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Texting While Driving Invites Disaster
For Sept. 21---ROAD WATCH
This columnist has been a staunch opponent for years against yakking on a handheld cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. And text-messaging is even worse in my book – a lot worse.
Now that a horrific train crash took the lives of 25 people in California’s San Fernando Valley last week – and it was found the engineer of a commuter train was text-messaging while he ran a red light – it’s even more necessary to ban this dangerous trendy practice.
All right, so we can talk or take another sip of our coffee while we’re stopped at a red light, but how can anyone really pay attention to the road when they’re preoccupied with tapping on those tiny cell-phone keys?
Call me old-fashioned, but I only do my typing on a computer keyboard at home or in the newsroom – not behind the wheel.
NEW SIGNS
Most of us some time or another, have probably rolled through a stop sign in our neighborhood while rushing to and from work or to pick the kids up, but sooner or later it may become an accident waiting to happen.
Kudos to the Haverford Township police department for posting a “Rolling Stop Sign” violation warning sign in the Westgate Hills section of the township at Greenbriar Lane and Westgate Road.
The sign states: "Complete Stops Free -- Rolling Stops $108 -- Your Choice -- Courtesy of Haverford Twp. Police."
If that doesn't make an impression on drivers -- how such violations hit your wallet or pocketbook -- I don't know what will. Simply put, but it really gets across the message.
Also, there has been a visible effort by the Westgate Hills Civic Association to post yellow plastic “Please Slow Down” signs along busy Glen Gary Drive and Wendover Drive. There should be a new stop sign posted on Rose Tree Lane at Wendover to slow down motorists who speed on Rose Tree and/or cut around one-block-long Wendover as a shortcut. There are a lot of young children in these areas so outside motorists should be made aware to slow down.
SPRINGFIELD
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Thomson Avenue between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road (Route 320) in Springfield starting Wednesday for water main installation. The road will be closed through Oct. 22.
During construction, Thomson Avenue through traffic will be detoured over Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY
Today, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the right lane on I-76 East will be closed between South Street and Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia. The westbound right lane will be closed 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m., traffic will be restricted on I-76 East/West between City Line Avenue and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lower Merion and Upper Merion, Montgomery County, for line painting. Motorists are advised to maintain ample distance behind the line-painting trucks and stay off the traffic lines.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT WEEK
PennDOT, law enforcement agencies and other child safety advocates are emphasizing the lifesaving difference a child safety seat can make during the observance of National Child Passenger Safety Week starting today.
For a listing of events or to find the nearest fitting station, call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit www.pakidstravelsafe.org.
You must call first for an appointment.
Those unable to afford a safety seat can get help through PennDOT’s car-seat loaner program for needy and low-income families by calling the latter number.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Ridley Park – Sellers Avenue, Aqua Pennsylvania water main installation, lane restrictions between Chester Pike and Ward Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 25. Work began Aug. 27.
Tinicum – Wanamaker Avenue, utility installation by Aqua Pennsylvania, closed/detoured between Route 291 and Second Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 31. Work began July 21.
Blue Route (I-476) – conduit installation with possible lane closing between MacDade Boulevard and Baltimore Pike 10 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
Haverford – U.S. Route 1 North/South, bridge wall repairs at Farwood Road 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Media Bypass – Upper Providence, crack sealing with restricted lanes between Route 352 and I-476, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Darby – Lansdowne Avenue, PECO installation between Garrett and Marshall roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Work begins Monday.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 25. Work began Feb. 19.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.
This columnist has been a staunch opponent for years against yakking on a handheld cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. And text-messaging is even worse in my book – a lot worse.
Now that a horrific train crash took the lives of 25 people in California’s San Fernando Valley last week – and it was found the engineer of a commuter train was text-messaging while he ran a red light – it’s even more necessary to ban this dangerous trendy practice.
All right, so we can talk or take another sip of our coffee while we’re stopped at a red light, but how can anyone really pay attention to the road when they’re preoccupied with tapping on those tiny cell-phone keys?
Call me old-fashioned, but I only do my typing on a computer keyboard at home or in the newsroom – not behind the wheel.
NEW SIGNS
Most of us some time or another, have probably rolled through a stop sign in our neighborhood while rushing to and from work or to pick the kids up, but sooner or later it may become an accident waiting to happen.
Kudos to the Haverford Township police department for posting a “Rolling Stop Sign” violation warning sign in the Westgate Hills section of the township at Greenbriar Lane and Westgate Road.
The sign states: "Complete Stops Free -- Rolling Stops $108 -- Your Choice -- Courtesy of Haverford Twp. Police."
If that doesn't make an impression on drivers -- how such violations hit your wallet or pocketbook -- I don't know what will. Simply put, but it really gets across the message.
Also, there has been a visible effort by the Westgate Hills Civic Association to post yellow plastic “Please Slow Down” signs along busy Glen Gary Drive and Wendover Drive. There should be a new stop sign posted on Rose Tree Lane at Wendover to slow down motorists who speed on Rose Tree and/or cut around one-block-long Wendover as a shortcut. There are a lot of young children in these areas so outside motorists should be made aware to slow down.
SPRINGFIELD
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Thomson Avenue between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road (Route 320) in Springfield starting Wednesday for water main installation. The road will be closed through Oct. 22.
During construction, Thomson Avenue through traffic will be detoured over Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY
Today, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the right lane on I-76 East will be closed between South Street and Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia. The westbound right lane will be closed 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m., traffic will be restricted on I-76 East/West between City Line Avenue and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lower Merion and Upper Merion, Montgomery County, for line painting. Motorists are advised to maintain ample distance behind the line-painting trucks and stay off the traffic lines.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT WEEK
PennDOT, law enforcement agencies and other child safety advocates are emphasizing the lifesaving difference a child safety seat can make during the observance of National Child Passenger Safety Week starting today.
For a listing of events or to find the nearest fitting station, call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit www.pakidstravelsafe.org.
You must call first for an appointment.
Those unable to afford a safety seat can get help through PennDOT’s car-seat loaner program for needy and low-income families by calling the latter number.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Ridley Park – Sellers Avenue, Aqua Pennsylvania water main installation, lane restrictions between Chester Pike and Ward Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 25. Work began Aug. 27.
Tinicum – Wanamaker Avenue, utility installation by Aqua Pennsylvania, closed/detoured between Route 291 and Second Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 31. Work began July 21.
Blue Route (I-476) – conduit installation with possible lane closing between MacDade Boulevard and Baltimore Pike 10 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
Haverford – U.S. Route 1 North/South, bridge wall repairs at Farwood Road 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Media Bypass – Upper Providence, crack sealing with restricted lanes between Route 352 and I-476, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Darby – Lansdowne Avenue, PECO installation between Garrett and Marshall roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Work begins Monday.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 25. Work began Feb. 19.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.
posted by John Roman at
7:10 AM
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