Open Letter to Illinois Drivers Who Do This To Others at Red Lights

After what I'm certain would've been my wife's, my two youngest kids, and my last day on earth, I now have major trust issues with some Illinois drivers.

Illinois Driver Pet Peeves

I think it's reasonable to assume I don't need to ask 'if' you have an issue with other drivers on Illinois roads. Living in Rockford, it's likely one of your issues with other drivers shows up at one of the 5 most hated Rockford intersections.

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and I am completely aware of the fact that I am the source of frustration for so many other Interstate drivers.

My Illinois-native wife made me very aware of the big mistake I make, and the mistake actually has a name.

Left Lane Lollygagging

I'm known for getting in the passing lane and forgetting to get back over to the right after I've passed someone. I lollygag in the left lane and unfortunately, my wife is the one that fields all the glares from those who are forced to pass me on the right.

RELATED: 4 Illinois Roads Called Most Dangerous To Travel On In The State

I have another Illinois driver pet peeve, and it's the reason for my open letter.

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Open Letter to Illinois Drivers Who Do This To Others at Red Lights

Dear Illinois drivers who honk at me the second the light turns green,

You may be in a hurry, but I doubt you're in a hurry to die. I'm not in a hurry to be hit by another driver of a fast-moving vehicle.

In the summer of 2018, my wife and I, and our two youngest children, were driving south on Auburn Street, headed to the Winnebago County Fair. She was behind the wheel when all four of us came close to being hit broadside by a car driving north on Springfield Avenue. That driver wasn't paying attention to the fact that their light had turned red and ours was now green.

The speed of that other vehicle never changed, it just blasted through the intersection.

If my wife hadn't hesitated for that one extra moment, there was no way that car wouldn't have hit us on the driver's side. Not pulling away when right when the light turned green was caused by a question she was answering from one of our kids in the backseat. She didn't start to pull ahead until someone honked their horn behind us.

It was at that moment, as that other driver has honking, the other car ran the red light.

Did that other driver speed up to try to beat the light? Did that other driver not see the red light because they were distracted by something. like their phone?

I have no idea why they blew through that red light, but I sure am glad we didn't take off the moment that horn suggested we get moving. If you're behind me while I

If I'm at the front of the line at a red light, you can beep at me all you like, but I'm not going until I feel that all drivers in all directions see that their light is red and they're slowing down. Sorry if I made you late to the next red light, but I'm in no hurry to die behind the wheel of my car.

Sincerely,

Steve Shannon

Yes, I'm aware that some people may need a beep at a green light to stop looking at their phones, but that isn't all of us.

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