Flashing Red

Frost covered trees. 1/3/2021 dwm photo

An intersection close to home is controlled by stoplights.  It changes as usual, red - green - yellow to flash red overnight.

On weekday mornings, it controls traffic at 6.  Weekends, the lights flash red in all four directions until 8 on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

I've noticed some drivers don't understand the flashing red light or their reluctance to move means the coffee hasn't kicked in.

A flashing red means stop.  A flashing yellow means go slow and be ready to stop.  Downtown, the lights at Main and Verona Avenue start regulating traffic at 5:30 AM, before that cars on the busier Verona Avenue see yellow, while trucks and cars on Main Street see a flashing red.

On my morning run this weekend I approached the intersection where cars slowed to a stop, checked cross traffic and crossed.  Except one car.  It stopped.  The red light flashed in all directions, the driver didn't move.  A car behind it pulled into the adjacent lane.  I stood still and waved the driver across, but the car didn't move.

The driver wasn't texting.  Perhaps the driver was reviewing their mental grocery list or was worried about a loved one.  No one honked, there was no cursing.

When I came through the same intersection later the car was gone.  

We don't know the story of the man or woman behind the wheel in the car on our tail, in front of us, or stopped at a flashing red light.

Be kind and compassionate.  One of these days we might be the driver stopped by the flashing red light.