Correspondence

Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 19:12:27 -1000

To: DrDriving@DrDriving.org

Subject: Your missunderstanding of the issues and premises never cease to

amaze me...

These aggressive laws are about jobs and dollars.. nothing more.

1.   Each time you go through a red light (engaging the intersection when already red).

A significant number (majority) of traffic light are not timed in accordance with MUTCD guidelines or on the basis of engineering that have determined the prevailing speed of traffic being regulated.

a Many times resulting in short yellows and irregular timing sequences.

(equivalent of speed traps)

b Many red light camera are placed at intersections with low accident

rates, but high volumes and/or other traffic sites with design flaws

where the cameras record significant violations yet have no effect on

accident rates. The cities profit from there in action.

c AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, the latest AAA study out of Minnesota and a

like one out of England shows that doing an engineering review of an

intersection and bringing the devices up to standards and specifications

(MUTCD) (timing) resulted in accident reductions of up to 50%.

d. Excerpts of another report

"So far I have measured 13 intersections. I take at least 20

readings of amber time at each signal. I measure the

clearance distance also. Where appropriate I measure the

uphill or downhill grade as the case requires. All the data

is then statistically analyzed and calculations specific to

the intersection are made.

Out of the 13 intersections I have measured and analyzed so

far, five (or 38.5%) failed to provide the minimum amber

needed to make a so called safe stop. All 13 (or 100%) failed

to provide the minimum amber time required for a vehicle to

make safe passage and clearance of the intersection, which

happens to be a CODE OF VIRGINIA requirement. "

2.   Each time you go through an amber light (visibly speeding up to

make it, not just getting caught in it)

See above

3.   Each time you switch a lane without signaling first

These citations are always grouped with speeding as a primary component

of aggressive drive laws. Before you jump on this band wagon go look at

the actual data. Here in Nevada, even with urban cities like Las Vegas

and Reno, out of 70,000 accidents last year there were only 5 were caused

by changing lanes without signaling in total, with another 8 as

contributing cause. ZERO on the interstate/open highway with free flowing

traffic, yet it was the most popular secondary citation written here by

the NHP on these classifications of highways.

4.   Each time you make a turn without signaling

See above - Yes you should signal when making a turn, but it is not an

aggressive driving type of offenses. Normal citation should suffice.

5. - 10.  Each time you go over the speed limit by more than 1 mile

See the study I conducted in Montana. Speed enforcement, as practiced,

has not shown to have any effect on vehicle speeds or accident rates.

Most enforcement occurs when traffic is light, lowest accident frequency

sections of highway, during the times of day when accidents are least

likely to occur, targeting the safest vehicles in the bell curve on roads

that have the limits set well bellow the finding of the engineering

recommendations.

http://www.motorists.org/pressreleases/montana.html

The charts speak for themselves without my commentary. The changes or

fluctuations in the fatality rate had nothing to do speed limit changes.

However, it is interesting to note they recorded there lowest rates ever

when there were no limits whatsoever.

http://nj.npri.org/nj99/03/fedagency.htm   <---- this is a sad truth

http://nj.npri.org/nj99/04/rule.htm   <---- this is a parody

11. - 14. 

This type of behavior is unacceptable at all times. Interesting to note

that the Governor of MN vetoed a "slower traffic keep" right bill

primarily at the request of the state patrol - what's up with that. Here

in Nevada I wrote a bill that was signed into law that says you even if

you are exceeding limit , yet impeding traffic, you can be cited.

15.   Each time you drive without a valid driver license.

The number one cause of lose of license is not having the money to pay

for traffic fine. Primary Victims.. those that don't have money and work

from pay check to pay check.

16.   Each time you drive with an alcohol level above the legal limit

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING??? There are sufficient laws on the books for this one.

17.   Each time you drive while drowsy enough to have droopy eyes

In bridge (transit) states like Nevada the Fed highway monies are not

enough to repair and replace the highways, and there is no funding

available to operate rest stops. Well in excess of 70% the open highway

accidents are single vehicle events. Yet rest areas are virtually

non-existent. NONE on the high accident 15 corridor between Vegas and the

California line... and Casinos do not qualify as rest areas.

18.  - 19. Each time you drive and use a hand held cellular phone

when not in an emergency situation

Despite all the hype, accidents caused by technology are low and the

benefits from cell phones has been enormous. when accidents do occur,

before the vehicles come to a stopp the 911 centers receive multiple

calls and live reports on the severity and nature of the event.

Furthermore, the idiotic recommendation to pull over to shoulder and stop

to talk is the most dangerous act a motorists can perform. The act of

leaving and entering the stream and dramatic speed differentials creates

an extreme hazard and is never a good idea unless you leave the roadway

at an off ramp.

Technology is here and there is no turning it back... This week the

President lifted the military scrambling of the GPS signals to enhance

transportation electronic device applications and navigation.

As with driving, flying or any other endeavor we will as species adapt.

And our survival and lower accident rates says we aren't doing to bad a

job

20.   Each time you drive in a car whose windows are dark tinted

enough so other drivers cannot see you

What does this have to do with aggressive driving???

21.   Each time you drive and other drivers can hear your radio or

music blasting loud enough that it can be clearly heard in an adjacent

car whose windows are up

What does this have to do with aggressive driving???

22.   Each time you unmistakably rev your engine in order to

intimidate someone or to show them your displeasure

Rare occurrence.. and if vehicles are stopped what does this have to do

with aggressive driving???

23.   Each time you get to a traffic light and stop too close behind

another car (you cannot see the other car's tires)

What does this have to do with aggressive driving???

24.   Each time you approach too fast another car that's stopped,

fast enough that the other driver feels threatened

Way too Subjective

25.   Each time you follow too close and keep it up for more than one

minute (even when you're travelling in a pack)

6,000 cars an hour traveling at speeds up to and excess of 80 mph are

daily routine on most urban interstates... at less than 1 second

intervals.. What does this have to do with aggressive driving??? I have

the actual Caltrans reports if you would like to see them.

26.   Each time you're cruising in the passing lane, refusing to move

over as soon as you can

Already against the law in most states... virtually never enforced.

27.   Each time you're waiting in traffic and blocking an exit or

intersection, when you could have stopped sooner

Already against the law in most states... virtually never enforced.

28.   Each time you can be seen making an obscene gesture at another

road user

Freedom of speech... seems to come to mind even if offensive.

29.   Each time you can be heard hurling an insult to another road

user

Freedom of speech... seems to come to mind even if offensive. 

30.   Each time you don't make a full stop at a stop sign

Most stop signs have been placed contrary to the MUTCD (no supporting

justification) many could be replaced with yield signs or removed all

together. When rational motorists determine that there is no safety

hazard... they will proceed with caution without coming to a complete

stop. This is why the yield signs in are recommended instead of stop

signs. Save the stop signs for true hazards.

There are many many areas where accident rates could be reduced, the

solutions are not to found in aggressive driving laws, particularly as

they are being enforced. Worse yet, NHTSA has been holding back studies

and field reports from publication that are contrary to their stated

objectives... anyone one can claim success when they withhold

piublication of the projects that failed, alter data and quote out of

context.