Two times last week I was delayed about two minutes in a left-turn lane when turning from Mill Plain Boulevard, eastbound, to I-205 north. This was obviously due to folks on the phone. On Tuesday, when the green arrow came, two cars went and then I waited, and waited, and after four seconds, a white delivery truck finally moved, on the yellow light, the last one to move in a row of some eight or nine cars in line. Then, on Wednesday, it was the car in front of me at fault; I “dooted” three friendly ones, and then a longer one, before it commenced, and shore ‘nuf, she just made it on the yellow, and I could not risk proceeding. There were three or four cars behind me.
The problem can be solved in two different ways: one, the light can be reprogrammed to permit up to six-second delays without changing. That way, folks on the phone would have adequate time to be reminded that the light changed. Or we can prioritize the catching of cellphone users, maybe even raising the fine. Either solution would result in a better traffic flow, and less stressed drivers who are following the laws.
