WILBUR: The light of doom

A letter in your paper May 1 by DeWitt Barton caught my attention because of my own personal experience several weeks ago at the intersection of Wilbur and Government Way.

I was driving westbound on Wilbur approaching Government Way and could see the traffic light at that intersection. Realizing that I would probably not make the green light facing me, I slowed up just as the light for westbound traffic turned red. I was the only car at the intersection and was intending to turn south. I had not been stopped for more than 10 seconds when I got the green arrow to proceed south on Government Way.

I began to pull into the intersection but something didn’t feel right because I had only been waiting a few seconds. As my vehicle proceeded slowly I realized the north and southbound traffic had not stopped for westbound Wilbur traffic. I hit my brakes and backed up, thus saving myself and my dog from becoming a hood ornament for some northbound vehicle.

When I returned home I began to make some calls to contact the person responsible for traffic light coordination. Several hours later I received a call from the man who handles such matters and he told me the lights were in proper working order. I relayed to this man my observation and told him that it was only a matter of time until someone is injured or killed at this location and that I will volunteer to become a witness as to my experience.

I don’t agree with Mr. Barton’s suggestion to have the westbound Wilbur traffic light converted to flashing red as we all know traffic is too busy on Government Way and it would force westbound Wilbur traffic to unsafely take chances on proceeding on a flashing red light.

MICHAEL J. MURPHY

Hayden