STOP! In the name of… common sense?

It seems, at least from my observations, that many people are unaware of the purpose of traffic signals in general, and red lights in particular.

A refresher, courtesy of the MTO’s Online Driver Handbook, is available here.

In a nutshell, a RED light means STOP!

It is not a message for the next vehicle, or the one after that; it means all traffic approaching a red light must stop. Must. Stop.

Yet time and time again I watch as at least one, and often two or three (or more) vehicles continue through the intersection on a red light. Some will claim, I’m sure, that the light was amber when they reached the intersection.

According to the Driver’s Handbook, “A yellow — or amber — light means the red light is about to appear. You must stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, go with caution.”

To my way of thinking, “go with caution” does not mean slamming your right foot to the floor when you see the light changing to amber, especially if you are a half-dozen car lengths back from the intersection.

The problem now becomes having a vehicle in the intersection that ought not be there and one that is accelerating and traveling at a higher rate of speed.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a problem if the other drivers – those now facing a green light – waited until the intersection was clear before proceeding, as the law requires. Still, they are facing a green light and green means go, so they do.

This does not mean that drivers facing a green light are at fault if the re involved in a collision with a driver who ignores a red light. Green means go; red means stop. The driver going through the red light is at fault.

Now, there are those who do not speed through a red light, but rather saunter through the intersection, often blissfully unaware that the light has changed. Sometimes these drivers are distracted – perhaps they are talking on cell phones, or maybe shuffling through papers on the seat beside them, or possibly they are just plain inattentive.

Whatever the reason, this poses a problem, too.

I’m guessing someone will suggest that “everyone has moments of inattention” or is occasionally distracted. I also suspect someone will ask me if I haven’t had a momentary lapse in attention, too.

Of course I have. That doesn’t make it right, but it can be a moment when things go horribly wrong.

As I have said before, driving is a very responsible activity. Drivers propel a 2000 kg conglomeration of steel and plastic along roadways with the ability to quickly reach speeds of over 100 km/h – twenty-seven metres per second.

Even a momentary lapse in attention can have severe consequences.

Ah, I can hear some people saying, “But Sam, the speed limit is only 50 km/h (or 60 km/h) around town.” True, but finding people that drive that s l o w l y is a rarity.

I will admit, I sometimes travel about 5 or 10 km/h over the speed limit. But, I have been passed by some drivers that, frankly, have made me feel as though I was standing still.

While were on the topic of speed – I’ve said it before, but it bears saying again: riding my back bumper will not make me go faster.

But I digress.

Running red – and amber – lights is dangerous, and puts yourself and other drivers, vehicle occupants and pedestrians at risk.

Red means stop. To me, that's just common sense.

Perhaps if more people recognized this, there might be fewer “accidents.”

But… that’s just my opinion.