A client recently was cited for blowing through a red light and getting caught by a red light camera. The photos showed that the client crossed the stop line 0.1 seconds after the light turned red. The case is currently under advisement but it might have some interest for others dealing with red light cameras.

The standard in the industry for yellow light duration is 3 to 6 seconds. Portland, in all of its wisdom, chooses to go on the quicker side of the spectrum and sets most of its yellow lights to 3.5 seconds. Studies also show that the average person has a reaction time of 1 second. Accordingly, an average driver will have 2.5 second to come to a stop and avoid getting a red light camera ticket.

In the case I’m working on, since she crossed into the intersection 0.1 seconds after the light turned red, that means she only had 2.6 seconds to actually stop her vehicle. I found a memorandum by William C. Kloos, the Signals & Street Lighting Division Manager of the Portland Department of Transportation. The memo is dated December 8, 2006 and is very interesting because it references the “Dilemma Zone” which is the area in which a driver must decide whether or not it is safe to stop. Mr. Kloos states that the Dilemma Zone is located between 3 and 5 seconds before a vehicle reaches the stopbar for an intersection. For an approaching speed of 30 mph, this would mean that the Dilemma Zone is 88 to 220 feet before the stopbar.

The argument to be made is that for a driver in the Dilemma Zone, s/he must make the decision whether or not it is safe to stop or proceed through a red light. The Courts will apply a reasonable person standard but some of the factors to be taken into account should be the weather, the amount of traffic and whether or not the pavement was wet.

If anyone wants a copy of Mr. Kloos’ memorandum, please let me know.