Red for danger (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Red for danger

12:21pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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Red is the new amber. And as amber was the new green that means drivers are shooting through traffic lights, roadworks signals and pedestrian crossings like they are not there.
In the good old days, when the amber popped up, motorists would slow down and prepare to stop as it says in the Highway Code.
Then they started to ignore the amber and drive through on it (because everyone was in a perceived rush needing to beat the traffic or out of sheer bloody-mindedness and the me me me I'm too important to be stopped by mere lights attitude?).
Now it's the red light's turn to be ignored. Drivers actually accelerated when the amber appeared in order to beat the red. But, of course, they didn't and now they don't even bother accelerating or braking and sail through at their usual speed, stop light or no stop light.
A good example happened this morning as I waited to walk across one road at a crossroads. The traffic streamed through from a minor road, the light turned amber and I prepared to nip across before the cars on the main road set off.
But, of course, there was a lorry driver who had put his foot down and zoomed through blocking my way. He was shouting at me to wait for the green man to show and I was shouting at him to stop at a red! This, I hope, was taken light-heartedly but where will it end?
In numerous collisions at traffic lights perhaps? Or in more frustration as other drivers are delayed? In more rear-end shunts as people don't expect the vehicle in front to stop? Undoubtedly all three.
We have drivers ignoring yellow boxes or queues at turns so they are left stranded in the middle of the carriageway, blocking people coming the other way. And even motorists driving round level crossing barriers because they don't want to be delayed.
I blame the selfish culture that has evolved in this country where we are all the most important people in the world and others should give way or not get in our way. You could blame the Tories and Maggie Thatcher ("there is no such thing as society") for the current ills but I bet this is just the latest manifestation of what is inside us all and drives not only our ambition but will-to-win, craving for fame, exploration, evolution and lots more.
That shouldn't be denied or stifled too much but should be tempered as the Victorians could do - exploiting the world for its resources and people but looking after others and being charitable at the same time. Kindness and benevolence is inside us humans too. Let's all try to nurture it - particularly when we're behind the wheel!