Traffic Lights: Duration, Timing, and What to do when Flashing

Duration of Signal Changes in Walk Lights

Someone asked on how long walk lights change as he found that they change so soon. I wasn’t able to ask his physical condition, and so I would assume that he is in good health condition – that means he is no handicapped.

Walk lights are timed in relation with the traffic lights. If traffic signal goes green for 30 seconds, changes to yellow of 3 seconds, and then to red, you’ll have a total of 33 seconds all in all. This is solely an example for the sake of discussion. Furthermore, 15 seconds in that cycle, walk signals may start flashing, though that indicates a warning, you still have another 15 seconds to walk across to the side you are crossing.

When the walk light signal flashes, it alerts you to pace up as it is expected to change in a matter of seconds. In case you haven’t noticed, the signal tends to flash faster the sooner it changes its light sign suggesting you better hurry up. In some areas, there is a timer showing the number in seconds, which is pretty much better.

Why are Traffic Signs not timed together?

Have you ever wondered why traffic signs aren’t timed together in uniform to reduce some delay? If you really want to know specifics, you better contact traffic engineers in your own city or state. In most places in the US, the traffic lights are being timed.

There was a time when I stayed in Portland several years ago where you can drive along the highways without getting trapped at red lights, averaging speed at 17 MPH. I think that may have been the reason. I wasn’t speeding up that much. There are times that I tend to always be in a hurry that I try to speed up to pass one after another, but then hit the red light at the next signal. If you get the chance to understand how much speed traffic engineers designed that matches the timing with traffic lights, you may be certain that they are all timed after all. Perhaps, it isn’t the timing you would want, but maybe around 2/3 of the speed limit.

What to Do when Traffic Signs Go Flashing

I’ve been driving in the US for years and, fortunately, I haven’t been able to experience traffic signs flashing. This actually reminds me of someone close to me.

A friend of mine underwent a driver’s lesson in the year 1977. The instructor drove her to her school in Washington where she once attended. They drove along roads, with the instructor giving her directions while she was driving. And then there was a moment when she came across with a Stop Signage. She hit the break. She waited, waited, and waited. Ultimately, the instructor asked what she was waiting for. She said to him she was waiting for the signage to shift to color green. Haha! I thought I’d share it.

Anyway, traffic and school zone signals flash yellow, construction lights flash somewhat orange, and railroad crossing signals flash red. When you view a traffic light that keeps on flashing yellow, it is best for you to hit the break before it turns red. When construction lights are flashing, slow your speed down. For flashing railroad lights, stop before you reach the railway. Traffic tickets are nothing compared to what can possibly happen when you hit the track. Yikes. And then for school zone signals, you are reminded that you are in a student prone area and kids may be everywhere within the vicinity.

Traffic tickets can be bothersome. Why deal with it when you can drive safely in accordance with the traffic regulations. If you intend to break the rules, go drive in third world countries as tickets are cheaper and you can bribe traffic officers. But can you risk your own or other’s life for irresponsible driving?