Traffic Justice Putting Traffic Deaths into Perspectives

Traffic Justice: Putting Traffic Deaths into Perspectives

Yesterday's news about a plane crash in Kentucky that killed 49 people was the first fatal airline crash since October 9, 2004 when 13 people died on an American Connection flight in Kirksville, MO. The news of the crash took up significant airtime of all the major news channels

Contrast that to the approximately 115 people that died yesterday in traffic crashes, and in the 678 days since the Kirksville MO plane crash 78,000 people have died on our roads. Sadly many of those deaths will only be noted in the "police blotter" section of local papers and others will not be reported on at all. I have yet to hear a TV news team run an "Are You Safe" scare story on being hit by motor vehicles.

Perhaps it's because of the severity of plane crashes that the emphasis by the FAA and NTSB has been on crash prevention, Howard Stern once mentioned on his radio show that his anxiety about flying vs driving was based on the fact that he never heard of an "airline fender bender". Airline crash prevention strategies have worked and in recent years airline safety performance has been a phenomenal success.

But when it comes to road safety we look at crash impact reduction, an attempt at reduce all crashes to "fender benders". Seat belts, air bags, helmets etc. When proposal's brought forward that that monitor driver actions or change behavoir (red light cameras, cell phone restrictions, black boxes) many scream that these measures infringe on their"right to privacy".

Last week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the fatality report for 2005 Traffic Deaths were up 1.4% and for the first time in many years deaths per million vehicle miles traveled went up. Clearly our national safety strategies seem to stalling.

And when you look at vulnerable road users - Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists the news is worse; deaths are up 5% for pedestrians and 7% for bicyclists and motorcyclists. Clearly the best airbags in the world will do nothing to protect us that are exposed to the elements.

Streaming Bike on Bus Video

Streaming Bike on Bus Video

BCGP volunteer Emily Gavin demonstrates how to load a bike on the bus without the heavy lifting.



Google Video allows you to upload your videos to the internet and place them on you website or blog for online streaming.

The Ditty Bops Bike Into Philadelphia

The Ditty Bops Bike Into Philadelphia

Folk duo The Ditty Bops will be at the World Cafe at 31st and Walnut tomorrow at 7PM. Tickets are $12 Call 215-222-1400. Bring your bike and wear a helmet and get a $2 discount when you purchase tickets.

http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1449

The Ditty Bops have been touring the country via bicycle starting in California in May and ending in NYC on Wednesday. On Tuesday the Ditty Bops will be biking to NYC and they invite anyone to ride with them.
http://www.thedittybops.com/shows.htm

House Bill 2679 Could Quash Safe Routes to School

House Bill 2679 Could Quash Safe Routes to School

The legislation, authored by Rep. Eugene McGill, would reduce the distance that school districts can ask students to walk to school, from one-and-a-half miles to three-quarters of a mile for elementary school children, and from two miles to one-and-a-half-miles for secondary students.

More buses, more diesel, more money to run more buses and fewer children walking and biking to school. Clearly the opposite goals of Safe Routes to School. There is a good editorial in the Harrisburg Patriot News that argues that Rep. McGill has it backwards, that children need to walk more, not less.

Send an email to Rep. Eugene McGill

Upper Pottsgrove Boy Killed in Bicycle Crash

Upper Pottsgrove Boy Killed in Bicycle Crash

According to the Pottstown Mercury a 12 YO Upper Pottsgrove boy was killed as he was riding out of a driveway on Wednesday August 16th.

If the police reports are correct then it's likely that the victim made a common mistake; riding out of driveways or alleys is a major cause of youth bicycle crashes. Its unfortunate that our education system fails to train our youth to safely operate a bicycle. Our sympathies go out to family of the victim.

Bike Lanes Blocked on Grays Ferry Bridge

Bike Lanes Blocked on Grays Ferry Bridge

PENNDOT has closed the bike lanes aon the Grays Ferry Bridge for construction. Grays Ferry Avenue is reduced to one lane in each direction on the bridge over the Schuylkill River for deck repair, concrete patching and resurfacing.

PENNDOT's policy is to provide safe passage to bicycles and pedestrians through construction zones but it is rarely implemented. We have had a similar problem with the bike lane being blocked at 6th St at Franklin Square, it is still blocked by a concrete barricade.

Here is the national standard on accommodating bicycles and pedestrians through construction zones in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices

CHAPTER 6F. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL ZONE DEVICES
Section 6F.01 Types of Devices

Support:
Whenever the acronym “TTC” is used in this Chapter, it refers to “temporary traffic control”.

Standard:
The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians within the highway, including persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title II, Paragraph 35.130) through a TTC zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations, and the management of traffic incidents.

Guidance:
The design and application of TTC devices used in TTC zones should consider the needs of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians), including those with disabilities.

Schuylkill River Trail Map Up

Schuylkill River Trail Map Up

We have posted a google map of the entire trail from Locust St to Green Lane with points of interest, camping, parking and transit info.


View Larger Map