[JTN]

The city fathers attempt to justify this by saying, "Well, rear end collisions are safer than T-bones."

They may be right, but there is one inconvenient fact that they leave out - that they can prevent both by lengthening yellow lights. Of course, that doesn't bring in revenue.

[Emmett McCarthy]

Bingo! We have a winner!

[Sergio]

A point I always try to bring up when discussing this issue. I've noticed that we are starting to get these intersection cameras in my neck of the woods. It seems, (I'll have to check to be sure), that the length of the yellow has been shortened. It seems this would generate a greater number of red light runners and consequently, more revenue.

I can however, see why some folks might be in favor of these cameras. It seems like I see someone running a red light at every intersection I am stopped at.

When I run through a yellow, watching it turn red just as I pass beneath the light, and think, "man, I just made it", I look through the rear view mirror and see that four or five cars behind me ran the light as well.

[AnAmericanMother]

Very good point.

We have a couple of "problem" intersections locally that have very long yellows . . . with good effect. It does separate the sheep from the goats . . .

[MediaMole]

Better than lengthening the yellow -- create one second of 4-way red between cycles. It gives an opportunity for all cars to clear the intersection before the next green.

[Oystir]

The city fathers attempt to justify this by saying, "Well, rear end collisions are safer than T-bones.

Tell that to someone that needs a spinal rod placed, a head injury or worse.

[quantim]

that they can prevent both by lengthening yellow lights.

That's silly.  We all know that folks constantly 'gun' the throttle in order to make the light:

1. To prevent running a red light and getting caught.
2. To beat the traffic and get to work on time.
3. Prove you can beat the system.
4. Show off your new SUV.

In reality, all a longer yellow light would do would be to encourage more people to blast through intersections at higher average speeds as they have a longer warning to do so, because we can.  

It would be deadly.  

But back on topic, an electronic 'ticket' is not congruent with established policies of our judicial system.