Attach timers to green lights

I have a proposal for those pesky, privacy-invading stop-light cameras. Could the state install timers, similar to the ones on many cross-walks?

Often, as we pull into the middle of the intersection, with the light clearly green before us, we are forced to stop because of traffic gathering in front of us. Has this ever happened to you? If there were timers attached to the green lights, or if the lights could perhaps blink when down to the last 10 seconds, then drivers could discern whether the traffic in front of them was “thawed” enough to move forward. This seems only fair, and it would actually save people from ripping through the signal when they notice it suddenly turn yellow, and they are still in the middle of the intersection.

Fellow readers, your thoughts?

Kathleen Reed

Edmonds