Drive with Caution
Drivers get a lot of advice from signs and signals as they motor along, including traffic lights and various yellow warning signs. Theoretically, we should take all the advice, but most of us don't.
You can tell something about your fellow drivers in how they handle the yellow light of a traffic signal. Many making a left turn try to stretch the light, sitting in the intersection until traffic coming the other way has finally stopped. They become the last car through the intersection, often after the light has changed to red. Those going straight often also stretch the light, reasoning that if their car enters the intersection while the light is still barely yellow, they'll be legal and still won't have to wait through another series of light changes.
Some people understand the yellow light as it was originally intended, as a signal to slow down and prepare to stop. I've known persons who drive anticipating the yellow light and immediately hit the brakes when the light first turns yellow. Maybe I too often decide my action by glancing in my rear view mirror; if the car behind me doesn't slow down for a yellow light, I don't either, lest I get hit from behind.
(If you've guessed that this is about the corona virus, hang on. We're getting there.)
The diamond-shaped warning signs are actually not mandatory traffic regulations. They are put in place to protect us (from ourselves). They might warn us of changes in the road ahead, animal crossings, construction, or a host of strange and wonderful things that might affect our driving.
How we react to the warning of a curve ahead is quite revelatory! Some drivers don't slow down in the least, depending on their great car and wonderful tires to keep them on the road. Those with a greater car and more wonderful tires might even speed up. Others of us slow below the recommendation on the sign.
Our government has recommended caution as the nation "reopens" businesses and churches once we've gotten past the worst of the corona virus ordeal. It's like a warning sign! You can forge ahead with little caution and get ahead of those who are careful, or you can take it slow. There will be both types of people, and many in between.
Keep in mind that drivers who 'beat' the caution light usually get ahead only by a part of a minute, while putting others at risk. Those who want to 'beat' cautions about spreading the corona virus may get ahead, but others might be endangered. Slow down.
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Matthew 7:12
