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Lawmakers consider changing yellow light times

By Regan McCarthy

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990566.mp3

Tallahassee, Fl – State legislators are working to make intersections safer. To do that Regan McCarthy reports the House Transportation committee has approved a bill that would standardize the length of yellow lights.

House Bill 33 would make a standard for how long yellow lights should last based on how fast cars are approaching a given intersection. Representative Larry Ahern of St.Petersburg introduced the bill.

"It will set the standard since there currently in statute is no standard. There's just a minimum and a maximum. So it will set the standard."

Ahern says the change would be made at intersections with red light cameras first, but then extend to all intersections. According to a staff analysis the change would cost the state $800-thousand and local governments another $300-thousand. Opponents worry the light timing changes would confuse drivers and cause more crashes.