According to a smartly marketed GMAC Insurance Survey released just in time for Memorial Day weekend (because Memorial Day is primarily about honoring those who drive), Georgians rank 47th out of the 50 states in knowledge of traffic laws.  And here’s my favorite line from the AJC article…

Questions on yellow lights and safe following distances apparently gave drivers the most trouble.

Ah flashing yellow lights, how we misunderstand you.

Instead of proceeding with caution, we stop.  It may just be Southern courtesy run amok, but its still dangerous.  The poor souls trapped at flashing reds on your periphery are forced to gauge whether you’re a courteous rule-breaker or an enraged rule-abider just jonesing to escape this backup of ignorance.  They jerk forward, wary of your ignorance.

We must stop this madness!  This…stopping!

Perhaps a potent ad campaign is the remedy.  “When you stop at flashing yellow, the terrorists win.”