What's the point of flashing red lights? If there's electricity for flashing the red lights, why not run on a 20-second cycle or something?

Usually it's just annoying but today there was flashing red at a 4 lanes from each of 4 directions intersection. I almost became the hood ornament on a 210... to the extent that you can hang an SDL on a 210 grille. Idiot sailed right through the flashing red. Then glared at me.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD