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WAR OF THE ROADS Internet-wide 2001 Gifts.com Great gifts for all All at deep discounts   2001 Toys .com    Great toys for kids of any age Fantastic shopping Support For Highway Regulation and Traffic Law Reforms by Jeffrey M. Gray This essay discusses the unreasonable levels of death on our highways throughout the U.S.  One day you or I could be one of those victims!  Sad to say, it's true. While deaths are mostly blamed on drunk drivers, many accidents are caused by just plain-out inconsiderate drivers.  These are generally called dangerous drivers by most of the public.  And yet, many of these deaths are the result of driving at speeds well below the posted speed limits. Slow drivers are often the cause of many highway mishaps. So, here are some ways I propose to reduce these problems: First of all, there is a law in all states that is called "reasonable and prudent speed."  The reality is, some people that are not considerate will still drive the 70 and 75 mph speeds no matter if the road is wet or conditions are foggy or icy.  I have personally seen people here in Texas drive far too fast on icy roads, which has caused these unreasonable accidents; it's the same for rainy roads, -- one cannot drive a high speed (above 60 mph) on rain, because it takes too long to stop. So, because of these problems, I have come up with the idea of posting our speed limits on electric signs. These signs could change to show a different limit at night, like in Texas; also they could change on windy, rainy, or even snowy conditions when ever the law enforcement feels the need.  The way they would change the sign is by having different 25-mile-radius signals from the Department of Public Safety, or any other local area station near to the sign itself, all remotely activated by computer.  It would work just like electric billboards we have posted in Tarrant County, Texas. I have come up with proposed minimum speeds, which I think are very reasonable with the new speed limits posted in the cities and rural areas of the country.  The reason why I came up with these new minimum speeds is, the current minimum 45 mph is too slow as a minimum speed in 60 mph-limit areas and up; this is mostly because of dangerous drivers going at or above the maximum speed limits.  These drivers will not slow down for slower vehicles in time; or, more often, they will tailgate the car that is going slow or just smash right into them. A second reason why 45 mph is too slow is that if you are driving safely, and there is someone going 55 mph or even slower, you must slow down and try to get around them without cutting any one else off. Concerning the problem of slow drivers in lanes other than the far right lane, I came up with another "right lane law:"  We already have a law that says "slow traffic keep right"; but, it only means keep out of the far left lane if there's more than 2 lanes on one side of the highway. With my law, people driving in a 70-75 mph speed limit area must stay in the far right lane if driving under 65 mph. In a 65 mph speed limit area, people driving under 60 mph must stay in the far right lane. In a 60 mph people driving under 55 must stay in the far right lane. In Montana, which has no speed limit on interstate highways in the day time, people driving under 70 mph must stay in the far right lane. If the highest speed on the highway is 60 mph or above, and your speed limit is 55, like trucks, you must stay in the far right lane, with the minimum speed of 50 mph. The proposed solution to the problem of dangerous drivers is rather simple. When some one cuts you off or tailgates you, they usually just get a small fine. These dangerous drivers are actually threatening peoples' lives using high speed vehicles as a weapon. This is similar to their holding a gun up to your head and threatening to pull the trigger.  I propose that these dangerous people be put in jail for at least a month or pay a fine of $2000 or more, after a second conviction. Another way to catch these people is by using laser beam technology.  By setting hidden computerized laser detectors and cameras near traffic signals or road signs, we could spot vehicles traveling with less than the legal limit of space between cars; this would provide photographs of dangerous drivers' license plates and tickets would be sent to them. So, in conclusion, do we want our lifespan shortened by dangerous driving or do want to take some action to safeguard our longevity?  Consider these measures for safer highways, including introducing bills in Congress; and, please let me hear from you. Respectfully, Please send e-mail for citizens supporting safer highways.              E-mail: roadwar50@aol.com Link to: The National Coalition for the Abolition of Speed Limits Ft. Worth, TX