We’ve talked over and over about some of the simple changes that can be made to save gas and help the environment. One of those is for local jurisdictions to make traffic signals operate sequentially, or at least more efficiently. This means an end to constant stopping and starting at times when there is little or no cross-traffic. Here’s an example of a road that just doesn’t work and it’s one most of us are familiar with: Independence Avenue.
On several occasions during the past few weeks, I’ve driven the eastbound stretch of this road off 14th Street at around 10 p.m. Here’s what happened: After I turned right, I got about halfway to the light at 12th Street before it turned red. That’s OK because there are usually tourists at this somewhat late hour heading for the Metro station after a night on the town and they need to cross safely. As soon as that light turns green and traffic gets started, the next light at L’Enfant Plaza turns red, and drivers sit and sit with no traffic crossing. As soon as that light turns green, the light at 9th Street turns red. This is the ultimate insult in that the Ninth Street tunnel is one-way southbound and the only traffic that would cross Independence Avenue would be that from the DOT/FAA Building which is as dark as a tomb as this hour.
By this time, I’ve been joined by 15 to 20 cars and trucks which are sitting at this red light for nothing, all of us burning fuel and throwing hydrocarbons into the air. The next light, the one at Seventh Street, doesn’t make us wait for a full cycle before turning green but by this time you can just see the drivers seething.
The signals on roads and streets like this come under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Wouldn’t it make sense to tie these into a system that actually works? The wasted fuel and the added pollution are inexcusable. This city shouldn’t have the image of being stuck in the traffic control systems of the early 1900s. Many of the lights in this stretch need to go to flash after 8 p.m. There is no excuse to turn four short city blocks into a five minute trip when there is no cross-traffic and few pedestrians.
Retesting older drivers
I’ve said in previous columns that I think it’s a good idea to consider retesting drivers after they get to a certain age, such as 70, and I’ve laid out the research to support my case.
But a recent study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine says that taking the keys away from senior drivers can result in serious consequences. The gist of the study’s findings is that elders who stay behind the wheel are less likely to enter nursing homes or assisted living than those who have never driven or who gave up driving altogether.
The researchers do say that it’s not a blind endorsement for the elderly driving, but it does make a case for caution and thought before taking the keys away.
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