In New Orleans, when you’re stopped for the red traffic light and it turns green you:

(A) Go.

(B) Look as far right and then as far left as you can see — just to make sure all the approaching drivers have also noticed the change, then go.

In Batesville, when you’re stopped for the red traffic light and it turns green you:

(A) Go.

(B) Look as far right and then as far left as you can see — just to make sure all the approaching drivers have also noticed the change, then go.

Answer B, which has been the correct response in New Orleans during my acquaintance with that city’s drivers, has also become the correct answer for Batesville drivers who value their lives, limbs and property.

Often when I am stopped for red at the intersection of Highways 6 and 51 — eastbound, southbound, direction seems to make no difference — waiting for the light change, some vehicle comes through the intersection across my path after the light has already turned to green for me.

My co-worker Margaret Buntin has seen the same disregard for a light changing from yellow to red on her frequent trips through the Bates Street/Highway 6 intersection. She remarked about it last Friday when a vehicle was struck and overturned by another at that intersection.

Which brings me to the next question in my driving quiz:

In New Orleans, when you have the right-of-way at an intersection with a two-way stop (stop signs on two sides), you:

(A) Keep on truckin’ through the intersection because you do have the right-of-way.

(B) Stop anyway and look both ways before proceeding even though the other traffic is supposed to stop.

The prudent driver in New Orleans will choose answer B. The prudent Batesville driver will make the same choice — especially if his or her car is approaching the Bates Street/Creek Drive intersection. A recent collision there overturned an SUV and brought a helicopter to transport one of the people injured.

The Bates/Creek Drive intersection begs for a four-way stop. Southbound drivers who stop at Bates must look out for eastbound Creek Drive motorists who approach the intersection from an angle greater than 90 degrees. That’s always a recipe for wreckage. Remember the old James Street/Broadway intersection before the all-way stop signs were posted there?

My driver quiz was simple. Only two questions with only two options each for answers. There was a third option I considered for both questions:

(C) Experience a complete meltdown, losing all of your confidence. Leave your car where you have stopped and run away. Once at a safe distance, walk calmly to your destination.

Hopefully, we’re not there yet.