THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601250006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Trees do not kill people. Cars do not kill people. Irresponsibility on the part of the individual driver kills people.
I find the solution for the problem of accidents along Shore Drive as conceived by the Virginia Beach City Council another act of irresponsibility. It is difficult to believe that one more treeless straightaway will encourage an ``impaired'' individual to drive in compliance with the law. Better the mind-set of the council be straightened!
Have the cost and feasibility of electronic monitoring been investigated? In some areas of California, the system has a print of the license plate and tickets are sent in the mail. A bridge crossing the Mississippi at Vicksburg has a huge board that prints out your speed as a warning, with a police car waiting on the other side.
What is the real intention here: to save lives, or to pour more tax dollars into yet another speedway - which is how the Shore Drive entrance to The Beach will continue to be perceived, since the straightened/treeless road will be better than ever for racing at all hours of the night - with the subsequent accidents. Who/what will we blame then?
PATRICIA E. JOYCE
Virginia Beach, Jan. 18, 1996
Blaming trees for fatalities along Shore Drive is like blaming Nikon for pornography. Without leveling the entire state park, the highway department simply could not clear enough trees to protect occupants of a 4,000-pound motor vehicle careening out of control at 50 mph.
I am reminded of Norfolk's Airport Gateway ``beautification'' project, where trees are already being removed and will no doubt be replaced by a big neon sign.
It is all too typical for municipalities to feel obligated after spending tax money on consultants. There should be a test for common sense.
T. C. BROWN
Norfolk, Jan. 22, 1996
After reading about the city's plan to deal with the ``problem'' of Shore Drive to the tune of $1 million, I have the following comments.
First, I challenge those who would characterize the road as dangerous. I have been driving Shore Drive since 1968 and have yet to feel endangered by this ``deadly'' road.
Second, I propose the follwing recommendations for correcting the problem: Cut down only those trees that have jumped in front of moving vehicles; don't drink and drive; drive defensively; SLOW DOWN! Cost to the taxpayer: $0.
RIXEY WILCHER
Virginia Beach, Jan. 22, 1996
Regarding your Jan. 22 story on Shore Drive improvements: It's clear the problem is the drivers and not the road - 57 percent of the accidents occurred at night, 38 percent involved alcohol and 19 percent involved speeding.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to save the $1 million in road improvements. Just lower the speed limit at night and increase law enforcement, including sobriety checkpoints at Atlantic Avenue and Shore Drive.
JOHN E. PETERS
Virginia Beach, Jan. 22, 1996 by CNB