How to deal with the STALE GREEN at photo enforce lights?

You know, your truck will not accelerate to make it under yellow. So, as you approach any stale green, you should be decelerating with your foot poised on the brake pedal. A loaded truck will not jackknife unless the road is icy, in which case you should have been driving even slower. I would not worry about a motorist hitting you from behind. That is their problem.

 

The flashing "Don't Walk" sign will flash so many times. In Las Vegas NV it was between 12 to 15 times then it will turn solid as the yellow light comes on. Most of all of our deliveries we use surface streets because that's where the gas stations are.

The "Don't Walk" sign is a good tool that we all used so we could concentrate on the traffic all around the truck. It's harder to stop a 100,000lb 85' truck and trailer than a normal size truck so we always slow down at intersections. Another tip is to turn down the radio and crack the passenger window so you can hear better. I came through an intersection one time that had a block wall blocking the view of the stopped traffic on the right and an ambulance came flying by right in front of me. If I hadn't slowed down I would have T-boned him and that wouldn't be good.

If you're out on the street at night and there's very little traffic you might be able to pull off a trick we used to change the light to green. Hit your brights about 500 feet back and if it has the sensor it will change. However, don't let any LEO's see you do this because we did get warned.

 

Prepare to stop or pay. Not alot of other choices/ Vegas also has number count downs on some of the crosswalk signs.

 

It's been awhile for me there but numbered count down is what every city needs.

 

Just wanted to comment on this. It is not illegal to drive slower than the posted speed limit. You're not holding up traffic if you are moving forward, so I could not care less if I hold up some impatient 4 wheeler who is behind me in my lane trying to get to work at the last minute. If they are that pressed for time, then they should have left earlier. That has always been my motto, and I have driven 5 or even 10 mph slower than the speed limit many times on surface streets. My job is to get that load safely to it's destination without killing someone or myself, and without damaging it. If I can drive just a little slower and prevent things like that from happening, then I will drive slower. Also, realistically, that person is not losing any time unless they were to do this for a prolonged period of time (or if they normally drive twice the speed limit).

For stale green lights, I check for the crosswalk signs, like suggested. A few places now have the countdown timers which are definitely nice (Las Vegas, Phoenix, etc.). This should honestly be adopted everywhere. Proper read ahead (2 city blocks), and being prepared to slow the vehicle quickly if needed are always important.

 

I hate these stupid lights. They had them in Germany before the US did. I get prepared to stop and the stupid thing doesn't change. I gouge on it and commit myself to it and it changes...... One of these days I am gonna get a mask that looks like GasHauler and when I get the ticket I will say that ain't me....

 

approaching a stale green, photo enforced intersection:

pull visor down, pull shirt up over chin...

continue on in normal operation...

 

Winner!

 

If your truck has the (4) Bolt securement then just shim the top bolts with a few washers and adjust the angle facing down.
If you have the bracket that attach's to the bottom lip on a steel bumper and only bolts at the bottom,just bend it forward about 30* towards the ground.

Either is effective at blurring the images of traffic cams.