Should the driver make a run for it at an intersection with a yellow light?

[Pindle]

Homework Statement

A person driving her car at 50km/h approaches an intersection just as the traffic light turns yellow. She knows that the yellow light lasts only 2s before turning red, and she is 30m away from the near side of the intersection. Should she try to stop, or should she make a run for it? The intersection is 12m wide, and her car's max. deceleration is -6m/s^2. Also her car takes 7s to accelerate from 50km/h to 70km/h. Ignore the length of the car and her reaction time.

Homework Equations

I don't know.

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't know. Please help.

 

[mikelepore]

First, how much is the acceleration, when we say: if you hit the gas pedal in that car, you can accelerate from 50 to 70 km/h in 7 seconds?

You approach an intersection with a given initial velocity, and you have to cover a given distance, with a certain amount of acceleration. Will 2 seconds be enough time? Look for a formula that includes those variables.

 

[tomcue]

Based on the given information, it would be safer for the driver to stop at the yellow light rather than trying to make a run for it. This is because the yellow light only lasts for 2 seconds and the car is 30m away from the intersection, which may not be enough time and distance for the car to safely accelerate to 70km/h and cross the intersection. Additionally, the car's maximum deceleration is -6m/s^2, which may not be enough to stop the car in time before reaching the intersection. It would be better to err on the side of caution and stop at the yellow light to avoid any potential accidents.