Expert: drivers running red lights at roadwork zones show blatant selfishness
Several drivers on the Madona–Vecpiebalga road were filmed passing through a roadwork zone despite a red traffic light. A traffic safety expert warns that traffic light rules during roadworks are identical to normal ones and such behavior endangers other road users.
On the P30 road between Madona and Vecpiebalga, video footage captured several drivers ignoring a red, prohibitive signal at a temporary traffic light set up for roadworks and continuing to drive through the construction zone. Of the several vehicles shown, only two drivers stopped and waited for the red light.
The footage was discussed on the program "Sadursme 360," where traffic safety expert Andris Ķerpe explained that the rules for roadwork traffic lights do not differ from those at regular intersections — crossing on a red light is prohibited in all cases.
Why drivers take the risk
Ķerpe noted that one reason drivers choose to run the red light is reluctance to wait, since waiting times at roadwork traffic lights can stretch to several minutes. Drivers reportedly know that traffic from the opposite direction cannot move until the last vehicle completes its pass through the construction zone.
However, the expert stressed that such behavior can delay other drivers who are waiting in good faith on the opposite side for a green light. He described this conduct as a blatant disregard for traffic rules and mockery of those drivers who follow them.
Ķerpe emphasized that this kind of behavior amounts to open selfishness toward other road users, causing additional delays and creating potentially dangerous situations in roadwork zones, where road infrastructure is already limited.
