[3.0L]

I'm not referring to a whore house, I'm referring to traffic lights.

Our community recently added 2 new pedestrian traffic signals and I am amazed at how many drivers don't seem to know what flashing red lights mean. They blast on through as if it means nothing!

To be clear, flashing red lights mean STOP, then proceed when it is SAFE to do so.

And just today, city workers were very busy replacing huge water pipes in the street at the intersection of a traffic light. The traffic lights had been set to flashing red. The detour lanes were narrow and close to the workers, head deep in the holes in the street. And again, idiot drivers didn't stop before proceeding through the intersection! Morons!

WTF? Over.

[flipmeraz]

I figured most people knew the meaning of flashing red lights but I guess not. Are you in San Luis Obispo? They just added flashing red lights and people are pissed about it

[vreihen16]

.

[ezaircon4jc]

Probably has a lot to do with the dumbing-down of driver's ed. Things were better when the PE teacher taught DE in summer school. Maybe except for that time we got to drive a '72 Cutlass on West Rd in Whittier!

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by flipmeraz

I figured most people knew the meaning of flashing red lights but I guess not. Are you in San Luis Obispo? They just added flashing red lights and people are pissed about it

Yes. But to be fair, one-third of our population are college students.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

I'm not referring to a whore house, I'm referring to traffic lights.

Our community recently added 2 new pedestrian traffic signals and I am amazed at how many drivers don't seem to know what flashing red lights mean. They blast on through as if it means nothing!

To be clear, flashing red lights mean STOP, then proceed when it is SAFE to do so.

And just today, city workers were very busy replacing huge water pipes in the street at the intersection of a traffic light. The traffic lights had been set to flashing red. The detour lanes were narrow and close to the workers, head deep in the holes in the street. And again, idiot drivers didn't stop before proceeding through the intersection! Morons!

WTF? Over.

For me, this is another example of the general lack of enforcement of traffic laws in this country, a circumstance that has been building for quite some time. I wonder how many (thinking like a former Californian) $1,950 tickets it would take to shut this behavior down.

Growing up in California in the 60s, enforcement was everywhere. City streets, local and regional highways, interstate highways – you name it, cruisers were always around for the purpose of ensuring that drivers weren't getting out of line. Even if a cruiser wasn't right where you were at the moment, you could expect to find one around the next corner. As you might imagine, drivers behaved accordingly.

That doesn't mean people didn't get crazy, but it does mean that if they did so without planning ahead they were going to be ticketed and, quite possibly, have to explain their behavior to a judge who had already heard it all many years before. I've been to a few traffic courts, and they're not pretty.

What I've seen across this country in recent years is a remarkable lack of enforcement. That is, the people who can stop this behavior aren't out there. I put that down to jurisdictions no longer being able to afford to employ the numbers of officers necessary to keep the behavior of the crazies down to a dull roar. Cities, counties, and states are getting poorer, and the lack of enforcement on our streets and highways are one manifestation of the fact.

When people used to restraining themselves see others behaving very inappropriately and getting away with it here, there, and everywhere, things can begin to break down. Based upon what I've seen, that very much depends upon the nature of the people in a given region.

I now live in a major Midwestern metropolitan region, and the lack of craziness in driving here stands in stark contrast to what I experienced for so many years in major metro regions on the West Coast and in New England.

This might...no, this WILL sound strange...drivers here frequently give up the right-of-way to other drivers. This drives me crazy because unless they're giving you hand signals you can't really tell what's going on. I mean, really, people, just do what you're supposed to do! No, even in rush hour, they will offer you the opportunity to take their place. Who knew there were so many nice drivers on the roads.

[Tommy-G]

And here I thought this was a story of getting pulled over by Sedan_Clan

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dradernh

...
Growing up in California in the 60s, enforcement was everywhere. City streets, local and regional highways, interstate highways – you name it, cruisers were always around for the purpose of ensuring that drivers weren't getting out of line. Even if a cruiser wasn't right where you were at the moment, you could expect to find one around the next corner. As you might imagine, drivers behaved accordingly....

I started driving in 1972. To this day, I still peruse overpasses & on and off ramps to the freeway looking for the stealth LEOs. I also have a Valentine V1Gen2 for added protection.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I started driving in 1972. To this day, I still peruse overpasses & on and off ramps to the freeway looking for the stealth LEOs. I also have a Valentine V1Gen2 for added protection.

Yup, and every once in a while, you still find them hiding up there, don't you!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Yup, and every once in a while, you still find them hiding up there, don't you!

Yup! The 15 north at Rainbow seems to be a favorite spot.

[flipmeraz]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Yes. But to be fair, one-third of our population are college students.

Haven't been to SLO in a while. I'm in Paso. What streets did they add them on?

[catskillclimber]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Yes. But to be fair, one-third of our population are college students.

college isn't what it used to be.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by flipmeraz

Haven't been to SLO in a while. I'm in Paso. What streets did they add them on?

Broad St. at Woodbridge intersection and Foothill Blvd. at Ferrini Rd. intersection.

I'm sorry to say that it took a pedestrian and bicyclist fatality to cause the city to act.

[DocL]

After a hurricane the lights are all usually flashing red for a few days. It's complete chaos driving through any intersection because maybe 5% of the people know what it means. I tell my wife not to make any left turns because it's almost a 110% sure thing someone will t-bone the car.

[infinitekidM2C]

The drivers are getting worse.

I was at a stoplight to turn left. Just regular green/red on both sides. No turning signals. So it turns green. Opposite me some cars going straight most are going right since they are exiting a shopping center to the main street. I was taking a left, so naturally needed to wait until it was clear, or the yellow/red action. Opposite me was a driver who seemed a bit nervous taking a right turn. Like she was waiting for me a bit, but i maintained my wait since she had the green.

Then this asshat behind me in mustang honked a little bit, i'm like i'm not going to cause an accident because the lady started to take her right finally. THen later mustang boy says it was my turn and i should have went. I told him she had the right of way and he shakes his head saying "no."

[RickFLM4]

How can anyone possibly see flashing red lights when they are looking at their phone?

[Esteban]

Treat a flashing red light as you would a stop sign. It's not complicated. Sheesh!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

I'm not referring to a whore house, I'm referring to traffic lights.

Our community recently added 2 new pedestrian traffic signals and I am amazed at how many drivers don't seem to know what flashing red lights mean. They blast on through as if it means nothing!

To be clear, flashing red lights mean STOP, then proceed when it is SAFE to do so.

And just today, city workers were very busy replacing huge water pipes in the street at the intersection of a traffic light. The traffic lights had been set to flashing red. The detour lanes were narrow and close to the workers, head deep in the holes in the street. And again, idiot drivers didn't stop before proceeding through the intersection! Morons!

WTF? Over.

OMG, idiot drivers are the worst. Where do you live? I'm going to have to stay out of that state.

[floridaorange]

Would you rather be in a 3 hour traffic jam delay or 30 min rough commercial airplane turbulence?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

OMG, idiot drivers are the worst. Where do you live? I'm going to have to stay out of that state.

Must be all those college students. Late to a beer-pong game.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Must be all those college students. Late to a beer-pong game.

I was never a dumb-ass driver when I was in college...oh $hit, I was too.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Would you rather be in a 3 hour traffic jam delay or 30 min rough commercial airplane turbulence?

Turbulence unless its bad enough to cause chain reaction vomiting. If that's the case, I'll go with the traffic / road rage.