DATE: Friday, June 13, 1997                 TAG: 9706120198

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: THE ROAD WARRIOR 

SOURCE: Road Warrior 

                                            LENGTH:  112 lines

RENAMING ROUTE 44 TO I-264 WOULD MAKE BEACH EASIER TO FIND

Last week, City Council approved a resolution to request a change of interstate designation for Route 44.

In real terms, that means that City Council will ask the secretary of transportation to ``aggressively'' pursue a name change from Route 44 to Interstate 264.

Council thinks this change will make it easier for folks to find their way to our fine city. Road supports the idea simply because there are too many thoroughfares that abruptly change names when you are still on the same road.

For instance, Kempsville turns into Witchduck at Princess Anne Road. You never turn or anything and all of a sudden you're on Witchduck when you started off on Kempsville.

Anything to simplify driving around these parts is A-OK with Road.

Plus, Route 44 is really the same road as I-264 anyhow.

SNARLS OF THE WEEK

The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.

Beth, no address given. I work at the Central Library and I thought readers would want to know that the NADA book is available at all of the Virginia Beach public libraries. Bye.

RW: Thanks for the info, Beth. Always good to know.

Dave. I live in Kempsville where the car is king. I don't have a comment about why my need to get somewhere in a hurry is more important than anyone else's, but I do have an observation to share. I frequently ride my bicycle around my Lake Christopher home and take my life into my own hands occasionally and venture across Kempsville Road to ride around Lake James. Well, the other day, around 8:30 a.m., I rode up to Kempsville Road expecting my usual five-minute wait.

Low and behold there wasn't a vehicle in sight in either direction. I sat there in a trance for nearly five seconds thinking, this must be the day the Earth stood still. But, then the next wave poured down at me, 50 mph from either direction. Back to reality but for a moment it was a reminder of days gone bye. See you, Road.

RW: Ahh, the good ol' days, Dave.

Chuck Cohick, Avalon Terrace. Interstate 64 and Route 44 to the Beach. Let's make I-64 go to the beach and do away with Route 44. Less confusion and a true east west I-64.

RW: Actually, Chuck, Road thinks you mean Interstate 264. Otherwise, we'd have everyone confused.

Bob, Virginia Beach. I'm a professional truck driver and I have no problem stopping at red lights no matter how heavy my load is.

My problem is the people that don't use turn signals, including school bus drivers, emergency vehicles not on an emergency. I also seem to see a bunch of people with firefighter license plates and the license plates with the little round yellow thing in the middle of them that are completely ignorant of turn signals and the courtesies that used to be associated with them.

Maybe we can address that instead of the red light thing. Anybody who pulls out at an intersection without looking both ways first is a fool. Thanks a lot.

RW: Good points, Bob.

John Kinsley, no address given. I just wanted to comment about this segment on the testing of these signs on Route 44 and Interstate 64 saying they have to go through a 30-day testing period and if they fail any message, the time frame has to start anew.

That has got to be the most ludicrous thing I've heard in my whole life.

It just seems like if it fails, correct the problem but at least give us something more useful than ``test test test.''

At least give us the time and date and temperature like they have in Northern Virginia.

RW: It does seem that they could be doing something with the signs that have already passed their 30-day testing period. Like, maybe using a joke a day or something.

Tracy, Windsor Woods. I have a real problem with people who live in these neighborhoods. I take Old Forge Road every morning to get to work but it seems like almost every time I get run down or cut off by someone running a stop sign at Old Post Road or Kings Point Road. They need to realize that they need to obey the law also even though it's not the main road.

I'm afraid one day they might actually hit me. Another thing. What is it with the ones who think that these back roads are race tracks? Have a good day.

RW: Amen, Tracy.

Chloe Long, no address given. College Park at Drew Drive is used as a cut-through between Indian River Road and Military Highway. They speed through here at 55 and 60 mph but it's a 25 mph residential area and we have kids playing. I've called the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake police numerous times. They come out at 2 p.m. in the afternoon on a Sunday and think they're going to catch a speeder.

I've called the traffic engineers and asked them to put speed bumps. Nothing's done. Sooner or later there's going to be a child killed out here. What can I do? It says ``no thru trucks.'' We have trucks rip roaring through here all day long. Thanks a lot. Bye.

RW: The topic of controlling speeders in neighborhoods is one that Road finds exasperating. The problem is real; the solution is unknown. About the only thing you can legally do, Chloe, is keep calling the cops.

Jim G., no address given.I really like this red light running campaign and I've got two stickers myself for my vehicles. But the thing is, I keep driving up and down the street and I haven't seen one other sticker on any cars.

It might help if people put them on their cars to get the message out by advertising instead of just having the stickers sitting on their desk at home. Thanks a lot.

RW: True, Jim. Road's mailed some 400 stickers, so they're out there somewhere. Road is getting ready to mail a last batch and if your name isn't already in the pot to get a sticker, you can come by The Beacon office at 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., across from Pembroke Mall, and pick one up. They're still free.

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