Dangerous Four-Way Intersection Near a School: Why I Took the Long Way Around

 Day 296 of 2026

Hi Friends,

I had to run an early morning errand this month, and it took me past one of the trickiest spots in the area: a four-way intersection with no traffic lights. Crossing it is crazy on a good day.

It gets worse. Kids cross at the same time, even though the school has specifically asked families not to use that intersection. Between the morning rush and the early afternoon pickup traffic, it’s a recipe for chaos. Cars inch forward, drivers wave each other through, and everyone is guessing who has the right of way. Add children on foot, and my stomach tightens just thinking about it.

So I made a choice. I skipped the intersection and took the longer way, going down another street and waiting at the traffic light for my turn.

Was it slower? Absolutely. Did it save my nerves? Without a doubt.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Earlier in the trip, a car had been behind me on the same block. When I headed for the light, he decided to take his chances at the four-way intersection and make his turn there.

By the time my light finally turned green (and yes, it took a while), I drove through and passed the very same car. He was still sitting at the intersection, waiting for a gap in traffic, with kids trying to cross right in front of him.

I couldn’t help but think about it afterward. The “shortcut” wasn’t short at all. The longer route, with a light and a clear signal telling me exactly when to go, got me through before he ever found his opening. More importantly, I wasn’t one of the drivers adding pressure on a corner where children were trying to cross safely.

It made me wonder how many of us take the “quicker” option out of habit, without realizing it’s costing us time, patience, and sometimes safety. A few extra minutes on a different road is a small price to pay for avoiding a stressful, unpredictable situation.

I don’t have a perfect solution for that intersection. A traffic light, a crossing guard, or a stop sign on every corner would certainly help. But until something changes, I’ll keep choosing the longer way.

If you drive near a school in the morning, take a breath, take the extra minute, and watch for little ones. They’re counting on us to be paying attention.

The moral of the story? Sometimes the long way is the fast way. Also, I should probably start leaving the house earlier. 

Wishing you peace and happiness from my heart to yours!

Peace

Monita