Put the brakes on speeding

October 22, 2014 · 0 Comments

Dear editor:
In the light of the recent rash of lethal traffic ‘accidents’ I offer these thoughts/suggestions. My driving experience is close on 60 years in a number of jurisdictions where I held a Drivers Licence/Permit. To satisfy my ‘need for speed’ I indulged myself by racing cars ‘on a track’. And I am not perfect, I’ve contributed my share to the ‘Policeman’s Christmas Ball’ over the years.
Failing to stop at stop signs.
1. At the approach to the Stop Sign install noise generating strips approaching the intersection (this is already done in some places)
2. With the maturing of LED light, solar and sensing technology surround the Stop Sign with a ring of LED lights which would flash when an approaching vehicle is sensed. The lights can be solar powered.
Speeding.
Using the same noise inducing surface technology develop speed sensitive road surfaces that could be installed in dangerous areas.
(My property is adjacent to an asphalt road, which when I bought the property the road was gravel – we now have speeding issues which we didn’t when the road was gravel)
Impatient driving.
I would venture to suggest the recently opened Tim Hortons in Shelburne will be the cause of some bent metal sooner or later at the access and exit since vehicles are forced to cross in front of one another. Plus large trucks are now parking on the shoulder causing significant vision impairment.
Whilst in some peoples’ mind this is a much aspired to business in the area, the traffic management design is appalling, and will only become worse as the NE corner of the intersection is developed.
Distracted driving
Make the penalties for this offence really harsh, take the vehicle, the licence, the device, if it’s possible, away for a minimum of 3 months and impose a significant fine e.g. $1,000
Vehicle design
I’m sure the bright minds in the vehicle manufacturer’s design departments who have embraced and applied ‘technology’ so fervently can apply their design skills to solving these problems rather than contributing to them. e.g. securing seat belts – the vehicle will not start unless the seat belt is secured and pressure is felt on the seat (I seem to recall something akin to this has been tried before).
‘Cloak’ the vehicle structure and glass so phone/device signals cannot be received or transmitted. Just some thoughts.
Tony Howard,
Mulmur