Traffic Light Colors

I have red-green color blindness and have difficulty seeing traffic lights under certain conditions. In bright sunlight, red lights look dim and fail to stand out against the background of sky, trees, and buildings. At night, green lights look white, and become nearly indistinguishable from the street lights. Consequently, I live in Manhattan and avoid driving in bright light and at night.

What is the rationale behind choosing colors that cause problems for 5% of men and 1% of women? This seems to be an example of poor information design, considering the severe consequences of an error. Do you have recommendations for an alternative set of colors?