Red Light hesitation

[vincer]

Last night I was sitting at a red light. When it finally turned green I hesitated before entering the intersection. I normally give it a second or two to make sure that cross traffic is actually going to stop, and this time I am extremely glad that I did. Some woman was heading toward the intersection and while I was waiting she never even slowed down, just blasted right through the light.
Pausing at a light is a habit that I have been trying to practice since I began driving a truck and with the area that I work, light runners are a normal occurance. I know that some like to jump the light because the jerk next to you is giving you the chance to embarrass him. Had I jumped this time I would have been a hood ornament, and an ugly one at that, on a compact car. I just thought that I would share what could have been a bad experience.

[Wildkat]

Glad you're okay... Man! I hate it when they do that!


We have an intersection a house down from us... The people who don't have the stop sign always stop... because the people who do... don't...

[kjohnson]

I know how that is. When i was younger and living out in the sticks with my parents, nobody even slowed down for the stop signs. it became habit to slow down and be prepared to stop in case ole joe farmer didn't

[webbcraft2150]

Red lights in Austin are just a suggestion for most drivers. I always give it the right, left, right look before moving thru the intersection.

My youngest daughter just took her driving test and got kudos from the instructor for her right, left, right check before moving.
I guess she did pay some attention to my instructions.

[Jerry]

1974. 2-way stop on my left and right. I entered the intersection and was hit by a truck running the stop sign on my left. Totaled the bike, it was bent backward and sideways, threw me in the ditch but other than some burns and a badly sprined left ankle I was OK. Was wearing safety gear, including heavy boots. Ruined the helmet, pants, jacket, and boots but they were worth every penny.

Ever since then I always check before entering an intersection, does not mater if I have the right-of-way or not. This includes starting from red lights. Only exception is if I can "buddy" through with another vehicle on my left or right, cuts down the risk of being hit.

[olebiker]

Must be that Tuesday is blow the red light day. I had one that I guess decided the light was too long and decided to blow it right in front of me. I just rode on shaking my head. Later when the cab that was beside me decided he wanted to be were I was I did come a bit unglued. This was at 120kms on the 401. It is just as well that he was not stopping I might have hurt myself.

[motoman]

Wasn't so fortunate myself.

This past Sat. was "shoot the gap"day for other party as I was in that gap and was looking at a front fender and wheel broadside, some how avoided the car...............but the ST and I went down at approx. 45mph.........................still hurt as I appently went 131 ft. after flipping in air a couple loops,(witness behind observed what happened.), and bike skidded 325ft. Fortunate to still be here. A bit of road rash on face, arms, knees, bruised hips and a dis-located shoulder. Still very sore, but healing well. Was on I-70 business loop here bout where GJP is located, for those that may be familiar with area, a four lane with a grassy medium, good open visibility. 40+ years of riding and first time hitting pavement..............very hard and damaging to say the least, even at those speeds!

[egsols]

Wow Motoman, that's scary. Glad to hear you're okay and healing well.

[DenyP]

I have had some of these expirances myself including 11 days in the Oakland Naval hospital in '70. Glad to hear you both made it through!

Deny

[olebiker]

Oh man sorry to hear about that. Damn cagers. I sure don't wanna go down anymore I hurt enough now. It sure takes longer to get over too. You sound like you are not in your 20's either. 40 years of riding to get pushed down by a car sucks. Take the pain meds and I hope you recover OK.

Carl