Lexington Officials Install Double Red Lights At Some Intersections

Save

Posted: 6:46 PM Jan 29, 2008
Last Updated: 7:02 PM Jan 29, 2008

24 comments

A | A | A

You may have noticed some of the traffic signals in Lexington look a little different than they used to.

Signals at some of the city's busiest intersections now have two red lights, instead of just one.

The dual red lights have been strategically placed at intersections that typically see a lot of red light running and accidents.

Lexington officials say they hope the new lights get the attention of drivers.

Changing the lights costs around $150 each.

The dual red lights are now at 8 intersections in Lexington. Officials say they plan to install them at 7 more intersections in the near future.

The city has partnered with the University of Kentucky to study the effectiveness of the new dual red lights. But it's still too early to know if they are useful or not.

More Stories
Teen dies after horse accident

Water skier killed on Williamstown Lake

Free parking for Lexington's Fourth of July Festival

Sarah Palin resigns as Alaska Governor

Police say road rage may have lead to fiery crash that killed Kentucky family

Motorcycle rider killed when hit by car

Police release surveillance video of wanted shoplifter

One killed in boating accident

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jethro Location: Rat Cheer on Feb 1, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Dean in Floyd Co. The fine for running a red light plus the court costs is a lot more than $70.00. This sounds like it might be a scam. Contact the Fayette County attorneys office to verify the validity. If it is a scam, follow their advice and try to prosecute whoever sent it. Since it was done through the mail, if it turns out to be a scam, it is a federal offence.

Posted by: Dean Location: Floyd County on Feb 1, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Just for your information. an acquaintance of mine just received an interesting piece of mail a few days ago with a Lexington address. It seems that he ran a red light on Richmond Road and received a ticket in the mail for being in such a hurry. I think his indiscretion cost him $70.00. So remember whenever you think your are alone and will not get caught, someone is watching you.

Posted by: Wow Location: RIchmond on Feb 1, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I attended college for 2years in lex. I realized quickly that as many as 6 cars go on yellow and if 3 dont go on red the one the stops gets honked or the finger. Also ya better not sit at a green light very long or same scenario. DIdnt bother me really unless the 3 blocked the intersection in front of me when my light was green. Most the wrecks I saw where from people changing lanes and hitting a car beside them.

Posted by: SR Location: Lexington on Feb 1, 2008 at 09:37 AM
WOW! Now that we have dual red-lights, I am a better person as well as a better driver. That was so worth the $150 to spend for each light. I now wake up with pride and can't wait to get into the car and go for a drive. Heck, my self esteem is higher than ever :-) Thanks Lexington!

Posted by: Speedy Gonzales on Jan 31, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Oh no senior, eest a double red light. I must now go faster to beat the light! arriva arriva

Posted by: Stevie Wonder on Jan 31, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Yeah, like a double red light is going to make a difference for me...LOL!

Posted by: East Ky Mom Location: Eastern Ky. on Jan 31, 2008 at 08:32 AM
I agree with the public idea! Driving is a privledge not a right! There are laws to protect us when we drive! I say put the cameras out and catch the idiots that run the lights, speed and cause accidents!! I have a cell phone and I say BAN cell phone usage while driving! If the cameras are there then the tickets will be wrote and it will generate income!! Duh? What a concept!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Jan 30, 2008 at 11:58 PM
WHAT A WASTE!!!! This money would be better spent on the schools.. or if the concern is roads...why don't we fix more of the potholes instead?

Posted by: Pedro Location: Vote For Me on Jan 30, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Being an illegal alien myself I don't have to obey traffic signals anyway.

Posted by: laine Location: northern kentucy on Jan 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
if people don't stop for one red light what makes you think dual lights will do the trick - no way - people run red lights because they don't like stopping in their journey - same way with stop signs - give them a ticket or dual tickets maybe then they'll get the idea - red means stop -

Posted by: Erin Location: Lexington on Jan 30, 2008 at 01:04 PM
No matter how many lights you put up if they want to run the light they are going to. I agree with Astrid. Cameras will do a better job. Placing a camera in a public place is not an invasion of privacy. Reading your license plate number is not illegal so why should you feel uncomfortable if a camera reads it? Oh, and Jim. The speed limit is in place for our safety and leaving a whole car length of space between them and the car in front of them is what you are supposed to do. You do that to leave space to brake if they do such suddenly. Instead of riding someone so close your windows start to fog up from the exhaust.

Posted by: Note to Astrid on Jan 30, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Chris just doesn't like your way of thinking probably because he likes to run redlights. If you aren't guilty, why should red light cameras bother you Chris? Nobody is infringing on your rights. Driving is a privilege, not a right. And, streets, highways, interstates, rural roads are not private; they are public. Get over your "Big Brother is Watching" paranoia. If you have nothing to hide, the big bad red light cameras won't hurt you.

