EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 If you\u2019ve ever felt like a yellow light in El Paso changes too fast or a red light lasts forever, city officials say there\u2019s a reason \u2014 and it\u2019s tied to how traffic is managed across the entire road network.<\/p>\n
Randy Garcia, the city\u2019s director of streets and maintenance, said traffic lights are timed using a citywide synchronization system that prioritizes major roads that carry the most vehicles. As a result, busier streets \u2014 including routes leading to I-10 \u2014 are typically given more green time, while drivers on side streets may wait longer.<\/p>\n
Garcia said the system is designed to move traffic efficiently when drivers follow posted speeds. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as you’re driving the speed limit, generally during normal traffic hours that should get you through the corridor as fast as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The city also emphasized that yellow lights are not intended to help drivers \u201cbeat the red.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city also pointed to the white stop lines at intersections as part of how signals operate. Garcia said drivers may notice equipment mounted above intersections that helps detect vehicles. \u201cSo if you ever look up, you’ll see a little camera that’s not a camera recording you,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s actually detecting your car coming up, and those cameras create little boxes within the white lines as you pull to the intersection to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials said signal timing is reviewed every few years and can be adjusted for construction or major events.<\/p>\n
If a traffic signal appears to not be working properly, residents can report it through 3-1-1<\/a>. City officials urge drivers to be patient and drive safely.<\/p>\n If you have a topic you would like to see featured in the “What’s Driving You Crazy?” segment, send an email to mamhernandez@sbgtv.com.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: What’s Driving You Crazy: Construction continuing to frustrate drivers in East El Paso<\/a><\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: What’s Driving You Crazy: Caution at railroad crossings<\/a><\/p>\n