I just saw where Federal Legislation is on the table that would require a new type of “Wrong Way” road sign to be placed on U.S. highways costing Federal, Local, and State governments more money when they don’t have the money now to maintain the roads themselves. I do realize that if I lost a loved one due to this type of an accident that I might feel differently but not being emotionally vested at this point, I’ll stay with the facts.
Around 700 people died last year in approximately 340 wrong-way road accidents on U.S. highways. In most of these cases the accidents were due to people driving while impaired (which begs the question, would a sign matter?), followed by elderly and inexperienced drivers.
I conducted research and found that based on the number of trips Americans make in their vehicles each year that this is actually a death rate of .00006%. More people are struck by lightning in the U.S. each year than are involved in wrong-way car accidents.
I bring up this issue to make a point. This legislation will probably pass like others have for the wrong reasons. It’s an emotional move and it’s a political move. If a politician doesn’t vote for it he or she will be attacked in political ads about not caring about people when it’s not an honest portrayal of the situation.
How could it be feasibly possible for a candidate to counter as to why the costs associated for these signs weren’t justified? How could a politician being hurt in these types of attack ads effectively explain with limited resources that the money could be better applied in other areas and save even more lives? Politicians deal with this all the time so instead of doing what’s right, they cave in because of political pressure and we the people, lose.
There are way more things that can be done to save even more lives than adding new road signs telling people they’re going the wrong way. I don’t know of any transportation budget anywhere in the U.S. that is flush with cash. I doubt that any of us have to go far within our own communities to identify problems with our roadways.
Did you know that potholes have been responsible for many automobile accidents and deaths especially in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City? How would a Federal Law go over mandating that cities and states fix potholes within a certain timeframe or receive a Federal fine? Keep in mind the fine would also be paid for by taxpayers.
On the books, our nation is bankrupt it’s just that until creditors cut our various levels of government off, they’ll continue to spend more than they take in. It’s not complicated, there’s only one outcome to over-spending and it’s bad. Purchasing, installing, and maintaining these new road signs will be the least of our worries when our country loses its cash flow.
If you think this can’t happen, think again. Better yet, call some citizens from Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Bernadino, Stockton, etc., and ask them if they ever believed it was possible for their city to run out of money and how it has affected their livelihoods. A little piece of advice, grab a few tissues before making the calls.
Around 700 people died last year in approximately 340 wrong-way road accidents on U.S. highways. In most of these cases the accidents were due to people driving while impaired (which begs the question, would a sign matter?), followed by elderly and inexperienced drivers.
I conducted research and found that based on the number of trips Americans make in their vehicles each year that this is actually a death rate of .00006%. More people are struck by lightning in the U.S. each year than are involved in wrong-way car accidents.
I bring up this issue to make a point. This legislation will probably pass like others have for the wrong reasons. It’s an emotional move and it’s a political move. If a politician doesn’t vote for it he or she will be attacked in political ads about not caring about people when it’s not an honest portrayal of the situation.
How could it be feasibly possible for a candidate to counter as to why the costs associated for these signs weren’t justified? How could a politician being hurt in these types of attack ads effectively explain with limited resources that the money could be better applied in other areas and save even more lives? Politicians deal with this all the time so instead of doing what’s right, they cave in because of political pressure and we the people, lose.
There are way more things that can be done to save even more lives than adding new road signs telling people they’re going the wrong way. I don’t know of any transportation budget anywhere in the U.S. that is flush with cash. I doubt that any of us have to go far within our own communities to identify problems with our roadways.
Did you know that potholes have been responsible for many automobile accidents and deaths especially in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City? How would a Federal Law go over mandating that cities and states fix potholes within a certain timeframe or receive a Federal fine? Keep in mind the fine would also be paid for by taxpayers.
On the books, our nation is bankrupt it’s just that until creditors cut our various levels of government off, they’ll continue to spend more than they take in. It’s not complicated, there’s only one outcome to over-spending and it’s bad. Purchasing, installing, and maintaining these new road signs will be the least of our worries when our country loses its cash flow.
If you think this can’t happen, think again. Better yet, call some citizens from Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Bernadino, Stockton, etc., and ask them if they ever believed it was possible for their city to run out of money and how it has affected their livelihoods. A little piece of advice, grab a few tissues before making the calls.
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