If a tree falls in the forest...

There is a familiar phrase that asks the question - if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? A similar question can be asked about traffic control devices.

What is the purpose of a traffic control device? To control traffic. They are not there just to create a place for us to stop and rest for a moment. In other words, a stop sign is not there to make you stop. It is there to create a process for orderly passage of vehicles through an intersection.

So my question here is, in the absence of traffic, does a stop sign or stop light serve any purpose? No. So if it serves no purpose, we should be able to proceed safely though the intersection without need to obey exactly what the device says.

Exactly why we need Situational Driving Rules. I do it all the time. I have never been in an accident nad never had a ticket for it. Am I pressing my luck? No! Remember the phrase 'in the absence of traffic'. Police are traffic. If you are competently paying attention and intelligently and accurately assessing each and every situation, you will never be in an accident, never get a ticket, and be an absolutely safe driver.

Imagine that. See you in the fast lane!