Deputies to increase patrols at busy junction to stop traffic violations
Deputies will be stepping up their presence at Bretzville Junction in the morning and afternoon to deter drivers from running the traffic light there.
The department has received several complaints about vehicles running the light at the intersection of State Road 162 and State Road 64 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The department will increase patrols there during those times to reduce traffic violations and help prevent crashes.
Good idea.
But how about all of the people who think the speed limit through the Bretzville area is 40-45 (it’s 55, people, except along Cedar Crest School and only when the warning light is flashing), the people who think they have to slow down to 40 when driving past Cedar Crest School when it is NOT IN SESSION (nights and weekends), and especially – those who THINK THEY HAVE TO STOP OR SLOW TO A CRAWL TO GO THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT???
Well, there’s several things to consider today but remember, it’s a speed LIMIT – meaning not to exceed – rather than a mandatory speed people must drive at. That said, driving more than 5mph under the limit is no guarantee – slower isn’t necessarily safer and in some cases is worse. In general, whatever the flow of traffic is doing is the speed to most safely move at, and there isn’t much to do about it. On slowing through higher-speed intersections on a green, it’s not uncommon if not actually a recommended practice for good reasons, to cover the brake when approaching and passing through which, short of braking, will result in some natural slowing a bit when off the throttle. Slower drivers are simply an inconvenience or pet peeve for some that they just need to accept and tolerate as the norm.
Yes, it is a speed LIMIT, agreed. I never said otherwise.
Let’s take this example: Someone is driving a semi south on SR 162 at 50 MPH, passing Cedar Crest School. The 40 MPH warning light is not on so he is not speeding. He is not familiar with Bretzville Junction but sees the “Signal Ahead” sign and slows to 45 as he rounds the turn before the light since he cannot see whether the light is red or green. The light is green, and a car in front of him, traveling south on 162, suddenly slows almost to a stop even though the light is green and there is nothing blocking the intersection, no hazards. The driver of the semi must then slam on his brakes in an attempt to avoid hitting the nimrod who thinks GREEN means STOP. A very serious accident could result with serious injuries if not a fatality or more, depending on how many people are in the car in front of the semi.
That was my point.
I fully agree on being PREPARED to stop. I disagree on STOPPING at a green light IF the intersection is clear and safe to proceed.
And I likewise never indicated any such about STOPPING at a green. It’s a great example and agree 100 percent with it – merely a comment about proceeding through. That said, while I indeed have seen this happen, I find it very rare on a higher-speed one-lane road, and I drive a lot of local miles. I do see it more in town at slower speeds on local streets where people can’t decide if or where to turn, or are gauking at something, etc. Still, those who do it are either totally and habitually oblivious to the circumstances (no common sense, no situational awareness, etc) or OWI – neither of which was likely present or detected during their short, one-time driving test for a license – and therefore no amount of advisory or citation is likely to help or matter in most cases. We can only hope it does with a few. In this imperfect world these drivers and situations are why we must drive cautiously and defensively (not overly so or paranoid) with as little distraction as possible. The majority of accidents can/could be avoided by the OTHER, innocent driver if only they were paying better/proper attention than the offender – not tailgating, speeding, etc – and with some average common sense.