Dead on Red: Drivers Running Red Lights and Stop Signs

by Betty Jean Grant

Betty Jean Grant

A few days ago, while I was traveling east on East Ferry Street near Humboldt Parkway, a driver traveling south failed to stop at the red light facing his car. In fact, I believe he never saw the traffic light, he had just run because his car never slowed at all.

I am not the only driver who sees some drivers fail to stop red lights and stop signs. It is getting so bad out there; it seems that one is driving on an obstacle course when traveling to go anywhere. Other traffic issues are tailgating; passing in the right lane; beeping their car horn for one to speed up and almost sideswiping the other vehicle, when they don’t. Drivers also must deal with issues with people on bikes, skateboards, minibikes, and pedestrians (not heeding safety).

Many of the pedestrians are being distracted by the cellphones in their ears and the chaos of the neighborhood around them. Due to the ICE tactics and other immigration restrictions put in place by #47, the problem of citizens being picked up with warning or notice is being played out in the apprehension of Americans on any given day. This intervention by ICE adds to the tension, trauma and stress that motorists face as they try to go from one place to another.

Finally, this writer will discuss the culprit that is also making driving on our city street problematic. Let us talk about potholes, baby! It is almost time for the snow and ice to visit us in another Buffalo winter, and we have yet to address the many potholes from last winter that continue to wreak havoc on our vehicle’s tires and under frame. It seems like motorists need at least four eyes in their head to navigate the streets and roadways in Buffalo safely.

Two eyes to drive, one eye to avoid the potholes, and the last eye to watch the sidewalks for distracted pedes trians and reckless bike and minibikes riders and skateboarders who don’t follow safe traffic proto cols and dart in and out of traffic.