Yellow Light runners

[patric]

What's the usual interval for a yellow light?  Two seconds?  Three?

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) formula for calculating yellow light times is included below:

Recommended Yellow Light Times
Three seconds should be the absolute minimum time for any intersection.

25 MPH -- 3.0 Seconds
30 MPH -- 3.5 Seconds
35 MPH -- 4.0 Seconds
40 MPH -- 4.5 Seconds
45 MPH -- 5.0 Seconds
50 MPH -- 5.5 Seconds
55 MPH -- 6.0 Seconds

[cannon_fodder]

Wilbur:

I was taught in Drivers Ed some moons ago to ENTER an intersection before turning left.  You intend to turn left, light turns green, enter the intersection, wait for traffic to clear - turn left.  In such a way you are able to complete a left turn much more quickly than if you were sitting 20 feet back. If you enter the intersection and the light turns yellow, oncoming traffic then stops and you complete your turn.

In this scenario I could end up in the intersection on a red light as I clear the intersection.  Will I get a ticket for this?  If so, what is the proper course of action?

[Wilbur]

Wilbur:

I was taught in Drivers Ed some moons ago to ENTER an intersection before turning left.  You intend to turn left, light turns green, enter the intersection, wait for traffic to clear - turn left.  In such a way you are able to complete a left turn much more quickly than if you were sitting 20 feet back. If you enter the intersection and the light turns yellow, oncoming traffic then stops and you complete your turn.

In this scenario I could end up in the intersection on a red light as I clear the intersection.  Will I get a ticket for this?  If so, what is the proper course of action?

No.  There is language that allows ONE CAR to enter the intersection "in preparation for a left turn" and is allowed to complete their turn even if the light turns red before they leave the intersection.

This is usually where the green light violation comes in.  Some one is sitting in the intersection in preparation for a left turn.  Their light turns red and they get nailed by some dude who just got a green light and floors the gas, hitting the guy who was already legally in the intersection.  The guy could be cited for a green light violation.  Very rare, but I've seen it done a couple times.