INTERSTATE COURTESY
WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
INTERSTATE COURTESY
KADOKA, SD: Carla S. lives within sight of I-90 and reports that there seems to be an extraordinary amount of construction and repair here and on most Interstates around the U.S. She says that the resulting work zones are especially dangerous to the repair crews and to motorists. Carla points out, too, that in many states penalties for speeding are doubled and even tripled in these zones, mostly to protect the workers.
As a result of the slow speeds and frequent stops caused by the construction there are many collisions in these slow areas. Most are caused by inattentive drivers who crash into the rear of the vehicle ahead. The damage is very severe and sometimes deadly when the careless offender is driving a heavy commercial vehicle. When in such a zone be sure to leave plenty of empty space in front of you for unexpected stops. For protecting your rear about all you can do is to give plenty of brake light warnings and, if helpful, use the emergency flashers. Glance often in the rearview mirror to spot approaching fast movers.
In 2004 Tennessee made it mandatory for all vehicles to form a single line at the sign telling them to do so. This sign is well in advance of the actual repair zone. A major reason for this new law is to prevent aggressive drivers from staying in the about-to-be-closed lane until the last few feet. They then recklessly force their way into the single lane ahead of the careful ones who merged earlier with much greater safety and courtesy.
Recently twenty-nine other states have passed similar laws to control these unsafe line-jumpers.
Our Interstate system is more than 50 years old. Much of it is too narrow (especially bridges), pavement is broken, and the hills and curves are too severe by present standards. Recent reports state that I-81 running for the Canadian border into East Tennessee is obsolete. In most areas it is only 2 lanes each way. Experts say that with the massive increase in semi-trailers and autos that it should be 5 lanes each way. In one stretch in Virginia some 20 persons had been killed during the summer of 1999. Please be careful not just in repair zones but on any high speed roadway.
Is it time for the railroads to come back into favor? A private group is promoting a railroad parallel to the obsolete I-81 in Virginia. The State is considering 2 “trucks only” lanes paid for by per mile used charges.
GHD195 all rights reserved
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
INTERSTATE COURTESY
KADOKA, SD: Carla S. lives within sight of I-90 and reports that there seems to be an extraordinary amount of construction and repair here and on most Interstates around the U.S. She says that the resulting work zones are especially dangerous to the repair crews and to motorists. Carla points out, too, that in many states penalties for speeding are doubled and even tripled in these zones, mostly to protect the workers.
As a result of the slow speeds and frequent stops caused by the construction there are many collisions in these slow areas. Most are caused by inattentive drivers who crash into the rear of the vehicle ahead. The damage is very severe and sometimes deadly when the careless offender is driving a heavy commercial vehicle. When in such a zone be sure to leave plenty of empty space in front of you for unexpected stops. For protecting your rear about all you can do is to give plenty of brake light warnings and, if helpful, use the emergency flashers. Glance often in the rearview mirror to spot approaching fast movers.
In 2004 Tennessee made it mandatory for all vehicles to form a single line at the sign telling them to do so. This sign is well in advance of the actual repair zone. A major reason for this new law is to prevent aggressive drivers from staying in the about-to-be-closed lane until the last few feet. They then recklessly force their way into the single lane ahead of the careful ones who merged earlier with much greater safety and courtesy.
Recently twenty-nine other states have passed similar laws to control these unsafe line-jumpers.
Our Interstate system is more than 50 years old. Much of it is too narrow (especially bridges), pavement is broken, and the hills and curves are too severe by present standards. Recent reports state that I-81 running for the Canadian border into East Tennessee is obsolete. In most areas it is only 2 lanes each way. Experts say that with the massive increase in semi-trailers and autos that it should be 5 lanes each way. In one stretch in Virginia some 20 persons had been killed during the summer of 1999. Please be careful not just in repair zones but on any high speed roadway.
Is it time for the railroads to come back into favor? A private group is promoting a railroad parallel to the obsolete I-81 in Virginia. The State is considering 2 “trucks only” lanes paid for by per mile used charges.
GHD195 all rights reserved
posted by WRECK-LESS at Friday, January 11, 2008
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