What's more Libertarian . . .
. . . a working traffic light, or a four-way stop?
That question popped into my head Sunday as I read an article in the Democrat-Gazette that mentioned the fact that driving in Smackover, Arkansas, was safer when the town's only stoplight wasn't working.
Apparently, people will stop for a four-way but will try to outrun a yellow light.
posted by The Last American at 9:41:00 AM
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2 Comments:
A purist would likely say that it depends on the enforcment - if enforced strictly by holding anyone who causes an accident liable, either is libertarian. Personally, I prefer the four-way stop as it at preserves a higher degree of human decision making.
I would think the four-way stop would have less subjectivity; everyone has to stop at the intersection, and thus is better by the "equal treatment" standard, whereas if you reach an intersection, there is about a 50% chance that you have to stop, even if no cars are coming. And if you want to go through the intersection or make a left turn, you have to wait until the light changes, which you don't have to do at a four-way stop.
But then, neither is Libertarian enough for me. I favor making ALL stop signs and stoplights more like "Yield"s.
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