Westport seems divided in 2. There are red lights that drivers routinely plow through, as if color-blind or impervious to law. And there are those that everyone always stops for.
The most notorious, of course, is the Post Road and Roseville. As noted last June, folks fly down the hill past McDonald’s like lemmings to the sea — 4, 5, even 6 cars after the light turns red. This light has even less power than the no-cellphones-while-driving law.
In 2nd place is the one exiting Trader Joe’s. This is arguably more dangerous than McDonald’s’; at least there, Post Road drivers can see you coming. In the Compo Acres lot, you get a green and you’re ready to leave. You have no idea 3 or 4 eastbound Post Road drivers are about to disregard their red.
Just a few yards away, Compo Road intersects US1. Depending on the time of day, drivers often roar through this one too. In the morning, people heading to the station race from North Compo to South Compo, against the red. At night, it’s reversed.
But — and this is the point of today’s post — similar intersections never have problems. Sylvan Road North, for example, has nearly the same grade as Roseville; drivers there are no doubt in the same rush as everywhere else in town. Yet I’ve never seen anyone try to beat the Sylvan Road North light.
It’s the same at Turkey Hill South and Morningside North. Downtown, drivers always stop at Parker Harding Plaza.
I have no idea why some red lights are always obeyed, while others are magnets for law-breakers. “06880” readers: What do you think?