Some US cities have begun rewarding careful drivers with fewer red lights

Some U.S. cities have introduced a new traffic management strategy aimed at reducing speeding and improving road safety by rewarding cautious drivers with fewer red lights. The initiative, known as "rest in red," involves traffic signals that remain red unless a vehicle approaching at or below the speed limit triggers them to turn green. This method has been credited with significantly lowering crash rates in areas such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon. In Albuquerque, officials faced persistent challenges in curbing high-speed crashes along Lead and Coal avenues, two parallel one-way streets. Traditional enforcement methods, such as fines for speeding, proved ineffective. Instead, the city adopted a novel twist on the "rest in red" concept by integrating speed sensors that allow vehicles traveling within the legal limit to receive a green light sooner than those exceeding the speed limit. According to Jennifer Turner, Albuquerque’s director of municipal development, this approach has led to a noticeable decline in accidents and injuries along the corridor. Residents like Isaac Romero, who live along the affected roads, have observed a marked improvement in the area since the implementation of the new system. Prior to the changes, he often woke up to the sounds of drivers trying to race each other or beat the traffic lights. He witnessed several incidents involving collisions and even a car that crashed into a tree, shaking his home. Now, he notes that the number of reckless drivers has decreased substantially. Portland has similarly embraced the "rest in red" model, applying it during late-night hours on Southeast Powell Boulevard, a route with a history of severe accidents. Peter Koonce, who oversees signal systems for the city, described the measure as a "virtual speed bump." Early data shows that the average speed at the first tested intersection dropped from 39 mph to 30 mph, aligning with the posted speed limit. Researchers from Oregon State University were involved in selecting the vehicle detection system used in Portland, and they are currently evaluating its effectiveness. David Hurwitz, a professor of transportation engineering leading the study, emphasized that while initial outcomes appear positive, more research is necessary to confirm the long-term benefits and to identify any unforeseen issues. He expressed concerns that increased speed compliance might inadvertently result in more instances of drivers running red lights or other adverse effects. Jay Beeber, chief government affairs and policy officer for the National Motorists Association, voiced skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the "rest in red" approach. While acknowledging its potential in specific contexts, he argued that changing driver behavior requires comprehensive public awareness campaigns. He questioned whether drivers would truly adjust their speeds based solely on the likelihood of encountering a red light, suggesting that frustration rather than behavioral change might be the outcome. Albuquerque has complemented its "rest in red" initiative with the installation of speed cameras, enhancing the overall impact of the strategy. Other cities, such as Boulder, Colorado, and Long Beach, California, have experimented with similar measures, using the threat of additional red lights to encourage slower driving. Rebecca Sanders, a national safety practice leader at Fehr & Peer, a transportation consulting firm, highlighted the growing interest in these innovative approaches among urban planners and policymakers seeking to enhance road safety without relying heavily on punitive measures.