Well, why not?
If the way is obviously clear in both directions, if it’s obviously safe to enter the intersection, make your turn and proceed. . . why not proceed?
Because of The Law.
It is (usually) illegal to make a left turn on red. Sometimes, a right turn, too.
But why is it illegal?
Because The Law assumes a very low standard of competence – and applies it generally. If you think about it, this least common denominatorism is another form of collectivism. The individual – his merits, his skill, his initiative and judgment – all irrelevant. You can literally be Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (or Danica Patrick), a superbly skilled and scrupulously conscientious driver whose actions were impeccably safe – and still you will receive a ticket – and all that goes with it, including the smear of “unsafe driving” – if you are caught ignoring a red light – ignoring The Law – and using your own eyes and skill and judgment instead. You are expected – required – to sit like one of Pavlov’s dogs, not merely awaiting the green signal but (and this is key) paying no attention whatsoever to the flow of traffic in the lanes you are hoping to cross. You are not encouraged to monitor the situation, to use your own eyes to see whether traffic’s coming.
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It's illegal to make U turns in the middle of the streets but I see people doing it everyday. I see drivers on their cell phones and driving in the rain without headlights.
ReplyDeleteIt's illegal to make U turns in the middle of the streets
ReplyDeleteIt is? Why did we have to pass a 3 point turn to get a license I wonder.
I admit to rolling the dice and have, at times turned thru a red light. If it is 3 AM and not a speck of traffic in sight, I am not sitting there.
ReplyDeleteOn another note previously mentioned, the whole illegal cell phone issue is a joke in Salisbury.
6:54 AM
ReplyDeleteI do too at times when it is safe to do so and I don't see a cop nearby.
Some intersections make you wait to turn left only to have another light at the median to cross the other side of highway. Usually they are timed to coincide with each other but once in awhile you get trapped.
I see no need to sit there thru another cycle when no one is coming.