Featured Article
Safety vs. Mobility
Posted on February 12, 2009 by John Morals | 2 comments
Over the last several years there has been an emphasis on increasing mobility – in other words, keep traffic flowing at an acceptable level of service. (LOS) Public agencies are increasingly developing policies that require a minimum LOS. However, as LOS increases or improves, speed increases and the concern is that higher speeds mean an increase in the severity of crashes and perhaps more fatalities. Speed kills.
Ideally, there would be a perfect balance between the two, but quite often it is not possible, so a compromise must be made.
So, therefore what is more important, mobility or safety?
Safety should be the top priority of public agencies, even if LOS decreases and travelers are forced to spend a few extra minutes in traffic. Public agencies respond to public demands, and the vast majority of complaints are about congestion and not safety. Motorists see and experience congestion on almost a daily basis. But they don’t see safety. If we were to de-emphasize mobility we could in fact help save more lives. And public road agencies should be more concerned that we get to work safely and return home to our husbands, wives and children safely. Seeing my children again is more important than an extra 10 minutes in traffic.
Traffic Deaths in U.S. Decline while Motorcycle Fatalities Increase
Posted on August 18, 2008 by Scott Pearce | 1 comment
Last week, several articles were written detailing the new report released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The report is newsworthy for several reasons. Traffic deaths in the United States declined last year, reaching the lowest level in more than a decade. However, there are still more than 41,000 fatalities on the roads. And 2007 was the 10th straight year deaths of motorcyclists increased. Last year motorcycle fatalities surged 6.6 percent, to 5,154.
Africa: Sex by the side of the road
Posted on August 15, 2008 by Scott Pearce | 1 comment
Last week, a report on the website, allAfrica.com detailed the International AIDS Conference held in Mexico City on August 5. The topic of concern to the road industry, of course, is the discussion about roadside sex workers and the belief that truckers are to blame for the wide spread HIV. However, research presented at the conference, suggests that the truckers may have been misunderstood.
New Fort Worth stop signs are hard to miss
Posted on July 31, 2008 by Scott Pearce | 2 comments
This article originally appeared in the Star-Telegram and was written by Gordon Dickson.
