Why do so many people run red lights now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a sign of how our country is descending into chaos, honestly. I think once Trump was elected and for four years he basically told the country that he plays by his own rules (remember his explanations for how little in tax he paid? because he was "smarter"), it made people subconsciously (or consciously) think "am I being a sucker? everyone else cheats and gets more than me as a result, so I might as well cheat too." And in comes out in small ways like running stop lights. Add to that, traffic enforcement, beyond the use of cameras is basically non-existent. And the cameras are infuriating, so at light where there are no cameras I can see how people can justify their need, their right to run the red light.

Agreed. I think Trump permanently changed our social order - people who follow the rules are “suckers.” So now everyone wants to take something for themselves - shoplifting, driving like a selfish maniac, parking in a handicapped spot, violating the HOA lane rules, fibbing on their taxes, etc.

All the stuff coming out about Clarence Thomas is just reinforcing the lawlessness.

So Trump is responsible for our local red light runners?
You TDS folks are an absolute joke.
Take your Ritalin and try to stay on topic.
Its about running red lights, not Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a sign of how our country is descending into chaos, honestly. I think once Trump was elected and for four years he basically told the country that he plays by his own rules (remember his explanations for how little in tax he paid? because he was "smarter"), it made people subconsciously (or consciously) think "am I being a sucker? everyone else cheats and gets more than me as a result, so I might as well cheat too." And in comes out in small ways like running stop lights. Add to that, traffic enforcement, beyond the use of cameras is basically non-existent. And the cameras are infuriating, so at light where there are no cameras I can see how people can justify their need, their right to run the red light.

Agreed. I think Trump permanently changed our social order - people who follow the rules are “suckers.” So now everyone wants to take something for themselves - shoplifting, driving like a selfish maniac, parking in a handicapped spot, violating the HOA lane rules, fibbing on their taxes, etc.

All the stuff coming out about Clarence Thomas is just reinforcing the lawlessness.

So Trump is responsible for our local red light runners?
You TDS folks are an absolute joke.
Take your Ritalin and try to stay on topic.
Its about running red lights, not Trump.

Sir, this is the car forum.

But PP isn't entirely wrong. As usual, Trump is the symptom, not the cause. The cause is the fraying of social bonds and trust, brought about by the constant vitriol, zero-sum bloodsport politics and demonization of political opponents perpetrated by Republicans.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a few times a year I see someone run a red light who wasn’t just over extending a yellow. I don’t think this is an increasingly common occurrence.

[Anonymous]

I am so frustrated by this. Every day I see at least two cars run red lights.

[Anonymous]

I see this also. It’s insanely dangerous on the roads now. Also— people who turn right despite oncoming traffic. And driving at a high rate of speed on surface streets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a sign of how our country is descending into chaos, honestly. I think once Trump was elected and for four years he basically told the country that he plays by his own rules (remember his explanations for how little in tax he paid? because he was "smarter"), it made people subconsciously (or consciously) think "am I being a sucker? everyone else cheats and gets more than me as a result, so I might as well cheat too." And in comes out in small ways like running stop lights. Add to that, traffic enforcement, beyond the use of cameras is basically non-existent. And the cameras are infuriating, so at light where there are no cameras I can see how people can justify their need, their right to run the red light.

Agreed. I think Trump permanently changed our social order - people who follow the rules are “suckers.” So now everyone wants to take something for themselves - shoplifting, driving like a selfish maniac, parking in a handicapped spot, violating the HOA lane rules, fibbing on their taxes, etc.

All the stuff coming out about Clarence Thomas is just reinforcing the lawlessness.

Yes, I’m sure that’s what it is. That’s why the guy in front of me in the Charger with go-go pumping of the stereo ran the light as soon as it was clear - because he’s a trump supporter.


When we say stuff like this, it makes us look like idiots collectively. Please STFU with blaming everything you dislike on trump. You’re making all of us look as crazy as you are, simply by association. Knock that s*** off, ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See this so often, people are now treating red lights like stop signs. If there aren’t any cars around they just go. I honestly haven’t witnessed this type of thing before 2-3 years ago.

I turn left at the red light traveling EB Rt. 7 onto Towlston. That red light is stupid (added recently with the Rt. 7 widening project) and I can easily see oncoming traffic.

[Anonymous]

I was going to start a similar thread. I don't know if it's post pandemic or a problem in the region but people treat a new red like a yellow light. It's crazy to me because that certainly doesn't happen where I come from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See this so often, people are now treating red lights like stop signs. If there aren’t any cars around they just go. I honestly haven’t witnessed this type of thing before 2-3 years ago.

Maybe because GPS programs such as Waze and Apple Maps tell you which lights have cameras?

Red light runners still run the risk of being pulled over by police though. And killings others who trust they won’t do this.

[Anonymous]

There are not enough police. I posted this like a month ago about Arlington county.

They literally have one officer on traffic enforcement in the entire country during the day. It is a free for all, mad max road warrior type world.

[Anonymous]

Since the pandemic, I have seen this happen every time I drive. It's insane. People just have no patience, feel like I already went through so much already, I just feel like doing whatever I want to do and not care about others. US society is definitely in a downswing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a sign of how our country is descending into chaos, honestly. I think once Trump was elected and for four years he basically told the country that he plays by his own rules (remember his explanations for how little in tax he paid? because he was "smarter"), it made people subconsciously (or consciously) think "am I being a sucker? everyone else cheats and gets more than me as a result, so I might as well cheat too." And in comes out in small ways like running stop lights. Add to that, traffic enforcement, beyond the use of cameras is basically non-existent. And the cameras are infuriating, so at light where there are no cameras I can see how people can justify their need, their right to run the red light.

Agreed. I think Trump permanently changed our social order - people who follow the rules are “suckers.” So now everyone wants to take something for themselves - shoplifting, driving like a selfish maniac, parking in a handicapped spot, violating the HOA lane rules, fibbing on their taxes, etc.

All the stuff coming out about Clarence Thomas is just reinforcing the lawlessness.

Yeah, because Bill Clinton was all about following the rules.

[Anonymous]

In Montgomery county, lights are timed to ensure you get stopped at each one. Some are way too long for some intersections. I get fed up so if it is safe and no other cars around, I’ll go. Has nothing to do with trump or pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are not enough police. I posted this like a month ago about Arlington county.

They literally have one officer on traffic enforcement in the entire country during the day. It is a free for all, mad max road warrior type world.

Not just there are not enough police, but what police officer in their right mind would want to pull over "less" serious violations in today's day and age? Our country has devolved into nutjobs with guns everywhere. There is a real risk that an officer gets shot at a traffic stop. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a few times a year I see someone run a red light who wasn’t just over extending a yellow. I don’t think this is an increasingly common occurrence.

+1 This thread is bewildering to me, I don’t see this at all.