Of the things Ive learned from asking this question is that people like to argue for the sake of arguing. Im sure each signal state machine is set as a function of the speed limit as input. then it just knows how long to stay yellow and when to switch to red. Most likely with a buffer to take into account various conditions.

thanks. Im going to just pay the fine but thought Id try and get a lil conversation going and Ive learned some things

Thanks and I agree with this. I am a software engineer and I figured that both the lights are set in such a way that for the speed limit at that particular cross street, the light and its timing algorithm are set so that if I was going the speed limit, i would have enough time. But, factors such as it was raining, dark, and the timing may be good on paper but for me to slam on the breaks sometimes that can be just as dangerous.

Also, wouldnt the camera also have similiar if not more sensitive software/sensors that had i entered when it was red, it would have snapped a pic? meh.. ill just pay it, I was just trying to get some conversations and basically its what I thought.