ANOTHER Accident in Wallingford

[bike man]

On the heels of the teenage deaths in Wallingford, I saw the results of another accident in Wallingford last night.
At the corner of Ward St and Whittlesly one SUV was diagonally blocking the road and a Jeep was flipped over on the lawn of the United Church of Christ. Police were already on the scene so I don't know the details..
I think every town(including Wallingford) needs to consider some traffic calming measures like lowering the speed limit and encouraging non-automobile travel to cut down on the damage and potential deaths from these accidents.

[eds]

I agree the speed limit probably could be lowered in certain parts, but there are streets where the speed limit is 25 and people still drive 45 or more. Speed limits only enable the police to give citations, which I agree should be done more. More enforcement is needed. But overall its not the system but the people who participate in it that need to change. No amount of enforcement and laws can change the minds of people who feel they are the most important person in the world.

I used to drive emergency vehicles and I was trained to know when to go fast, when to slow down and when the traffic rules can be "bent". The traffic laws are usually designed with the average driver having basic driving skills without advanced training. These traffic rules are designed to take into account, weather conditions, population, road conditions, sight lines, entrances/exits etc. But even emergency vehicles are required to respect traffic rules, by slowing at intersections, stopping at signals if necessary, and otherwise taking into account the conditions of the road. This requires training to "bend" traffic laws.

My point is that the speed necessarily is not the issue. Even 2 MPH is too fast on ice. We need to train drivers on how to drive properly for all traffic conditions, just like we train our emergency service personnel to drive against the traffic laws properly. The laws of physics always apply and it is these laws that must be adhered to. Too often people drive distracted, or drive aggressively without warrant. Or using their car to show off their status.

Driving must be taken more seriously to affect real change.

[bike man]

I would agree that it is up to the driver to control themselves but how do you instill the responsibility neccessary in a majority of drivers?
Would you be in favor of making the drivers license test harder?
Should we make the penalty for speeding arrest instead of fines?

[eds]

I posted almost a year ago on this forum.

http://forums.ctrecord.com/showthread.php?t=306

Mandatory periodic driver testing.

Actually 20MPH or more over the limit and its a crime. You will be arrested. Driver license test should be WAY harder. Keep the riff-raff off the road. You need intelligence to drive and that is lacking in some areas.