Send us your ideas on fog-crash prevention
In today's letters to the editor Cal Trans and the California Highway Patrol respond to our editorials calling for innovations in traffic enforcement to prevent the annual fog pileups. In the letter, they list their current efforts to prevent these massive accidents. But the officials don't seem to understand the point -- it's not enough. If they think their strategies are so effective, why not double them?
We understand that most of the responsibility for preventing these pileups lays with the drivers. That said, what is now happening every year during fog season is unacceptable. Drivers need more education and safety officials and law enforcement need to be more aggressive. We still think innovation is called for as well.
Clearly, the authorities need more ideas. Any creative thinkers out there? What would help? We'll pass them on to Caltrans and the CHP.
Comments
In the late 1960's, I spent some time in Germany, where fog condidtions, every bit as dense as ours, are common. I kept noticing cars with what looked like a red-lensed foglight mounted on the left side of the rear bumper. I learned that their purpose was to enhance their cars' visibility to motorists approaching from behind in dense fog, by projecting a super-bright red beam which appears as a red glow which is visible much farther that brake lights, to say nothing of mere taillights. Apparently they were quite effective in preventing fog pile-ups, as they are now built-in to new cars in Europe. The state of California ought to encourage their installation and use. I'm sure many lives would be saved.
Posted by: Cristiana St.John | February 20, 2008 10:32 AM
Thanks, Christiana. How interesting. I never noticed these in Germany, but I have a friend who's working as an engineer there, and I'll ask about them.
Posted by: Gail Marshall | February 20, 2008 11:29 AM
Once again we could learn from our European countries imagine that. They do many things that would be beneficial to us. Our automakers should be made to put those on cars being sold in the states and I guess someone should come up with a reasonable cost for all of us to have them installed.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | February 20, 2008 5:49 PM
Place cameras down the strech of highway where the trouble spots are, or have a call in number when fog is detected.
Flashing lights over certain areas of highway telling motorists to slow down or risk loosing their licences! Make a law for motorists to loose license for a few months.
I still think the State should get sued to have a Court ordered injunction to do something before more people get killed.
Or the current altrnative the CHP thinking they are doing the best they can.
Thanks CHP for passing the buck on the drivers on this issue.
In fairness CHP enforce laws they are not in the business of solutions per se.
Cal Trans, Legislators, get to work people are dieing!
Posted by: Rich | February 21, 2008 1:51 AM