Why must so many folks run the red signal at the same intersection? Could Public works adjust the signal time? Duh . . . yes! Today, for the second time this week, I sat in traffic on Eastern in the left turn lane onto Pebble, patiently waiting the green arrow. I was four cars back from the intersection, the light turned green, but no one ahead of me moved. My guess as to why we weren't moving was confirmed when I saw several vehicles making their way, through what had to be red for them, across our path, turning left, northbound Eastern. Normally, this wouldn't bother me too much, but the aromas of the nearby In-N-Out Burger I was heading to filled my nose with temptation and anticipation; I was minutes away from sampling a few hot french fries taking food home to Carol & Cohen. I worried that this delay impede my anticipated arrival at the drive-up. Momentarily.
I made it through the intersection just as my light was turning yellow. Good, I didn't want to see cops in my rear view mirror and delay those incredible edibles that much longer. 
I thought of how in my cop days, I'd have bounced over that raised median, doing the black n white U-turn, chase down and stop at least the last car through, if not get lucky and stop the last two - it's doable, I've done it, it's just tricky. Although I wasn't in the habit of "ticket writing" for the sake of any quota we never had, some folks needed, at the very least, a delay in their trip and an opportunity to explain why they felt the need to run the red light. Those who argued with me, blatantly denied it, questioned my 20-20 vision and integrity, my mom's marital status when I was born, my status in the Nazi party, or how I got on here on earth, got a ticket. (I was hit by a driver running a red light once; which I made sure the offender knew before we parted.)
I thought of how in my cop days, I'd have bounced over that raised median, doing the black n white U-turn, chase down and stop at least the last car through, if not get lucky and stop the last two - it's doable, I've done it, it's just tricky. Although I wasn't in the habit of "ticket writing" for the sake of any quota we never had, some folks needed, at the very least, a delay in their trip and an opportunity to explain why they felt the need to run the red light. Those who argued with me, blatantly denied it, questioned my 20-20 vision and integrity, my mom's marital status when I was born, my status in the Nazi party, or how I got on here on earth, got a ticket. (I was hit by a driver running a red light once; which I made sure the offender knew before we parted.) It's amazing how food aromas can trip my hunger sensory gland (there has to be one), past memories and that just a four minute delay would give cause for little irritation.
3 comments:
You've never been very patient when you were hungry, so I pity the people who MADE you stop them to give them a ticket. I wish more people would get tickets for running red lights. I'd like to make some citizen arrests!
It's ironic that your post is about red light runners. Today while waiting to turn, a little old lady ran the light long after it turned red. She looked right at me as she blew across the intersection. I was nice though and waved to her as she missed the nose of my truck. (or maybe it was a salute)
It scares me when people run those red lights.
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