Expect Red Light Runners

Red light runners. I have been looking for them for years. Looking every where. Last week I saw one, coming directly at me. I was ready. I wasn’t sure what was wrong at first but I saw movement, that was enough. I was on the brakes, staying out of the way.

The driver was not a hoon. They were not speeding or texting. They just didn’t see the lights. They drove straight past other drivers who had already stopped. Straight through a red light. Fortunately this Red Light Runner stopped several car lengths into the intersection then reversed back behind the line.

I am always expecting Red Light Runners. I have looked into thousands of intersections, always searching for them. This every day, every light habit caused me to brake last week. I didn’t know what was wrong at first but my eyes saw something moving where it shouldn’t. I was braking before I really knew why. That is the value of habit. You don’t need to think, it just happens.

Always be ready for red light runners

An important safe driving habit is always expecting bad stuff to happen on the road. This ‘expectation’ will help you stay safe. If you are always expecting, you are always ready.

The last Red Light Runner I avoided turned against a red arrow, directly across my path. I was braking before I really knew what was wrong. Then I saw him, coming along the turning lane, much to quickly to stop. He turned straight into my path. I had been travelling at almost sixty. I was already hard on the brakes, pulling up a couple of metres clear of him as he turned. I can still see the expression on his face. I don’t think he could believe I was stopping.

Learn to expect them

My habit avoided a really big crash that day. It saved myself, my family plus the other driver. I was so grateful that a great driver trainer on a Defensive Driving Course once taught me about ‘expecting’ red light runners.

Start looking for them today, build the habit and it can save you too. Look into every intersection, every time. Red light runners will come. If you are ready, you can avoid them.

Image: Red Traffic Light by Gavinwray@Flickr