Cautionary Signals

Here’s a little analogy in life for you to think about.

On particularly busy high speed, high capacity railway lines, multi aspect signalling is used. Different aspects and colours give train drivers advanced information about how close the train in front is, and where to stop – a safe distance behind the rear of the train in front.

There is a descending order of safety depending upon the aspect you see. Green tells you that two or more signals are clear ahead. Double yellow tells you that the second signal you will see is red. A single yellow tells you that the next signal is red. And red…. means stop.

So you can tear along quite happily at 125mph when you’re running on greens. Sometimes you can see two or three signals ahead too, on a straight section in clear weather. You soon reach and pass the signals at that speed, I can tell you. When you see a Double yellow, you should always assume that it’s double yellow because there’s a red in two signal’s time. But it’s not quite as simple as that. It could be that you’ve caught up a slower train, or you’re reaching a town or city where trains tend to bunch up and slow down as they are routed through various junctions. Knowing the area and route you are travelling will give you some idea of what to expect, whether it’s a dead stop or just reducing your speed. Either way, you have to start slowing down and pay close attention to what’s in front of you for further information.

I like to apply these principles to the way I live. It’s exhilarating to be tearing along at breakneck speed through this life we live, but it’s important to read and pay attention to the signals. When you see life’s double yellows, be cautious. It might be that you have to slow down a bit, just for a while, before returning to full speed. It might be that you have to slow down to negotiate a junction. Or it might be a full stop and phone the Signaller for further instructions!

All too often, we are too busy rooting in our bag for something, not paying attention, or even like to be a cavalier ‘laugh in the face of danger’ driver and try to drive our trains at full speed on double yellows. Some signals are not evenly spaced and before you know it, you’re emergency braking and sailing past a red, far too fast, hoping that the rear of another train will not come looming up from round the blind corner you’re approaching.

You don’t have to crawl through life nervously waiting for caution, or to stop, but pay attention to the signals. They are there to help you and keep you safe.