"Jay Honeck" wrote in message

......the light can be green for 3 - 5 seconds before anyone even THINKS
about moving.

It is ironic. Physically operating a car doesn't require a great deal of
skill. But traffic is a dynamic system, and the one requirement for system
smoothness that crosses all boundaries is that people must pay attention,
else the system grind to a halt of its own weight. Yet, inattention and
oblivion are the constants you can find no matter where you go.