If you were Sheriff

[vraiblonde]

less lights and less left turns mean higher speeds, more room for acceleration between the lights..

I don't think the real problem is speed. Stop and go traffic causes a lot of accidents as well. Plus it's what pisses people off and makes them dart in and out of traffic and try to beat the light.

You have these dolts that sit there with their finger up their nose, finally realize the light has turned, and only two or three cars get through. That stuff makes me crazy, and I'm not an aggressive driver by any stretch.

And it would definitly cut down on rush hour drive time, which is another source of driver frustration.

 

[aps45819]

Texas has access roads all over the place and it is very cool. So, like, on 235 you'd have two thru lanes in both directions, then an access lane on each side for those who want to exit/enter. This gets rid of most of the lights, which clog things up, and eliminates all the left-turn signals.

when I was there last month, somebody pointed out the lack of fences between the interstate and the side acces roads.
Then they pointed out the paths thru the dirt from one to the other, refered to as Texas off ramps

 

[kwillia]

I don't think the real problem is speed.

I think speed compounds the problem because speeders change the natural flow of traffic. Speeders alter the normal gaps the would be available to those needing to get into the traffic flow.

 

[Pete]

Seriously though, I don't think that it's the Sherriff's fault, and I don't really see how he can fix the problem unless he has some sort of say-so when it comes to road-building and transportation policy.

Maybe a county-wide crackdown on aggressive drivers and speeders and things like that would work for a while, but that's on a patch on the larger problem... which is the ill-thought out system of roads and intersections and the non-intuitive rules that govern them.

The road system around here looks like my three year old scribbled on a map. There is no sense of purpose or efficiency to any of them. There are two roads that run from the north to the south, and both of them are so clogged up and frustrating to drive on, that by the time I get home, I need a stiff drink to unwind from the trip. The rest of the roads are meandering winding lines through the woods, that may or may not meet other roads. It's a complete mess.

Plus it seems that it's almost impossible to JUST DRIVE anywhere. There are too many high volume roads that are single-lane, and with the exception of 3 or 4 corridors you just can't put on the cruise-control and leisurely drive somewhere. It always has to be a battle.

None of this is said to dismiss or condone aggressive driving or speeding or anything of the sort - however, it seems that the road-system around here been perfectly engineered to work against the driver.

It is my opinion that the road system should facilitate ease of travel, and frankly - it just doesn't.

I disagree, there is a "culture" of vehicular mayhem primarily because of loose enforcement. Drivers like kids will push right up to the limits allowed. If enforcement was increased the "culture" would change form mayhem to something a bit more civilized.

I drive the corridor twice a day. Unless there is an accident I rarely see police "patrolling" when I do they look more like they are going somewhere and turn off. If there is no reasonable expectation of getting pinched, people just do what they want.

How many times have we all been on 235 and see the traffic weavers, tire squeelers, kids hot rodding up and down the road causing dangerous conditions or crotch rocket bikes doing 60mph wheelies and there is never a cop around? These kids know that chance of getting caught is virtually nil.

Roads, yes that is a problem. To get from point A to point B in this county you are almost required to travel 5 or 235. This forces more and more people onto those roads. If more main arteries were created to spread the traffic out it would decrease........blood on the asphalt.

 

[desertrat]

I think everyone should ride motorcycles or mopeds. They wouldn't feel so protected by their cages and would be more respectful of others and of the laws.

 

[aps45819]

I think everyone should ride motorcycles or mopeds. They wouldn't feel so protected by their cages and would be more respectful of others and of the laws.

Works for me

 

[BuddyLee]

I disagree, there is a "culture" of vehicular mayhem primarily because of loose enforcement. Drivers like kids will push right up to the limits allowed. If enforcement was increased the "culture" would change form mayhem to something a bit more civilized.

Anytime I've ever been pulled over it's been by a state cop. I usually don't pay the county cops any mind at all. IHOP and meeting on the side of the roadway with other cops sometimes seems to be more important.

 

[itsbob]

I don't think the real problem is speed. Stop and go traffic causes a lot of accidents as well. Plus it's what pisses people off and makes them dart in and out of traffic and try to beat the light.

You have these dolts that sit there with their finger up their nose, finally realize the light has turned, and only two or three cars get through. That stuff makes me crazy, and I'm not an aggressive driver by any stretch.

And it would definitly cut down on rush hour drive time, which is another source of driver frustration.

Stop and go makes for fender benders, speed and agressive driving makes for fatalities..

