Traffic is extremely frustrating to drive through. Not only that, but driving has also become riskier. People weaving in and out of lanes and racing down the road. I have become extremely anxious when I drive around town that I have invested in a dash camera. Ever since I have installed my dash camera, I felt safer knowing that if anything happened, I would have video evidence of what happened. I dislike having to prepare myself for dangerous situations, but I don’t feel safe driving. 

I don’t seem to be the only one concerned that the roads are becoming more of a hazard. 

When you see a red light, we know that we stop until the light turns green. There is one exception though: right on red. Cars are allowed to turn right on a red light after they have stopped and seen it is clear to drive on. But is that something we should leave up to drivers to determine?

Washington, D. C’s City Council decided that drivers should not be able to make a decision like that. They approved a ban on right turns on red lights in 2022 and will take effect in 2025. There are other cities that have approved bans such as these.

Those that are against these bans think that policy makers want to make driving as frustrating as possible.

Jay Beeber, director of policy and research for the National Motorists Association, is quoted by the Associated Press saying, “What’s really behind this movement is part of the agenda to make driving as miserable as possible so people don’t drive so much.”

There are worries that banning the right on red will slow traffic. It will make the excruciating pain of 5 p.m. traffic that much worse. I know I do not want to get out of my class, start my car, and enter a backed-up lane. After a long day of learning or working, people only want to get home and relax. 

On the other side of the argument, we have an increase in accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Those against the policy have cited that the amount of people injured does not reason for a policy such as this. But those who think that no one should be harmed in this way. Any injury is too much. 

If you are hit by a car and only break a bone, you may be able to recover. But for some people it may cost them their careers and livelihoods. Not to mention the trauma they might suffer from that they might hesitate to even cross a street in fear of drivers who are not focusing on driving.

One accident could change a person’s life. It might be insignificant in terms of statistics, but it is not insignificant when we empathize what someone might go through when accidents like this happen to them. 

I have almost been involved in many accidents because the other driver did not care to look both ways before crossing. I am able to laugh it off later because nothing happened in the end, but if an accident did happen it could be life changing. 

Should Springfield ban right on red? It wouldn’t be a terrible idea. However, I don’t know how well it would work out logistically with how our roads are built. We do not have long right turn lanes, so we might end up backing up traffic and completely stalling it.

Right on red makes sure traffic is flowing as efficiently as possible. But efficiency should not overrule the protection of individuals who simply want to cross the road at the crosswalk when they have the walk sign.

Featured photo by Pixabay