Traffic rules only work if everyone knows them and understands which rules
are in place. That may work well for people who grew up in Winona, but for
transplants, and visitors, it takes some getting used to. In the meantime,
unfortuantely, there are accidents.
GS opines: Drivers are required to know the rules and to apply them correctly. That should include determining by observation whether an intersection is controlled or uncontrolled. It is possible (at the vast majority of intersections, I can't recall one where I could not) to see whether or not there is a Yield or Stop sign on the intersecting street prior to entering the intersection. If you enter an intersection without having done that you are driving inattentively, IMNSHO. I would encourage law enforcement to ticket both drivers for that offense in the situation you described. That may not be possible, but I wish it were.
Further, it would seem to me that one has a special obligation to be attentive when driving in an area with which you are not thoroughly familiar.
Glen Schumann
Winona,
MN
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Glen,
But, but, but, but, that's just... like ... wrong. Ahem, what I
mean to say is that if you go to 40 different towns and they all have this
system where green means go and red means stop, then one town decides to reverse
it, would you say that the foreigners who collided were being inattentive?
Sorry, I just don't buy it. It's a safety thing, and is dealt with in most
towns by clearly marking who has the right of way. Sure, in a lot of
smaller towns with one stop light maybe it's not such a big deal, but in a
town with high transience you'd certainly like to make things as clear and safe
as possible for our visitors.
In other words, saying "they should know better" doesn't really help when the rules are inconsistently placed. We the people have the responsibility to make driving as safe as possible to protect ourselves and those aren't familiar with our ways.
-Clay Templeton
