By Lindsey Doi

EUGENE, Ore. -- Many drivers speed up when they see yellow lights instead of slowing down, and that's why some residents say longer red clearance intervals are necessary.

"The transition I think would help to change it to where there's somewhat of a delay between green to red," said Joe Maurer of Eugene.

Though some intersections do have a transitional delay, many don't. That's prompting the Oregon Department of Transportation to start lengthening the red clearance intervals at all intersections in the region.

"Everything from the slope of the roadway to the amount of traffic in the intersection, what sort of movements there are in the intersection, how many turns, how many pedestrians, many factors go into determining the timing," said ODOT's Rick Little.

But some residents who have seen increased transition times in other parts of the country say it doesn't help.

"I still think people are gonna run red lights just as much anyway, so I'm not convinced it'll really make any difference," said Lee Rademacher of Eugene.

"I've been in Philadelphia for a couple years, where they do have the transition but the people there just start through when they see the yellows from the other direction," said Deb Strait & Casey Wierenga of Eugene.

Still, many say it couldn't hurt. The real issue they say, is educating drivers to be smarter behind the wheel.

"I think it would make a positive difference, but it's mainly whether or not you're a good driver, or whether or not the people on the road are good drivers that affects it more I think," said Megan Leslie of Eugene.

ODOT says the timing change will take place over the next three years. They expect to add at least one half to one full second to red lights at each of the 350 intersections in the region.