As bad as 4 wheelers are, most seem to accept the fact that heavy trucks go through red lights. Every deal is different. Number of lanes, cars, conditions, etc. Fortunately, you are pretty darn big, and can be seen. The worst problem is that "oh ####" moment where some idiot that is right at the line locks up the brakes when you are preparing to run the light. Saw a few of those on you tube. Only got me once and i got in the turn lane to miss. Most divided 4 lanes that are 55 reduce to 45 near a light around here.
Here’s the problem. The yellow time might be 4 seconds theoretically, but you’re not stopping 80,000 lbs of truck from 55 in 4 seconds. Thus, the OP’s question.
And usually when that goes to solid, the traffic light turns yellow. This is much better when the cross walk light has a digital timer.
Echoing what most have said, I always approach a light withing city limits as if it's about to turn amber. Slowing to a speed where I have the ability to stop if needed, but I always eyeball it and always have what I consider the be the "point of no return" once I hit that spot coming up to the light and it's still green, I hit the gas and roll on through. Now, where I've seen folks run into a pucker moment, is on the roads where they've put a light in a stretch of road where you're running 65 mph or so. You can only slow down so much approaching the light, but even then, I use the same principal I do when running through town.
You've got to identify if it's a stale green and it's going to change any second you get there. There are some tips you can use that have really helped me. If you're lucky you have a crosswalk on all 4 sides of the intersection. Usually they will have a somewhat modern system installed so the kids will know when to cross. Look for their signal and count the number of flashes it flashes. It will normally flash 12 WALKS before it turns solid. You might get the real lucky one and have the numbers count down. Either was that's the best way to be warned.
Yep, if the green has been green for a while, odds are good it will change so slow down even if there is no cross traffic lined up at all as in this case. Observe the tractor trailer skid marks leading up to the intersection, this is a red light camera trap that nets the city millions of dollars a year.
