Dozens of accidents blamed on new energy efficient traffic lights; non-melting of snow and or ice

                   (AP Photo/Oswego, IL Police)

New energy efficient traffic lights have been installed in several states across the country, helping cities save thousands of dollars this year, but the lights have a major drawback when it comes to wintry weather.

The bulbs do not burn hot enough to melt snow and  or ice and can become crusted over during a winter storm.  When this happens, drivers can no longer tell if a light is green, red or yellow.

This has lead to dozens of accidents and at least one death across the country.   Authorities in Illinois said during a storm in April of this year, 34-year-old Lisa Richter saw that she had a green light and began turning her car to the left but a driver coming from the opposite direction did not realize that the traffic light was obscured by snow and crashed into Lisa's vehicle, which resulted in her death.

Many cities that do have the new LED traffic lights have already found out the dangerous problem due to the winter storm that blew through the Midwest and Great Lakes, two weeks ago.

LED traffic lights use 90% less energy than the old incandescent lights, and can last for years oppose to the old incandescent lights, which have to be changed every 12 to 18 months.

Wisconsin, which has put LED bulbs at hundreds of intersections, projects they will save about $750,000 this year.  In Minnesota, where authorities have upgraded hundreds of traffic lights to LEDs, the Transportation Department occasionally gets reports of an obstructed lights. But by the time a highway crew arrives, the wind has often knocked off the snow and ice according to traffic systems specialist, Jerry Kotzenmacher.

Several states are testing possible solutions, including installing weather shields, adding heating elements or coating the lights with water-repellent substances.

(AP Photo/WLUK-TV Green Bay) 

Sources: AP News, NPR, WKOW

 Previous Weather Information: