DesignRJC

I just finished reading this article on the New York Times called ‘Trolling for Trouble in the Red Light District’ which can be read here.  It was an interesting read about how ineffective red light cameras at intersections were.  At the same time, I have to agree with the article that these devices do not actually prevent accidents; whether it be running these red lights or making a right turn on red.  So if it is not here for our safety, then what it is, is to gain more revenue for the city, the state, etc.  After all, a red light camera is not intelligent, it cannot tell the different between a blatant red light traffic offender or an accidental one where a driver was caught and had to make a turn after the light turned red.  An example would be during heavy traffic congestion or an oncoming driver trying to beat the yellow light thus making the driver trying to turn miss their opportunity at green and turning on a red.

The problem is not more enforcement or to catch more traffic violators.  The problem is bad awareness in drivers.  The logic in driving is that ‘one has the right of way’ which can cause lots of problems.  Sure, the person going straight has the right of way but how often do you speed up because someone on the opposite side is making a left turn?  Or do you speed up instead of slowing down to let a driver make his or her right turn?  Education is key and people are driving without any awareness just knowing they have ‘the right of way’.  Instead, people should just be overall more aware of what is apparently going on, on the streets.  Surveying the road, checking traffic conditions and having some common sense of how another driver will react.

How dangerous is it really in making a right turn on red?  It is typically slow and it is more of a merge.  The problem is not making a right turn on red at all.  Simply it is just drivers not being aware.  If anything, the fault should be the oncoming driver because the driver making a right is usually slow.  They are trying to see oncoming traffic but could be blocked by parked cars.

Educating drivers more thoroughly would be better than enforcement, but of course, the government will not take action like this.  Education would be costly but enforcement would mean revenue.  So I will just give out some pointers:

1. Change your driving mentality; do away with ‘the right of way’ thinking.  Yes, you have the right of way but should you really take advantage and drive blindly?
2. Be courteous, we all share the roads.  If you are driving in the inside lane on the highway, don’t wait until the last minute to get out to the outside lane to exit.  That causes extreme slowdown and at times accidents because of sudden stops.
3. Know your geography.  Sure, have a GPS or printed out directions is a good thing but also do some research.  You got all these maps online, it will only take 5 minutes to go online to look at your route at least once.
4. Pay attention!  Traffic collisions can be avoided.  Hardly are any collisions caused because someone wants to hit something.  It is caused because you were not paying attention.
5. This last one is more wishful thinking:  Cops should be more lenient if drivers were better educated and actually feel bad for driving perceived ‘reckless’ thus being cited.  I don’t know about you, but I damn feel guilty around cops because I get the feeling they can pull me over and cite me for no apparent reason.  We need to take that mentality out.  After all, are they not here to serve and to protect.

That ends my suggestions for better driving and hopefully getting rid of the trolls on the streets.  Good luck and drive safe!