Traffic Troubles

Brad Kruse, Ponca City, OK — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:53:01 GMT

Has no one considered enforcing traffic laws - such as following too closely to the vehicle ahead? The minimum distance is usually defined by POSTED speed, not speed of the car ahead.

The reason I suggest this, is that you cannot have traffic jams if everyone stays that 200/100 feet back. The reason for the congestion is the 'flinch' - someone slowing to avoid another driver. The problem is that with tightly jammed traffic, no one can speed up again until everyone ahead has speeded up. Space the cars and you lose the problem to the cars behind, recovering lost speed happens much quicker, flinches affect fewer cars.

And the law is on the books today, in all states. Simply start walking down the lanes of stopped cars, and ticket anyone too close to the car ahead.

Traffic Troubles

Tony Filippelli Plainfield IL — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:39:55 GMT

As far as the congestion goes nationwide, I think there needs to be a nationwide push to encourage companies to let their employees become telecommuters. It's a simple solution to the problem as it leads to less people on the road, so many of us drive to offices to sit on a computer all day, when we could just as easily do it from home.

Traffic Troubles

Rick Green, San Diego, California. — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:37:26 GMT

Brad and Tony's comments are very interesting. For starters, I think both ideas should be implemented. I think the government, not the state should maintain or be responsible for all freeway/highways in the nation. Maintenance and infrastructure vary widely state to state. Living in San Diego and commuting daily is a major headache and more. San Diego has very few freeways. This concentrates vehicles in a much smaller area vs. other cities with many major roadways and better asphalt access. San Diego's other major issue is the fact that the city is situated in between Mexico and Los Angeles. People wishing to commute to Mexico from points north and east of San Diego most likely squeeze through San Diego County via I-5 and I-15, two of the busiest, congested, most traveled roadways in SD. This makes for an ugly ride, resident or non-resident alike. Enough said.

Traffic Troubles

Kenneth Clifton — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:18:26 GMT

AS you know the highway system will never keep up with our population growth. Every U.S. city has the same traffic problems as many of our work force are going to work at exactly the same time.
I suggest that we stagger everyone's work hours alphabetically; therefore the same amount of people coming to work for same amount of hours but would be coming into the city in 30 minute-45 minutes intervals.We use a system such as this, to vote,will-call reserved seatings at ball games and concerts, and some jobs such as phone company,American General, electric services etc.
Maybe parents could go to work earlier so they might be able to get to a child's after school activity and childless people could go in later and work later.
This would need to be in agreement with employer and employees on a volunteer basis.Workers would be happier and production would be up nation wide because no one had to sit in traffic for a long time.
Not as many highway grants are needed, if the highway system could handle the traffic. ASk people to turn their headlights for a week if they are willing to just try the new system.
Example:A-C 6:30 A.M. to 3 P.M.
D-G 7 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
H-L 7:30 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Traffic Troubles

Lyn Knapp, Annandale, Virginia — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:02:23 GMT

We watch Brian Williams every night and always appreciate his take on the day's news. I guess my husband and I are the "grammar police;" we're of the age when correct grammar was important. On last night's piece about traffic congestion, Brian introduced it by saying something like "If you're waiting for someone to get home tonight, at least tell them about this report." It would have been so easy for Brian to say, "tell him or her about this report" and reinforce the use of good grammar. Are we fighting a losing battle in the proper use of words and grammar? I hope not. The problem is that hearing incorrect grammar so jars us that we can't really properly listen to the remainder of the piece.