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The fact that we are discussing a yellow light and not a red one is because the yellow light is a mitigation that significantly reduces the risk of harm from ma
by mannykannot 7y ago
The fact that we are discussing a yellow light and not a red one is because the yellow light is a mitigation that significantly reduces the risk of harm from making a wrong (or, shall we say, suboptimal?) decision.
- phab 7y agoAgreed - the majority of drivers will now be making the discrete decision "Is green or amber" not "Is amber or red". That is to say, that the proportion of drivers having to make the risky decision (i.e. if they were to decide to accelerate through the amber) is significantly reduced... although interestingly I think the principle states that as T(amber) << T(green) the liklihood of indecision for that second case now does increase.
- mannykannot 7y agoI don't think there is any doubt about what the color is (or, given color-blind drivers, which light is on); the only issue a law-abiding driver is supposed to consider, on seeing the yellow light come on, is whether one can stop within the remaining distance. Of course, in practice, it's more complicated... The practice of putting cameras on lights and then reducing the duration of the yellow light is not only an abuse of power but also dangerous.