Comments on: A danger to our children http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/1945 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:22:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Doug Thompson http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/1945/comment-page-1#comment-4284 Doug Thompson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-4284 <p>...I listed the speed (35 miles per hour) I was driving on the dirt road (which was narrow and rutted in the section). I grew up on dirt roads around here and have no fear of them. But I do have respect for others on the road and don't drive like a fool. Unfortuantely, too many others do.</p> <p>A number of Virginia counties, including <span id="article_font">Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Montgomery, Warren and Wythe have a 35-miles-per-hour limit on dirt roads. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in 2007 recommended a limit of 35 on dirt roads, nothing that speeds between 35 and 55 increased traffic accidents tenfold in studies.</span></p> <p>An engine speed governer does not prevent a school bus from breaking the speed limit in a 35 or 45 mile zone. An engine speed govenor does not prevent a school bus from breaking the 55 mph speed limit on downhill stretches.</p> <p>An engine speed governor does not stop a bus driver from running a stop sign at East Main and Barberry Road (or other intersections).</p> …I listed the speed (35 miles per hour) I was driving on the dirt road (which was narrow and rutted in the section). I grew up on dirt roads around here and have no fear of them. But I do have respect for others on the road and don’t drive like a fool. Unfortuantely, too many others do.

A number of Virginia counties, including Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Montgomery, Warren and Wythe have a 35-miles-per-hour limit on dirt roads. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in 2007 recommended a limit of 35 on dirt roads, nothing that speeds between 35 and 55 increased traffic accidents tenfold in studies.

An engine speed governer does not prevent a school bus from breaking the speed limit in a 35 or 45 mile zone. An engine speed govenor does not prevent a school bus from breaking the 55 mph speed limit on downhill stretches.

An engine speed governor does not stop a bus driver from running a stop sign at East Main and Barberry Road (or other intersections).

]]> By: Doug Thompson http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/1945/comment-page-1#comment-4297 Doug Thompson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-4297 <p>As I said in the original post:</p> <blockquote> <p>I'm sure most of the operators of the county's school bus systems are careful drivers who consider the safety of the children they ferry to and from school.</p> </blockquote> <p>I also made it clear from the outset that I was talking only about "some" drivers. It doesn't matter how well a driver knows the road. Speed is dangerous. So is running a stop sign. I hold competition racing licenses from both the Sports Car Club of America and the Porsche Club of America Club Racing circuit and other sanctioning bodies but that doesn't give me the right to drive at high speed on a public road. It doesn't place me above the law.</p> <p>If even one bus driver operates in an unsafe manner it puts dozens of children at risk. I have witnessed more than one driver operating at speeds above the speed limit and running stop signs. Others who have posted here have provided similar accounts. Should we overlook this simply because most of the drivers are law-abiding and because there hasn't been a serious accident yet? Do we have to wait for a child to die?</p> <p>I've lost loved ones at the hands of a dangerous driver. I make no apologies for the language or approach that I use. If it takes one unsafe driver off the road it is worth it. Drivers who obey the law and consider the safety of the children in their charge have nothing to fear from what is written here. Only those with something to hide do.</p> <blockquote> </blockquote> As I said in the original post:

I’m sure most of the operators of the county’s school bus systems are careful drivers who consider the safety of the children they ferry to and from school.

I also made it clear from the outset that I was talking only about "some" drivers. It doesn’t matter how well a driver knows the road. Speed is dangerous. So is running a stop sign. I hold competition racing licenses from both the Sports Car Club of America and the Porsche Club of America Club Racing circuit and other sanctioning bodies but that doesn’t give me the right to drive at high speed on a public road. It doesn’t place me above the law.

If even one bus driver operates in an unsafe manner it puts dozens of children at risk. I have witnessed more than one driver operating at speeds above the speed limit and running stop signs. Others who have posted here have provided similar accounts. Should we overlook this simply because most of the drivers are law-abiding and because there hasn’t been a serious accident yet? Do we have to wait for a child to die?

I’ve lost loved ones at the hands of a dangerous driver. I make no apologies for the language or approach that I use. If it takes one unsafe driver off the road it is worth it. Drivers who obey the law and consider the safety of the children in their charge have nothing to fear from what is written here. Only those with something to hide do.

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