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About Me
As a man thinks, so he is. Some people are never. Recent Posts
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CarSpace Alternate RouteTurn off the nav system, crumple up that MapQuest printout, and let's find out where the next random turn may take us! Apr 22, 2009 - Zig-Zag
Sep 22, 2008 - Easy Cure
The main point is always that the cameras aren't about safety or traffic control, but are about revenue. Well it's pretty simple. The revenue stream wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the red light runners. It's like the old joke where the guy goes to the doctor and says, "Doc it hurts when I do this." And the doc says, "Well, don't do that." Besides, what's the hurry? With the way most traffic lights are timed to keep the traffic moving, if you run this red light, you're likely to have to stop at the next one anyway.
Apr 16, 2008 - Simple Minds
Reducing CO2 emmisions is a hot topic now and a motoring organization in Great Britain thinks they have a way to reduce them. All you have to do is change the traffic lights so traffic moves faster. It's so simple. They even have a catchy way to illustrate how their solution would benefit. The AA believes that 1,000 cars held up for 10 seconds every working day while heading to and from work produce enough extra carbon dioxide to fill three and a half squash courts. How illustrative. And they believe that. No "studies show" for the AA. Just flip a couple of switches, adjust some timings and all will be well. Right. And grain prices and the cost of foods won't be affected by growing more corn to turn into ethanol. It's all so simple. Read the entire article at the Telegraph
Mar 28, 2008 - Back Off
I'm not sure if this is the case around the world. Research published in the UK showed that "at-work" drivers are more likely to tailgate and speed on motorways and in towns than other drivers. The research indicates that the majority of at-work drivers are feeling pressurised to get somewhere fast, risking lives. Now the group that did this research is calling for the Department for Transport to publish its research into satellite-controlled speed limiters (Intelligent Speed Adaptation, or ISA) and if it is as successful as early results have suggested, roll out to all vehicles. Satellite-controlled speeds? Has anyone seen Big Brother lately? The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Read the entire article at EasierMotoring.com
Mar 25, 2008 - Rock Beats Scissors
We're in a university town and every year it seems to get worse as groups of cyclists seem to think the roads are their to do with as they please without regard to traffic laws or their own safety. The other day I ran into a perfect example. I was on some side streets, but they are main thoroughfares that you use to actually get to places. Two lane roads, no passing permitted, with the very occassional left turning lanes at intersections. I'm coming down a hill, approaching an intersection where I have to turn right, and in the distance I see three bikes riding in the road. Not kids, grown adults all decked out in their bright yellow riding outfits. Completely geared up. They make the right turn as do several cars behind them and proceed to ride three wide at their own pace as the traffic backs up behind them. They were having a grand old time laughing and ignoring the fact that they're supposed to ride single file and not impede traffic. Throw in the folks who ride the wrong way, swerve suddenly off of sidewalks, and generally don't use the network of bike paths that my tax dollars went to and you can see how a bit of animosity towards cyclists can grow. They have the same issues in Santa Cruz, CA The Community Traffic Safety Coalition of Santa Cruz County has launched a program similar to the traffic schools motorists attend to prevent points from going on their record that allows cyclists to attend traffic school for $35. Attending the two-hour class allows bikers to escape paying a ticket, which can run $100 to $200. "We're a university town with a lot of bikes on the road and a lot of injuries," said Corinne Hyland of the county health department. "We want to capture that audience and give them some education." Educating the riders is a noble idea. You would think that they'd understand that, just like rock beats scissors, car beats bike. Every time. Read the entire article at MercuryNews.com
Sep 5, 2007 - Having Your Say!
10 - I'll drive my car, you drive yours. How about we try that? You're in a hurry?
Sep 1, 2007 - Why Is The Sky Blue & White?
As you can see, there are vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and they'll start to trickle into town on Thursday night. Parking at the stadium goes well beyond what you see in the photo, with some parked as far away as a mile from the promised land. Bleeding blue and white
Aug 24, 2007 - Move In Day
She's very excited, as can be expected, and having lived here in Happy Valley for over 30 years, I'm gearing up myself for the 7 mile ride into chaos. Roughly 40,000 students and their families and friends will be descending on us over the next day or so to get settled in for the academic year. As you can imagine, this creates some interesting situations, traffic and otherwise as cultures and driving styles smash together. (Hopefully not too many times in a literal sense!) Downtown State College is built around two one-way streets, so over the week I'll be prepared to encounter at least two or three folks travelling down those streets in the wrong direction as they try to get their bearings. But that's all the grace time they get as the first home football game is just a week away and 100,000 more fans and their vehicles will be added to the mix. My favorite move in moment though always happens at the grocery store. This happens every year just like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano. I'll find myself in line at the grocery store behind a group of guys who are doing their shopping for their first apartment. They'll have two shopping carts filled, at a minimum, as they think they've figured out how to minimize trips to the grocery store. They're basking in the glow of being so much smarter than their mothers who would go to the store at least once a week. And there's always a ringleader, the one who came up with this fool proof plan, and he surveys the pile of supplies and says... Do you think we have enough milk to last the semester or should we get a few more? I never have the heart to save them from themselves. Besides, why should I deprive myself of an annual belly laugh? Some things you just have to live through to learn from your mistakes. As you can see, we've managed to fit all of my daughter's gear into the Versa to make one trip, and there's even room for the two of us! I continue to be impressed with this car's carrying capacity. So we're off into the insanity. Our baby is going away to college. Wish us luck! On your own at last
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