Posted by: Buddy Location: Lexington on Jan 30, 2008 at 01:00 PM
You could put out ten lights on each pole and the moron idiots driving will run them or sit thru them because they are DUM. Put camera's up and try to teach these Rum Dums a lesson. When I was learning to drive we were taught to pay attention to the road and what was driving around us, Not playing with the radio or phone or kids or yourself!!! You wonder why everyone around the country thinks people in Kentucky are stupid! Look around!! Thats why!!!!! Duh!!!!

Posted by: Casey Location: Lex on Jan 30, 2008 at 12:14 PM
AAAHHHHHHH, tax dollars hard at work.

Posted by: JIm on Jan 30, 2008 at 11:47 AM
People run redlights 'cause the idiots not paying attention in front of them don't move fast enough. Lexingtons traffic problems are cused by idiots that can't drive, they think they are the only people on the road. They are the same people that leave a whole car length between them and the person in front of them when they stop at a red light meanwhile there is another idiot blocking traffic because he can't get through the intersection.

Posted by: joe Location: lexington on Jan 30, 2008 at 11:44 AM
thats the dumbest thing I've heard of in a long time! Foolish to think that will change anything!

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jan 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Do you get a double fine if you run them?

Posted by: Chris Location: Avon on Jan 30, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Hi Astrid, This isn't the Netherlands, this is the United States and we don't "cotton" to Big Brother tactics like this. They pry into our lives any chance they can and people are fed up with it. Why did you move here to the USA? Maybe the Netherlands are a little bit oppresive to the common man or was it the high taxes/socialist attitude that seems to prevail in Europe. What ever the reason, I welcome you here but I will remind you that the Government is not the answer to all problems, there are still many who promote the idea that one is responsible for one's self and not to count on others for everything.

Posted by: David Location: georgetown on Jan 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
How about spending the time to install vehicle detectors or cameras to regulate flow, instead of sitting waiting for a green light to appear 4 minutes later? How many times have people tried to turn left from Reynolds Rd to Nicholasville Rd, only to find that N-ville is backed up from another red light. By the time N-ville Rd is clear, the left turn signal from Reynolds is red again, and another 2-3 minutes is wasted for the cycle to occur over again. This city has no traffic "flow" whatsoever, double red light will not fix that problem. Fix the flow, and I bet that red light running would drop dramaticall.

Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Jan 30, 2008 at 09:10 AM
You have got to be kidding me. With the way our local government runs things, having two stop lights will now double the time it takes for the lights to turn green. Think about it...they can't run anything right.

Posted by: Astrid on Jan 30, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Time for Red Light Cameras...but people here are too afraid its going to violate their "privacy." You are running lights or creeping past the line and it causes accidents...why not have the city make some money? I'm from the Netherlands and these cameras are EVERYWHERE, they also help control speeders in areas where cops don't go often. The boxes aren't always filled with cameras so no one really knows when you are going to get a ticket! Get the cameras, make some money, and stop the accidents!

Posted by: SR Location: Lexington on Jan 30, 2008 at 08:33 AM
This is absurd! When is the higher ups ever going to hold anyone responsible? I agree with you Jeb. Since there is such a problem with the budget, how about writing tickets for the red-light runners to pay for the $150 each extra red lights? Come on already .. how much more can the people be babied?

Posted by: Jeb on Jan 30, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Red light running has nothing to do with seeing or not seeing the light. Red light running is done because people are in a hurry, know the light is a long wait, or just think the law doesn't apply to them. If dual stoplights are the cure for red light runners, don't you think we need to install EXTRA BIG stop signs at intersections too? People ignore them and just roll right through without stopping. It's more a matter of education but more importantly, enforcement of the law. Hit 'em heavy in the pocket book and they'll get the point. If you break the law, you pay; quit band-aiding everything.

Posted by: Sydney Location: Lexington on Jan 29, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Hopefully this will limit the number of idiots who decide to run red lights in this town! It is a shame that you have to wait 5 seconds on green in Lexington before going through an intersection.

Posted by: Tired of going out of my way to get home Location: Lexington on Jan 29, 2008 at 11:41 PM
The dual red lights at intersections are great and I'm really happy that the city is looking out for our safety! With that said, how about putting in a traffic light at the intersection of Man O War and I-75?! We don't need dual lights--one will do. I find it utterly unbelievable that the exit to Hamburg doesn't have a traffic light. It's one of the busiest exits in Lexington and the ONLY Lexington exit that does not have a traffic light. The Mt. Vernon and London exits have traffic lights for crying out loud! Bring one of those dual lights out to exit 108!!

Posted by: John Location: Homes on Jan 29, 2008 at 11:05 PM
People make a choice to run red lights. Installing another red light isnt going to stop them. Would installing another green light stop people from sitting through lights? Doubt it. What a waste of our tax dollars.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Happy Hour Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Desktop Alert Download weather alerts to your computer desktop.

	Print Free Offers & Coupons From local restaurants, retail stores, & service businesses.

	Experts Got a question? Ask our Health Experts.

	WKYT Archives Looking for a video clip?

	Everyday Heroes Is someone you know a hero?

	Crime Find out how Ray Larson is stopping crime.

	Crimestoppers Help bring criminals to justice.