Speed Triggered Stoplights

A sign notifies drivers that stoplights are set for a specific speed limit as part of the "rest on red" signal program in Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.

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Some US cities have begun rewarding careful drivers with fewer red lights

Some US cities have begun rewarding careful drivers with fewer red lights

Two cities have found a relatively novel way to reduce high-speed crashes by rewarding law-abiding drivers rather than just punishing the lead-footed ones. Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon, are using a strategy where traffic signals default to red until a vehicle approaches. If drivers stay at or below the speed limit, they get an earlier green light. Officials credit this approach with a dramatic drop in crashes and injuries. While some experts express concerns about driver behavior and potential frustrations, the strategy seems effective. Despite its apparent success, few other U.S. cities have embraced the approach thus far.