I've seen this happen as well, but the light is far too short - you can end up sitting through it two times before getting across the intersection.

I'm sympathetic to the right of pedestrians to be safe. Part of the problem in New Haven - and part of the reason I think people feel compelled to go through yellow->red lights is because 1. intersections aren't equipped with sensors, so people sit through lights while there is no opposing traffic and 2. the light intervals at many intersections are very short. It is incredibly frustrating to drive 15 blocks and sit through 15 lights, each of which turns red just as you approach it.

It isn't that New Haven drivers are especially reckless or desiring to break the laws, it's that the city has some of the worst traffic light engineering imaginable. Any driver who lives in the city is aware of it, and it makes life more dangerous for everyone.

Fred: I agree that NH has some terrible traffic light engineering, and that it makes for frustrating driving. I disagree with much of the rest of your comments, though.

First, the original complaint about this intersection was not about pedestrian safety, although that's crucial. And it was not about drivers running the light as they turn onto Whalley from West Rock Ave, which is the very short green cycle that you seem to be addressing. The complaint was about drivers zooming down the hill on Fountain and not stopping for the light as they merge onto Whalley. That light is green most of the time on Fountain. It turns red when someone has waited for a green arrow to turn left turn from Whalley onto West Rock.

More important, no one is ever "compelled" to run a light. I get frustrated too, but that's no excuse. And according to Police Chief Jim Lewis, New Haven drivers ARE especially reckless -- and he came here from Southern California!