Energy-efficient traffic lights can't melt snow

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 | 4:35 p.m. CST; updated 4:58 p.m. CST, Tuesday, December 15, 2009

MILWAUKEE — Cities around the country that have installed energy-efficient traffic lights are discovering a hazardous downside: The bulbs don't burn hot enough to melt snow and can become crusted over in a storm — a problem blamed for dozens of accidents and at least one death.

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