In 2007, a member of my family was nearly killed by a driver who failed to yield on green turning left from Old Keene Mill Road onto Huntsman Boulevard. The driver then claimed to be on Government business at the time and with the help of a Government insurance company seemed to avoid much personal inconvenience despite having caused a terrible accident.
My loved one survived but has never been the same physically. Even with some reimbursement for hospital stays, nothing can replace healthy lung capacity or vertebrae or account for years of subtle after effects. When it comes to traffic accidents, there is no question prevention is the best cure. Traffic accidents ruin people’s lives every day.
Everyone who lives in West Springfield knows the Huntsman intersection is dangerous. Even worse is the intersection of Bauer/Greeley and Old Keene Mill. Even with warning signs and flashing lights, impatient drivers routinely tear through the red light at Bauer. Hard red lights – not even a hint of yellow. Nearby residents are at high risk having to navigate this intersection every day. The intersection needs cameras and 24/7 police presence. Unfortunately, there are many dangerous roads and intersections, and communities just do not have the money to police every one all the time.
So it is up to us to be careful. Great - what are the odds.
When I approach the Bauer signal, I try to wait to make sure all the cars have stopped before I move on my green light, for my sake and others. It makes me angry to see drivers speed through the red light. I do honk at these drivers, not only because it infuriates me that they are selfish and careless with other people’s safety but also because I hope they will wake up and think twice the next time. Yes, someone saw that. Yes, people care. Yes, you are accountable. I’ve seen the consequence of your careless attitude, and it’s devastating.
On the other hand, when do I hear someone honk at me? Not for running a red light. No, they honk at me for being careful. Okay, so maybe I’m going to wait a few extra seconds for that next batch of cars to drive by before I make my left turn on green. Why? Because my loved one was nearly killed by someone making a careless left turn. When I’m turning right, I stop first to make sure the coast is clear before I move. Why? Because my loved one was almost killed by a careless driver.
Don’t honk at me for being cautious. Think about what you’re doing. A horn is negative reinforcement. If you honk at someone and that person is inclined to be intimidated, then next time they approach a signal they are going to think, “Oh, I have to rush and take a chance so that person behind me won’t honk at me.” And then they might kill someone.
Relax. Take a breath. Say a prayer. Think about how thankful you are for all your limbs and your lungs and your family. Before you know it, that person in front of you will have moved and you can be on your way. By being calm and cautious, you could save someone’s life. What if it were your loved one in the middle of the intersection when a person runs a red light? If the light is yellow, STOP. If the light is red, STOP. It’s only a couple minutes.
Running red lights is a crime. If you must honk at someone, honk at the person who just ran a red light. If you catch me running a red light, yammering on my cell phone, weaving in and out, cutting you off, then fine, go ahead and honk at me. But don’t honk at me for being cautious.
Show your appreciation for people who care more about your life than their own need to get somewhere. Show them some patience.