Raves, Rants & Roses

RANT: On Tuesday, June 17, I noticed a few traffic lights out or flashing due to the storm that passed through Tyler that afternoon. I was on my way to pick up my children after work. One non-working light was located in front of Tyler Junior College leading to Bell Elementary. As I approached this light to turn left, there was a Tyler Police Department patrol car in the intersection with lights flashing presumably to direct traffic. Right? Wrong!

As I waited patiently for my turn, vehicles heading east were treating the light as a stop sign. However, vehicles traveling west didn't even slow down and none stopped even though the police cruiser was facing their direction. I eventually had to wait for the westbound lane to be clear before I could turn left.

I don't understand why the patrolmen were just sitting in the patrol car, and not out directing traffic like they are paid to do? And, did these westbound drivers not take driver's education to know to treat inoperable traffic lights like an all-way stop?

However, I send many roses to all those eastbound vehicles that afternoon for allowing me to take my turn when the westbound lanes were clear.

Kristen Ragon
Tyler