While drivers in more "Type A" cities can scarcely be bothered to stop at red traffic lights, let alone yellow ones, the more laid-back city of Nashville, Tennessee, has gained a reputation for its drivers' tendencies to stop at, and often even sit through, green traffic lights.
"It's important to be careful at intersections," said green-light-slow-roller Brenda Hartley, who was born and raised in Music City. "You never know who might be coming the other way."
She added, "It's not that we're lazy or oblivious or plain dumb. We're just cautious. And maybe a little lackadaisical."
Cameron Bailey, a homeless man who relies on the offerings of warm-hearted strangers at the busy East Nashville street corner he frequents, similarly lauded the forbearance shown by Nashville drivers at green lights. "Why should our actions be dictated by a color, anyway?" he said. "People should go - or not go - with their hearts."
And even former New Yorker Chris Jones says that he's come to appreciate Nashvillians' more leisurely approach to green traffic lights. "I used to get really annoyed when the light would turn green and people just sat there. But then I realized, where am I so eager to get to, anyway? Work? I mean, seriously." He laughed and shook his head. "Nashville's the best, man. The best."
