vision2020
Re: Accident US 95
Hi Shahab: Your answer and your solution are so very basic, clear and
simplistic about the Highway 95. I can appreciate where you are coming from
because myself I enjoy driving a curvy road myself. I was an Operating
Engineer in another state for some time and during that time I have been
involved in the construction of some two thousand miles of freeways,
streets, driveways. All of which tells you that I know a road when I see
one. Highway 95 was constructed with the use of mules, horses and very
rudimentary construction devices. The highway is a wonderful thorofare to
use to show off the natural beauty of Idaho. It is a Sunday drive highway.
I do not believe that the early developers could have ever envisioned large
diesel trucks moving over a roadway that at best could accommodate a
'Sterling Chain Drive Diesel'. No, this highway has out grown it's
usefulness and should be retired. Your proposal to have all of us jump into
our cars and practice driving them under adverse situations does propose a
challenge that all of us that we would benefit from the experience. It
would indeed be a wonderful life's experience but, there is nothing more
exhilarating than to have a 'Big Rig' bearing down on you from behind with
it's Jacobs brake blatting. Or, as in the Chrysler advertisement on
television. To hear the 'obbligato' of the big engine behind you is just
what the doctor ordered for a halloween frieght. The highway is out of
compliance!It does not and will not service mankind effectively in the
twenty first century. If this situation on highway 95 continues at the
rate we are going kill the entire indigenous population of Moscow, Idaho
this twenty first century.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shahab Mesbah" <moscadmin@moscow.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 9:13 PM
Subject: 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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