Being the opinionated person that I am, I had several things I've been thinking about and thought I'd post them here to see what others' thoughts were...
I have several suggestions to improve transportation:
I. Driver Competency: We need to revamp our drivers licensing programs to look more like those in the UK and Germany. This would have several components:
- Testing: If tests are made more comprehensive and difficult, and training is optional though available at the applicant's expense we allow the licensing process to remain inexpensive, while demanding that drivers meet a necessary competency level before entering the streets.
- Driving System: The US tends to function under the assumption that "slow is safe." We tend to primarily penalize drivers who are traveling fast, while ignoring the far more dangerous infractions of drivers who are traveling slowly. This includes drivers traveling slowly in the passing lane, weaving into other lanes due to lack of attention, etc. By assuming that slow drivers are safe drivers we encourage people to get in their cars and "tune out" making them exceedingly dangerous on the road. A fast-moving driver is generally paying more attention to his/her driving as they realize that they are engaged in a potentially dangerous activity. A slow-moving driver mistakenly thinks that their speed makes the activity of driving safe and pays less attention. Further a "fast lane/slow lane" approach to interstate driving verses a "passing lane/traveling lane" approach makes the road system far less efficient than under the European system. Finally, highways with higher speeds produce more empty (and thus, more safe) highways: if the average speed limit on a highway is increased by roughly 10% (say 55 to 60 MPH), and the average speed of traffic on that highway increases by 10%, that traffic will move through the highway system more quickly, producing a 10% lower traffic density (and thus, a safer highway).
4 comments:
i think you forgot one of the most important things - better laws regarding use of cell phones/texting while driving. i can't count how many times i have almost been in an accident here in the u.s. because somebody was talking on their phone without a hands free device or worse texting while driving.
in the netherlands it is illegal to not use a hands free device while driving. it was amazing what a difference it made in terms of driving while i was there. (they still did other crazy things, but at least they had both hands on the wheel!)
I agree. StL has an epidemic problem with any traffic maneuver involving a lane change/merge--drivers simply don't know how to do it (I don't think it's taught in the driving curriculum here--you'll see people sitting stopped at the end of a merge lane trying to enter 60 MPH traffic because they don't know how to merge!). Anyway, Ab and I drive with one finger on the horn because people will just suddenly start drifting into your lane (I don't know if it's an intentional shift or just drifting) and half the time they've got a phone in their hand. (What's really great is when you tap the horn and they're so engrossed in their conversation that they just keep coming and you've got to make an emergency swerve to avoid an accident).
While I like your idea about increasing the speed limit, you might be overessentializing in suggesting that slower drivers are not paying attention and faster drivers are. Some slower drivers are paying more attention and driving more carefully than some faster drivers and vice versa. Your bias for faster drivers is a bit overemphatic in your argument. . .
Oh, I like your idea about making the streets more safe for bikers, too!
Love you,
Bethany
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