 

[Toxick]

less lights and less left turns mean higher speeds, more room for acceleration between the lights..

Holy crap! You're right!



We should have stoplights spaced at 10 foot intervals along the length of every stretch of road in the state.

Then nobody would die in a vehicle collision!

 

[rack'm]

Rumble strips before every stop sign.

Inflatable cop cars to deter speeders.......with real cops running radar sprinkled in.

 

[itsbob]

Holy crap! You're right!



We should have stoplights spaced at 10 foot intervals along the length of every stretch of road in the state.

Then nobody would die in a vehicle collision!

That would be taking it to the stupid level.. but making a road 8 lanes wide, straight as an arrow with NO lights would be just as stupid now wouldn't it!

There was place experimenting with tuned rumble strips.. if you drove the speed limit it made a pleasant sound or even played a song, you went over the speed limit and it got annoying, and more obnoxious the faster you went

 

[aps45819]

That would be taking it to the stupid level.. but making a road 8 lanes wide, straight as an arrow with NO lights would be an interstate

:fixed:

 

[itsbob]

:fixed:

Make it I-235??

 

[desertrat]

Have solid steel barriers that shot up out of the road when the light turned red blocking the intersection. There would be a short period of increased accidents, but it would taper off.

 

[Toxick]

That would be taking it to the stupid level.. but making a road 8 lanes wide, straight as an arrow with NO lights would be just as stupid now wouldn't it!

No, actually. That would be a "freeway" and I love driving on those.

Would it be feasible around here - doubt it. But I don't think the concept of a freeway is, in any way, stupid.

The problem with controlling speed by clogging up a roadway with stoplights - especially stoplights like those on 235 which are designed to maximize the wait time - is they appear to serve no purpose other than being an impediment. This will invariably piss people off and that is why you get aggressive drivers, and people running red lights.

Sure it's fun to say, "Screw them" and try to squash their attempts to move along quickly and bend them to our collective will whether they like it or not - but realistically all that will do is exacerbate the problem instead of controlling or eliminating it. People just want to get the eff home after work, and I don't think that it's useful or in any way 'good' to make the trip back and forth to work a punishing experience.

And right now, any trip up Rt 5 or 235 during rush hour is extremely punishing.

And therefore more dangerous.

There was place experimenting with tuned rumble strips.. if you drove the speed limit it made a pleasant sound or even played a song, you went over the speed limit and it got annoying, and more obnoxious the faster you went

I won't say this is the silliest idea I've ever heard, but it's got to be in the top 10.

 

[chernmax]

If you were going 90 in a 35 would it sound like an Alvin and the Chipmunks song?


ALVIN!!!!!!!!

Probably play the theme song from COPS!!!

By the time SOMD ever installed such an idea, we'd all be driving around on little hover cars!!!

 

[vraiblonde]

In any event, traffic problems are more the County Commissioners' territory, not the Sheriff's.

 

[bennydafig]

In any event, traffic problems are more the County Commissioners' territory, not the Sheriff's.

but only in CRE..

 

[oldman]

Given the steady supply of body bags used in ST Mary's to cart away dead people from auto accidents every month, what would YOU do to attempt to quell the "rush to death" it seems so many have, if you were appointed Sheriff today?

speak

Although this doesn't answer the specific question I would not be appointed Sheriff nor would I want to work for one. I admire them and believe they do an outstanding job but I'll be darned if I want to see death, destruction and criminals each day I'm on duty. Just reading about it daily is more than enough for me. More in response to the question though if Henry Ford, Olds and a couple of others hadn't invented cars we'd all be a lot safer riding horses and buggys. Just think of all the positives with that thought. No more bikers wave, instead a buggy wave. If you had to give the finger to someone it could last for five miles unless his horse was much faster than yours. No emissions tests, although there would be some emissions but they quickly disappear. Mom & Pop stores would still be on the corner eliminating malls the size of NYC 27 miles away. Someone pulls out in front of you, a simple whoa prevents a $2000 plastic bumper repair. OPEC sets the price of gas at 25 cents a barrel because there is not much need for it. Dual lanes aren't necessary no more. We could do away with the county roads department and just hire foreigners to operate pooper scoopers. Rich people could have covered wagons and some others could still put spinners on their wheels and tinted windows to protect them from the sun. All farmers could just grow hay now that they aren't allowed to grow tobacco no more. I think I'd still flick my cigarette butt out of the wagon though so don't follow me to close.

 

[vraiblonde]

@ Oldman