income, another result from these shorter yellows is a drastic increase in traffic accidents at these intersections. Yes, that means they are risking peoples’ lives just to make an extra buck.
Click here to read about six cities who were caught shortening their lights by conscientous citizens.