Drivers need to be reminded red light means stop

I have been in Simi Valley for some time now, and I thought the drivers in the San Fernando Valley were bad.

What I have seen and what I am very concerned about is the problem of motorists that continue to go through a left-hand turn signal long after it has changed to red.

I have counted as many as six cars going through the light while oncoming traffic with green lights has to wait until someone pays attention to the light and actually stops. What are people thinking?

Do they think the law applies to everyone but themselves and that they are entitled to break the law just to shave a couple of minutes off their busy lives?

Have they ever stopped to think that it only takes a second to cause an accident that could change someone else's life forever and their life as well?

And what is so stinking important that they can't wait a couple of minutes for the light to change and then proceed? Or are they counting on everyone else to read their minds and not go when the light turns green?

You know it's bad when you, too, are in a hurry and these nitwits decide the law doesn't apply to them so they cut you off or honk at you if you don't go through the signal.

Life is so precious; just ask the family that lost someone in an accident because people didn't obey the laws of the land. Ask the doctors that have to save the life of someone fighting to live after being hit, or tell a child why they won't ever see their mommy or daddy again.

Their pain never goes away, and because these people think their time is more valuable than anyone else's, those they have stolen time from will never get it back.

I hope you print this and those violators (and you know who you are) will read this and slow down. Stop at orange lights before they turn red.

Our police department has enough to do without having to sit at signals to watch people. You only have one life to live, so slow down, obey the laws, get off the cellphone, pay attention to life that is happening around you, because it is not all about you- everybody matters.

Take time now to do the right thing before your time is taken from you.
Bren Mercado
Simi Valley