Whoops?  Where’d the Yellow light go?

When we boogie up to an intersection with a traffic light, its always nice to know that a Yellow light will briefly advise us that our “Green Go” mode is about to transition to “Red, all Stop”.  Trouble is, that Yellow light can sometimes turn Red pretty quickly, leaving our right foot in a bit of a quandary.  So what’s a right foot to do?

The laws for Red and Green lights seem pretty straight forward.  Green means “Good to Go” and Red means “No.”  Not really a problem.  But the Yellow?  Not quite so simple.

A quick review of the New York State Traffic Law suggests that the “Yellow” light is kinda’ in a “Grey” area.  I quote it as follows:

1. “Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular yellow signal may enter the intersection; however, said traffic is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.”

Hmm!  Only a lawyer could – well anyway.

Okay, so we can enter the intersection on Yellow, but we’re on notice that pretty quickly we shouldn’t, but if the light goes to Red before or while we’re in the intersection, we’ve been bad little boys and girls — maybe.  What could be simpler than that?

So should we jam on the brakes, simply maintain our speed, or flatten the Go Pedal so we get through before the little sucker turns Red, and “blinking” red lights zero in behind us?  The “light”ning quick decision we may have to make can be a bit of a challenge.  For our newer drivers it can really take some getting used to.

While we’re asking questions, is there any regulation as to how long that Yellow puppy stays lit before succumbing to its Red successor?  Or is that simply at the discretion of some shadowy bureaucrat who’s never even seen the intersection?  Can anyone help me with that one?

Okay, we’re making “light” of a serious problem, so let’s get serious and Driverthink about that “Yellow Light” – or more importantly, about the intersection we’re zeroing in on. 

Regardless of what color the light is, we want to be checking the intersection itself, as we come up on it.  Is traffic slow or moving more quickly?  Is it moving through the intersection smoothly, or is the intersection already jammed up?

What about the traffic on the cross street.  Are cars lined up, revving their engines, ready to “pop the clutch” on Green, or are they comfortably awaiting their turn?  Are there any cars there at all?  If not, is some unseen hazard going to come screaming through the intersection, oblivious to any signals at all?

Is there any chance of a Hidden Road Hazard?  Is there an Eighteen Wheeler sitting there, ready to make a left turn?  Is he hiding from view, some Kamikaze that’s going to do something crazy to impact not only our car but perhaps our entire future?

Are we beginning to see the “light” here?  Most of what we want to do on the yellow, should have already been sorted out on the green.  It makes life a whole lot easier – and safer.

So now we’re buzzing along at sixty and, “bingo” – yellow light.  Do we stop, go or go-go?

Well, we’ve already checked the intersection.  The next thing we want to check is the Rearview.  What’s behind us?  We’ll probably already know because we’re Driverthink drivers, but it does matter.  If we stop short, is that Tailgater going to cream us or does our back window buddy have plenty of space to safely stop with us?   

If we go, are we clear through the intersection?  Is a hidden hazard going to jump out in front of us?  Keep in mind, if we can’t see him, he can’t see us either.

And by the way, how far are we from the intersection?  How much space to we have to stop safely?

Let’s summarize how Driverthink deals with the Yellow Light.

• First, size up the intersection before you get to it, no matter the color of the signal.   Then when the Yellow shines,
• Check the Rearview.
• If you can safely stop, do so.
• If you can’t safely and smoothly stop, and if there are no hazards in the intersection, proceed on through at your chosen speed.
• If there are problems ahead of, and behind you, choose the option with the least risk.
• Do what you have to do – but do it as safely as you can.

I’d rather deal with a Traffic Judge than a Pallbearer!  Dealing with the Yellow light isn’t about what’s legal or not.  It’s not about getting or not getting a ticket.

The Yellow signal is about staying alive!

Please Add your COMMENTS BELOW.  What do You Think?

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