Red light

I used to think those signs the city spent a lot of money on was just a huge waste. You’ve seen them I’m sure “Red Means Stop”. One of two things has happened; we have forgotten that rule of driving or we can’t read. Okay, three things, we as a society, could be going color blind. Or four, some just don’t care anymore.

On more occasions than I can count, I’ve seen cars gun the engine to get through a red light that has changed. Not “gunning” a yellow light now, but deliberately breaking the law and going through a red. While in my car I spotted the yellow, came to a stop, and watched as others blew by me through the red.

I listen to people complain that the police are picking on them for a traffic violation and I often wonder what the “Nascar driver want-a-be” would think if he T-boned the vehicle coming through the green light.

But motor vehicle drivers are not the only ones. Bike lanes in Fargo have been set up on a number of major streets. These are specifically designated for bicycle traffic. But just because you’re in your own lane, doesn’t give the rider the right to blow though a red light. I’ve seen several near collisions between cars and people riding bikes. Drivers can be distracted by numerous things, including texting (against the law) phone calls, loud kids, radio, lighting a cigarette or shoving a breakfast sandwich down their gullet. If I was a betting man on the outcome of a 3,000 pound car colliding with a person on a bike …I would bet on the car every time.

By the way, if you are on a bike and roll through red light.. If an officer spots you…you’ve got yourself a ticket. Bike riders must obey the same traffic rules as motorized vehicles. And I’ve seen it happen. On the corner of 30th Ave S and 20th St in Moorhead there is a four was stop. A bike made a left hand turn without stopping …right in front of one of Moorhead’s finest. He got a ticket!

This type of thing will continue on until someone gets hurt. It always does.

Pedestrians can also be guilty. Crossing on a red and once again I ask “Pedestrian or a 3000 lb. car, who’s going to “win” that one? “

Going through a red light happens! But it just doesn’t seem like anyone cares anymore. “Well, if I’m hit, it’s going to be the cars fault.” Really!!! I’ve heard that line! Whatever happened to the term looking out for each other?

One is only begging to have driving tests, both written and behind the wheel, every time your license comes up for renewal. I have a very dear friend who moved out of state with her husband and had to take the driving test in her new state of residence. She failed! She’s going to have to take the test again next week. Red Means Stop!

Just a quick side note about a very dear relative that died last week. My Uncle Harley was 87 years young. He was an avid bowler, took Tai Chi classes and was having a wonderful life with four great kids and a bunch of grandchildren. His next door neighbor, who raised doves, was understandably stunned by the news. As part of their long time friendship, he offered 87 of his doves for release at his burial site. One for each year of his life. He never released that many before at one time and didn’t care if they all didn’t return home. I never found out how many of these “homing” birds returned. I wish I could have been in Seattle so I could have witnessed it in person.

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