ANDY ZAHN: Simple Solutions for Traffic Safety

Opinion by Andy Zahn

I have seen things that were very dangerous and witnessed accidents. I made recommendations to VDOT which were adopted and I am sure have prevented more wrecks and even deaths. I suggested to the NHTSA 2 simple inexpensive ideas which would help prevent vehicles going the wrong way on divided highways and wrecks at traffic signals. Painting large white arrows on the pavement where cars can enter would show immediately the right or wrong direction of travel. Many accidents occur at lights because drivers don’t see the red signal until too late and also because even professional drivers don’t know whether to stop or not when the light turns amber. A wide line across the road set for the speed limit would tell all drivers if not up to that line they MUST stop.

No interest in my idea!

Now they are proposing mandatory devices on trucks and buses to limit their highest speed. My one son owns his trucking company and AGAIN more money out of his pocket. Another son is an over the road trucker and is paid by the miles driven. Most drivers are paid this way. When they get behind slow drivers or wide-loads or are stopped for a DOT inspection, it’s money out of their pocket for their day’s wage. Naturally they will be inclined to speed to make up the lost miles.

Remember with a CDL they MUST stop for the day after so many hours. Bus drivers are almost forced to speed to maintain their schedule.

A simple solution for truckers would be to pay so much per day and if a driver was non-productive let him go. Another solution is law enforcement which my two sons say is almost non-existent. While these devices if not tampered with would prevent trucks and buses from going over a pre set speed there would be unintended consequences which would be bad.

There is no sense sending this to anyone because frankly, NO ONE CARES!