this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2024
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[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Reality is so disappointing. Cops having control of traffic lights was so much more optimistic than them just abusing their sirens to get through them.

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

In many areas, at least in the U.S., emergency responders can definitely change traffic lights. I've personally been on both sides of it multiple times.

[–] Metype@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Yes they can!

There are many different ways it's done but one I find the coolest is a signaling light hooked into the siren of an emergency vehicle. Traffic lights can look for this signal from vehicles and, upon seeing it, heavily prioritize letting the lane it's in have a green.