Point of No Return

A motorist approaching a traffic signal that has just turned from green to yellow must make a decision - accelerate to clear the intersection before the signal turns red or brake to stop for the light. In an effort to arrive at their destination as soon as possible, aggressive drivers typically accelerate often entering the intersection at full speed after the light has turned red. They have violated a red light, risked or caused an accident, and confirmed a defensive driver’s need to hesitate before proceeding on a green light. Defensive drivers typically brake, resigning themselves to waiting through a signal cycle.

With the increase in traffic on city thoroughfares, the problem of scofflaws running red lights has become serious. In response to the problem, the use of video cameras has been introduced to detect traffic signal violators and issue citations. The decision to adopt ‘big brother’ techniques of remote surveillance has brought heated objections from some motorists, which is somewhat disingenuous, because the simplest way to avoid a ticket is to simply stop on the yellow. But, perhaps the opposition to cameras is not simply a desire to avoid a fine and goes deeper. Perhaps, the motorists who object to the cameras are reacting to feelings of fear and frustration. Upon seeing the light turn yellow, such emotions can be produced and run the gamut from not knowing whether they will be able to stop in time, whether they will be rear-ended if they attempt to stop, or whether they can speed up in time to clear the intersection and avoid being hit by cross-traffic.

There is a possible solution to the dilemma of decision/indecision posed by a yellow traffic light. As a motorist approaches an intersection with a traffic signal, a point of no return is confronted. Based on the road’s speed limit and the vehicle’s stopping distance, there is an imaginary line across the roadway before the intersection, the point of no return, past which a stop short of the intersection cannot be made or before which a safe stop is possible. I propose that a new traffic marking be placed at signalized intersections. I propose that a yellow band be painted perpendicular to the center line of the street approaching an intersection to indicate to motorists the location of that ‘point of no return’. The cross street marking would be an aid to the motorist’s decision-making, enabling safer vehicle operation and fewer inadvertent violations.

The location of the cross street marking could have buffers built into it. A vehicle speed 5 miles per hour above the speed limit, a rate at which most traffic seems to travel, could be used to calculate stopping distance. The braking ability of a vehicle could be based on trucks, rather than passenger cars. The cross street marking could be made of reflective materials to facilitate recognition at night. A roadside sign could be added to help the motorist locate the point of no return. If marking lines across streets before every signalized intersection was considered too costly for traffic control budgets, the fine for running a red light at an unmarked intersection could be increased as a deterrent. There are most likely other considerations that would need to be applied to this traffic control innovation, before it would be considered state of the art. The most likely consideration would be to paint the lines at a few prominent red light violation intersections for a test to see if it worked.

Solving the world’s problems, one at a time.