When LED stoplights are dangerous in cold weather situations

[kokonut]

Cities around the country that have installed energy-efficient traffic lights are discovering a hazardous downside: The bulbs don’t burn hot enough to melt snow and can become crusted over in a storm — a problem blamed for dozens of accidents and at least one death.

“I’ve never had to put up with this in the past,” said Duane Kassens, a driver from West Bend who got into a fender-bender recently because he couldn’t see the lights. “The police officer told me the new lights weren’t melting the snow. How is that safe?”

Many communities have switched to LED bulbs in their traffic lights because they use 90 percent less energy than the old incandescent variety, last far longer and save money. Their great advantage is also their drawback: They do not waste energy by producing heat. …

Illinois authorities said that during a storm in April, 34-year-old Lisa Richter could see she had a green light and began making a left turn. A driver coming from the opposite direction did not realize the stoplight was obscured by snow and plowed into Richter’s vehicle, killing her.

“Would the accident have occurred if the lights had been clear? I would be willing to bet not,” Oswego police Detective Rob Sherwood said.

Energy-efficient traffic lights can't melt snow - Yahoo! News


Putting LED lights in stoplights in snow-prone areas would be an exercise in lack of common sense here (if only they had the foresight to think ahead about cold weather conditions). Leave LED stoplights in warmer areas while keeping stoplights that have those hot incandescent light bulbs help keep them snow and ice free. Consider it as an additional cost to help keep it ice and snow free. Else towns and cities could face potential lawsuits each winter.

 

[posts from hell]

Energy-efficient traffic lights can't melt snow - Yahoo! News


Putting LED lights in stoplights in snow-prone areas would be an exercise in lack of common sense here. Leave LED stoplights in warmer areas while keeping stoplights that have those hot incandescent light bulbs help keep them snow and ice free. Else towns and cities will be facing potential lawsuits each winter.

The law is STOP at an intersection if the lights aren't working one way or the other.

 

[kokonut]

Yes, but then again if one can't tell or not notice that there's a stop light there in snowy weather condition, then you might have a problem at that intersecton.

 

[Jiro]

The law is STOP at an intersection if the lights aren't working one way or the other.

bingo - COMMON sense! What if there's a power outage? same thing! :roll:

 

[Jiro]

Yes, but then again if one can't tell or not notice that there's a stop light there in snowy weather condition, then you might have a problem at that intersecton.

so what about power outage?

 

[Banjo]

The law is STOP at an intersection if the lights aren't working one way or the other.

That's common sense.

We have a lot of LED traffic lights here. Never had a problem with them in the winter.

 

[Lighthouse77]

bingo - COMMON sense! What if there's a power outage? same thing! :roll:

I hope you all enjoy sitting in traffics. Look like more police will have to "waste their gas" to make a trip to all snow covered LED lights.

btw, I noticed that some LED kitchen counter lights can be hot.

but shouldn't stop lights have a shield to keep snow from falling in it?

 

[Banjo]

Yes, but then again if one can't tell or not notice that there's a stop light there in snowy weather condition, then you might have a problem at that intersecton.

It doesn't matter, you are to stop at the intersection if you are unable to see the traffic lights.

 

[posts from hell]

Yes, but then again if one can't tell or not notice that there's a stop light there in snowy weather condition, then you might have a problem at that intersecton.

You're from the northwest, and went to Idaho for school. You know this as well as me.

In whiteouts you can always drive slowly and ACTUALLY notice you're at an intersection. You also know to stop. This is the responsibility of the people who hold a drivers license.

If you did not know if you're passing an intersection - It's completely your fault.
1.) You either drove too fast, or shouldn't be driving.
2.) Look at #1.

So, even that, the cities aren't responsible.

On a side note. I've seen a lot of that stuff in Colorado - and I've NEVER had a problem.

*Edit* Kokonut, I like your posts at times. I see where you're coming from but this one just disappoints me, fyi.

 

[Jiro]

I hope you all enjoy sitting in traffics. Look like more police will have to "waste their gas" to make a trip to all snow covered LED lights.

btw, I noticed that some LED kitchen counter lights can be hot.

but shouldn't stop lights have a shield to keep snow from falling in it?

nothing is bullet-proof. when all fails, it comes down to simple non-technology technique as said in Driver Manual Book in Driver Ed -

NJ DMV

Uncontrolled
An intersection is uncontrolled when two or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device. A motorist must be very careful when approaching these types of intersections. Most of the time there will be a warning sign prior to reaching the intersection. As a motorist nears a crossroad that is not controlled, he/she must reduce speed and be ready to stop if any traffic is coming from the right or left. A motorist coming from a private road or driveway must yield to all traffic on the main road (although a motorist can never be sure that will occur). As a general rule, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right. When a traffic signal is not illuminated because of a power failure or other malfunction, the traffic signal is observed as a 4-way stop signal. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-81)

 

[posts from hell]

nothing is bullet-proof. when all fails, it comes down to simple non-technology technique as said in Driver Manual Book in Driver Ed -

NJ DMV

/thread

 

[Lighthouse77]

yes that is true, but that's kinda hard on certain intersection, especially the 6 or more lane type. I have to cross this type of heavy intersection all the time. We did have a power outage and it was terrible and had to wait for the police

 

[kokonut]

Point number 1: Snow made the traffic light useless.
Point number 2: No driver could possibly have spotted a red light in time. and it'd be even worse with the green color since it would have been difficult to discern it at speed, especially during the daytime.
Point number 3: Might as well put stop signs at every intersection each winter since drivers wouldn't see the light at all or even noticed the traffice light hanging over in the middle of the intersection before it was too late.


