I have been reading the various responses to the recent awareness and sensitivity on the speeding issue in Killingworth, and have recently pondered some issues that have perplexed me relative to the speeding issue, and pedestrian rights'.
First, I have to say that my wife and I truly love and appreciate the ruralness of our roads, and am in full support of a process that 'monitors and corrects' speeding on such roads that pose a safety risk to others. This brings me to my first issue. In my opinion, Route 81 should not be the road that our trooper chooses to issue speeding violations. Don't get me wrong, there are times when this is appropriate (such as during school and worship times), but not 24/7 and on weekends. My wife and I were actually stopped on Route 81 several weeks ago on a Saturday evening at about 10:30 PM. We were pulled over by the trooper because we were traveling at 45 miles per hour, heading North toward Fire Tower Road. I stated to the trooper that I was literally shocked that I was pulled over for traveling 10 miles over the limit. The part of this that really angers me is that I cannot count the many times a see a trooper traveling on Route 81 (anywhere, including the school and church zones) traveling in excess of the speed limit! Talk about unethical morales.
The other issue that bothers me is when I get stares from certain people riding horses, even when I am traveling at or UNDER the speed limit, and providing them ample space to not startle the horse. Add to that the fact that some of these people fail to pick-up the droppings of their horses, leaving mounds of 'fertilizer' in the roadway for cars to dodge. I for one do not appreciate driving directly through one of these 'piles', and I am sure the offending persons would not either. Please don't get me wrong, as I truly admire the beauty and grace of these lovely animals, but if you are guilty of this selfish act, please consider doing what is appropriate and cleaning-up the mess, or at least 'move' it off the road so bicyclists are not surprised by your inconsiderate negligence.
As for various comments regarding the posted speed limits, I personally feel that whatever speed is posted, people will always drive what they feel is appropriate for the road and conditions. If anything, posted limits simply provide the police a way to issue infractions in almost any given circumstance, as nobody appears to obey them. This would include you if you travel just 5 miles an hour over the posted limit. How about this for a spin on revising the posted speed limits - SUGGESTED MPH with a NOT TO EXCEED MPH? For example, on Green Hill Road, a sign could read "Suggested Limit 35 - NOT TO EXCEED 40". For those motorists that feel driving 10-15 miles per hour over the posted limit is typical, the Not to Exceed limit can serve as reinforcement of the enforced speed limit. For those motorists who's driving skills are not as experienced and/or reactive as others, the Suggested limit can serve as a reminder to the speed that does not lead to tailgating (another reason for many accidents), and permits a more realistic travel speed for that road.
In summary, I am all for monitor and control processes, as long as
they are applied to those roads and situations that really present
a danger, and extend to those who create 'obstacles' in these roadways.
Bob Bavolacco