Editor, Times-Union: I once witnessed an egregious example of not understanding the rules: A traffic light changed, and a car stopped in the intersection to wait for it to turn green again. Though we call it a stop light, a red light doesn't mean “stop.” It means “it is not your turn to use the intersection” Had the driver understood this, he wouldn't have remained in the intersection when it wasn't his turn. The most common way to avoid entering an intersection is to stop, but it's also permitted to move slowly enough that thelight turns green just as you reach it, or to turn off on a side road if one presents itself. Likewise, a green light isn't a command to shut your eyes and plow straight ahead. A green light grants permission to enter the intersection if it is, in your considered opinion, safe to enter the intersection. Joy Beeson Winona Lake
