Q Should the penalty points for jumping a red light be increased?
J. Wilson (Talkback, October 29) does not appear to have noticed that between the red and green traffic lights there is an amber light. I do not know whether digital read-outs of the time left before the lights will change decrease instances of jumping lights, but I doubt it. Their absence is not, and should not be seen as, the slightest excuse for jumping red lights. When the lights change from green to amber the decision should be made according to whether or not you can stop, not according to whether you can 'make it'.
Drivers jump lights for one (or both) of two reasons. Firstly, they think that they can 'make it' and are unlikely to get caught. This is taken to extremes at roadworks that reduce the road to a single lane controlled by lights, and waiting drivers cannot do anything other than wait and report the offenders, many of whom do not even have the decency to look guilty. More should be done to catch these drivers.
Secondly, they are not fully concentrating and/or they have not developed a proper technique for approaching traffic lights (probably, in all fairness to them, because they have never been taught properly) and so, when they become aware that the lights have changed, they experience up to a second or more of indecision (a long time when driving), by which time it is both too late to stop and dangerous to continue.
The importance of full concentration on driving is a topic that is far from adequately stressed. Even a simple conversation with a passenger, or listening to an interesting programme on the radio can compromise concentration on driving. I constantly tell my wife never to tell me, or ask me, anything important when I'm driving, because I frequently cut myself off from every other consideration when road and traffic conditions demand.
Further, while it is generally considered polite to look at the person to whom you are talking, when you are driving it can be deadly.