You'd think it be easy to spot an intersection when everything is basically a white out?

Picture of truck at snowy intersection with traffic light blotted out with snow.
New energy-efficient LED traffic lights can't melt snow, cities discover | National News - cleveland.com - - cleveland.com

 

[Jiro]

Since this accident occurred in Milwaukee, WI.... here's what Wisconsin driver manual said -

Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook

Intersections
At an intersection where there are no signs or traffic lights, you must yield to vehicles coming from the right.
At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection
first goes first (after coming to a complete stop.) If more than
one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right
goes first. You must yield to vehicles already on the main road
if you are entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside.
You must yield to traffic already in a roundabout, traffic circle or rotary.
You must yield to cross traffic if your roadway dead-ends.

Winter Driving

Each year about 30 snowstorms drop about 50 inches of snow in Wisconsin. Winter driving calls for special techniques:

Winter Driving Safety Tips
First is worst. In the first storm of the season, most drivers have forgotten their safe winter driving skills. They’ll drive too fast and try to stop too quickly. Go slow. Increase following distances. Drive defensively. Relearn your skills.

Go slow. Drive well below the posted speed limit. Posted limits are intended for summer months on dry pavement. Avoid sudden, sharp turns. Use light braking by gently pumping the brakes.

Plan ahead. Plan on trips taking extra time. Leave earlier. Consider an alternate route. STAY HOME if conditions are too bad.

Use your head, use your feet. Never use cruise control on slippery roads.

Lighten up. Turn on your headlights. To prevent glare, avoid using your high beams during a night storm.

Wear your seatbelts.

Give snow plows room. Snowplows are wide. They often need to operate very close to the center line. Sometimes they throw up clouds of snow, which affects your vision. Slow down and give them as much room as possible. On roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more, the law requires drivers to stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow when its red or amber lights are on.

 

[kokonut]

You're from the northwest, and went to Idaho for school. You know this as well as me.

In whiteouts you can always drive slowly and ACTUALLY notice you're at an intersection. You also know to stop. This is the responsibility of the people who hold a drivers license.

If you did not know if you're passing an intersection - It's completely your fault.
1.) You either drove too fast, or shouldn't be driving.
2.) Look at #1.

So, even that, the cities aren't responsible.

On a side note. I've seen a lot of that stuff in Colorado - and I've NEVER had a problem.

*Edit* Kokonut, I like your posts at times. I see where you're coming from but this one just disappoints me, fyi.

I didn't say whiteout conditions but snowy. I've had a similar experience with stop sign at an intersection that was obscured with a brushy tree I didn't realize I was coming up on an intersection until to late. Many have died at intersections because pranksters stole stop signs as souvinirs. How would they know there's an intersection ahead? That's why you have plenty of time to stop seeing lights ahead of you. If not that, then a stop sign.

 

[Jiro]

Point number 1: Snow made the traffic light useless.

hence - stop at intersection as instructed in Driver Manual Book and traffic law.

Point number 2: No driver could possibly have spotted a red light in time. and it'd be even worse with the green color since it would have been difficult to discern it at speed, especially during the daytime.

hence - stop at intersection as instructed in Driver Manual Book and traffic law

Point number 3: Might as well put stop signs at every intersection each winter since drivers wouldn't see the light at all or even noticed the traffice light hanging over in the middle of the intersection before it was too late.

hence - stop at intersection as instructed in Driver Manual Book and traffic law.

You'd think it be easy to spot an intersection when everything is basically a white out?

as URGENTLY recommended by officials in tv - PLEASE STAY HOME in case of bad weather

 

[Banjo]

Who makes such an argument has no business driving on the road.

 

[Jiro]

I didn't say whiteout conditions but snowy. I've had a similar experience with stop sign at an intersection that was obscured with a brushy tree I didn't realize I was coming up on an intersection until to late. Many have died at intersections because pranksters stole stop signs as souvinirs. How would they know there's an intersection ahead? That's why you have plenty of time to stop seeing lights ahead of you. If not that, then a stop sign.

It's shocking that you rely on traffic device to dictate your driving... not your common sense. Even in GOOD weather with WORKING traffic signal, I still exercise with caution and common sense because of distracted/drunk drivers.

Perhaps you should let somebody drive for you

 

[kokonut]

Might want to tell that to the people who died at intersections when a stop sign was missing. That idea can be extended just as well to LED stoplights that get covered with snow.

 

[Jiro]

Might want to tell that to the people who died at intersections when a stop sign was missing. That idea can be extended just as well to LED stoplights that get covered with snow.

might want to tell them that they shouldn't be driving