http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/04/alexandrias-dangerous-yellow-light-game/
This editorial talks about the general Assembly's House Bill 1292. Basically, the bill is going to allow Alexandria to change its yellow light to turn red in three seconds rather than its current four seconds. Also, it gives the companies who are behind traffic cameras access to certain private information kept in the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is all because Alexandria wants money. They want to take their law enforcement to these outside companies, who will charge a low price to implement these new traffic programs. Alexandria doesn't want to spend the money to pay for the program itself, so this bill would allow these changes. If these changes are put into place, and the traffic light length for yellow lights is shortened, the city is going to make a great profit. In 1997, Alexandria tried a similar program, and there was about 80% more red light runners than with the longer yellow light, and about 29% more collisions. However, Bob McDonnell has the power to veto this bill if he chooses.
I think what Alexandria is doing is terrible. They tried the program back in 1997, and it increased collisions/accidents and the number of traffic violators dramatically. I realize that the economy is bad, but using traffic lights as a way to take more money from people is not the way to go. Basically, Alexandria is substituting safety of its people for money. It worries me because if other regionals start to see how much money Alexandria is raking in from this risky program, then other regions may start to follow suit. Let's just hope that Bob McDonnell vetoes the bill.
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