Letter to the Editor: Enforce speed limits to save lives on roads
A night or two ago, it was announced that Delaware state troopers were starting an initiative to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities resulting from those accidents. It was mentioned they were going to introduce new programs to improve safety, along with other efforts to make Delaware roads safer. No dollar figure was mentioned, but you can bet it won’t be cheap!
Why does the government think that the only way to “improve” anything is to throw money at the subject? May I suggest that state troopers simply begin by using some common sense or logic to address this traffic problem? And how simple is this?
Enforce posted speed limits!
Not only will this reduce traffic accidents (a proven fact), but there are so many other benefits, as well, such as improving miles per gallon (save money). With gas prices as high as they are, I am sure no one will complain about that. At the same time, with the reduction in accidents, people can save money on auto body repairs, doctor and hospital bills, time off work, car-rental costs and increases in insurance (both auto and medical, etc.). With the improvement in mpg, we can also save oil (proven fact) and reduce pollution. So what is the delay?
It might mean spending 10 more minutes on the road, but what is 10 minutes compared to the problems fast driving creates? And what about all those completely “unnecessary” trips? Surely, everyone can cut out that extra trip once in a while to save money and oil, can’t they? People say they are concerned about pollution, so I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is!
A deterrent that should also be used in this effort to reduce accidents and fatalities is the use of financial incentives through fines resulting from speeding. For example, if one is caught in a 60-mph zone going between 61 and 65, the fine would be $100.
However, if caught driving 66 mph, then the fine would be $150, and if caught driving 67 mph, the fine would be $200. Get the picture? I feel sure the financial costs added to the cost of fuel and the fines for speeding down the highway would cause many to think twice about exceeding the posted speed limits.
Just as a last note when talking about speed on our highways: The posted speed limits on Route 1, from north of the canal to just south of Dover, are 65 and 60. A few years ago, if you were driving 65, you were passed by a few folks doing 70.
However, now, if you are driving 65, the vast majority of folks are driving 75 to 80. Talk about creating problems and using fuel like drinking water! Are those people really in that big of a hurry to get to work? I doubt it! Just a thought.
Joe Schell
Dover
