vision2020
Re: Accident US 95
Dear Friends,
I am saddened by the recent accident and have read comments about the US 95
for several weeks now. I have never driven the highway very far south so I
can not comment on the road far south of here but I would like to make an
observation about the road going north and general state of our driving.
I sincerely do not think that the problem with the road is the speed limit
or the curves. I actually enjoy the curves quite a bit they remind me of the
mountain roads north of Tehran we had to take to go to the beach when I was
young. the curvy roads keep drivers alert and on task so does the speed
limit. the main problem and the source of much rage and thus accidents in my
opinion is exactly the opposite... the slow drivers! the problem is that
many of us feel uncomfortable driving. we have a hard time driving more
challenging roads so we slow down which is definitely the smart thing to do.
those of us, however, who are comfortable with the road end up getting stuck
behind a slow vehicle which causes great frustration. the main problem with
the road as I see it is that there are very few safe passing places. many
drivers get angry being stuck behind slow vehicles (unwise) and thus make
inappropriate decisions.
having learned how to drive in a formula car on a race track I am very
comfortable driving in just about any situation. I get to know my vehicle
very well and know what I can and can not do. I know I am going to get
burned for this by some of you but I really think that there should be
mandatory annual driving class which includes practical hands on track work.
every winter I go to a large parking lot and push my cars until I loose
control. in a safe place when no one else is around you can get a feel for
how your car feels just before you loose control... thus you learn how to
avoid it. in almost 25 year of driving (many miles of which was racing) I
have never had a crash. I know sometimes it happens despite how good you
are; a reckless driver can slam into you... I guess I also have been lucky!
all I am saying is that with a little training we would all be safer
drivers. I think that this would help reduce accidents most effectively. in
Coeur D' Alene I was one of the founders of an auto club which setup
controlled events just for this purpose... anyone interested to get
something for here? we used to get the police to monitor us and insure we
did not get unruly individuals wrecking the whole event. the purpose was to
help people be more in command of their cars.
since our state is in a perpetual state of not having any money I have a
solution for US 95 that is from Europe. in Belgium most roads are three
lane. the middle lane is a shared passing lane. instead of spending a lot
more and creating a four way freeway we could just add one more lane (extend
one shoulder) which should alternate every couple of miles to be the passing
lane for the south bound then the north bound side of the road. it would
cost far less; the road would still have it's cozy country road look; it
would take far less time to build it and it would lower the anxiety of road
travel for both the slower drivers who will not have cars riding their
bumpers and the faster traveler who can pass safely and with ease. everyone
wins!!
Your brother in arms,
Shahab...
Shahab Mesbah
Technical Director
City of Moscow
----- Original Message -----
From: "david sarff" <davesway@hotmail.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 8:16 PM
Subject: Accident US 95
Another accident..with injuries @ mile post 341 US 95.
Is the State going to sit on its tail and not do anything to relieve the
danger that presently exists?......as near as I can tell just a little
escapement would have helped this scenario...But what do I know about it?
The State folks have known about this for a long time...its well
documented...I bet a big Dangerous Curve Sign...with blinking lights
even(How much could that cost)or 3 feet of escapement would have helped.
Remember the debate about lowering the speed back down to where it was at 2
years ago?.
I think they ought to do something sooner than waiting it out until a new
road is built.
Dave
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