NJ considers allowing towns to tweak length of yellow lights

New Jersey towns may get permission form the state to tweak the length of yellow lights if proposed legislation advances

Even a modest increase in the duration of a yellow light could make a big difference, said Assemblyman Joe Lagana, D-Bergen.

“We see a lot of accidents wherein people are hurt because either they’re speeding through these intersections or they’re just slamming on their breaks,” he said. “So having more time from which to either proceed through the light or to stop would reduce motor vehicle accidents.”

A bill sponsored by Lagana and Assemblyman Tim Eustace, D-Bergen, would set yellow light times based on the speed of traffic approaching an intersection. At least four seconds of yellow would be required. That could be extended to seven seconds for roads where the traffic usually goes more than 55 mph.