RANT: Red Means Stop

The views expressed in this rant are those of the author and do not purport or reflect the opinions of Raleigh Magazine. 

Stop running red lights. Please. Before it gets any worse. … It seems during the dark days of the pandemic—with fewer people on the road—everyone got more gutsy. Now, it’s as if it’s the rule rather than the exception to run a red light—like it doesn’t mean stop anymore, but, instead, HURRY UP! YOU CAN MAKE IT!

You see, when you run a red light, you aren’t just “running a red light.” You’re flying through that light at a high speed. Just think of a speeding projectile colliding with a slow moving or stationary object. Impact is quite forceful. I seem to remember a formula from high school physics—force equals mass times acceleration. Do you?

It’s no wonder red light cameras have been installed at many busy intersections. Twenty years ago or less, people could wait. If you’re in that much of a hurry, I’m sorry. What’s the rush? Is your boss such a jerk that you’re worried about being late to work? Is the day care or the ABC store getting ready to close? Think how much more time you’ll spend at that intersection after the crash. And in the hospital recovering—if you survive. Think, think, think—and just press the brake pedal. It’s the one to the left of the accelerator.

I’m waiting for the day when I witness a huge crash because someone ran a red light that I just slowed down for and stopped. I see it happening in my mind. I hear the sound of metal on metal. I smell the burn of tire tracks. I see blood on the pavement. I feel tears dripping down my cheeks. I beg of you, just wait for the light to turn green.

It’s as if drivers think by hurrying through the already red light, it will somehow not matter that other drivers have a green light. I now find myself waiting a few moments before proceeding through an intersection in case some crazy lawless lunatic with no regard for their fellow humans comes barreling through. It’s not like you’re going to save that much time. You’ll probably get stopped at the next intersection anyway. 

Instead, chill out and enjoy your time behind the wheel. Listen to some music or a podcast. Talk to your kids. Practice conjugating irregular Latin verbs. Just stay off your phone. But, that’s another rant.

—A friend who cares

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