THE YELLOW TRAFFIC LIGHT

June 3, 2020 –

When I hurry, all the traffic lights between me and my destination are displaying red. If there’s no rush, I seem to hit green lights. I know to stop on red and go on green. I also know when the light is yellow, and I race my engine to get through the light, a police officer with a traffic citation is lurking.

I’ve attended a traffic school to avoid the points. I pay enough for car insurance. I don’t know if people learn to be better drivers by attending the half-day session. I know time drags, and some other attendees shouldn’t have a license.

I don’t remember the stopping distances for cars at different speeds, and I don’t recall what all the road signs signify. But my time and dollar investment taught me not to race through yellow lights.

Caution is a warning to slow down and stop. Not speed up and hope you beat the red light. Sometimes we need to slow down and heed the yellow light. Caution is sometimes a prudent decision. We may make the wrong decision because we speed up making our choice when we should have been more deliberate, checked for more facts, sought council, and weighed our options. With a sense of urgency, we step on the gas and attempt to complete a project or decide quickly.

I’ve witnessed drivers upset when stopped at a red traffic light. A few of the drivers even talk to the light, as if that would change the situation. This inconvenience and delay have the power to turn into road rage. I’ve also experienced people become frustrated and upset when stopped by obstacles that prevent them from achieving their personal or professional objectives. The wise person takes a deep breath, flushes out the anger in their mind, and waits patiently, knowing the light will change.