Rolling stops
One recent morning, I had to stop at the Brainerd post office. Afterwards, I
had about 20 minutes to kill, so I sat in my car across the street from the
post office and watched the traffic.
In that time, I saw 87 vehicles eastbound on Laurel St. go into the right
hand lane to turn south onto 5th St. SE. Only one vehicle came to a stop at
the stop sign before turning. The rest just took a glance and rolled right on
through the stop sign. One roller was a Brainerd police car!
When I took driver’s education 45 years ago, I was taught that one comes to a
COMPLETE stop at a stop sign (or light), and THEN looks to see if traffic
conditions would allow one to proceed safely before continuing. Stop meant
STOP.
If the city is in need of additional revenue, I can think of one way for it
to easily generate some in a self-funded manner.
Brian Marsh
Brainerd
Comments (10)
Add commentWow, I think we have bigger
Wow, I think we have bigger problems in Brainerd to worry about.
Someone has way too much time
Someone has way too much time on their hands.
You should carry a push broom
You should carry a push broom and trash can with you so rather than wasting time watching those sinful drivers, you could clean up a little at that intersection. Or pack a 12 ga. and take pot a few shots at 'them , that would learn 'em a thing or two.
Valid Point
Thank you Brian for bringing up such a valid point. No thanks to the other commenters who are rude and not seeing the bigger picture. Yes there are other issues but these are a few issues that will "Bring in a revenue" <--------Bigger Picture
Our state/county has been in a financial crisis for several years now and they are looking in all areas to cut financing to save money. Why cut financing when if the cops do their job correctly they could be pulling in financing to increase revenue. I'm talking about ticketing when a blinker isn't used when merging or turning (this is also very courteous to other drivers as it lets them know what you are doing), when making a turn a vehicle only moves one lane not two, tailgating, running stop signs or red lights, ticketing people for using the passing lane as a cruise lane, etc... If people followed the rules of the road traffic would move 5X faster and more fluently. By people just doing their own things and thinking about themselves they are putting others at danger for a crash. The whole point for the rules of the road is so that everyone can travel safely not because they want to limit what people can do. A seat belt law is controlling the people because a seat belt effects only one person where stop signs, blinkers, and other road signs/rules may affect a whole group of people.
I agree that their are bigger issues out there, but this is a simple way to increase revenue and to teach people the proper way to use the road which would cut down on accidents and save other people and companies money. Every accident someone gets into effects insurance rates which eventually go up for other people too because they have to cover for the people who don't follow the rules of the road. Dealing with the small things prevents the big things from happening. Also we are spending our tax money on police officers who aren't doing their jobs properly. I know I would get written up at work if I didn't do my job the way I was suppose to so why are they any different? If my money is paying for them to do their job than I expect their job to be done. Searching for problems isn't the same as dealing with the ones right in front of you. If the cops did their jobs correctly there would be less accidents, more revenue for our county, and a much safer city.
For you but not me
Yes it a minor issue, but it is there for a good reason and should be obeyed. Wait until someone does one of those rolling stops, does not see the pedestrian and hits the pedestrian. It WILL make a difference when the lawsuit comes around. Odds of that happening to anyone particular person are slim. BUT, I sure as heck do not want to be the one in a hurry, rolling through the stop sign and hit someone. Takes literally a few seconds to stop, look, and proceed. Seems like a lot of people do not think the rules apply to them, or nothing will happen to them, just the other guy. Behaviors speak much louder than words and it does tell you a great majority of people really do not follow traffic rules. Just like the speed limits, go 65 on the 4 lane 371 South and see how many pass you. Once in a while you will even get "the bird" as someone passes you while your driving the speed limit.
Brian may I...
May I suggest a hobby or maybe volunteer with some of your extra time, perhaps teach school children to count, seems you have a knack for that
Based upon the comments of
Based upon the comments of the first 3 posters and rejo0203, I can only assume that they see absolutely no problem with people rolling through stop signs. Perhaps, they were some of the guilty ones who caught my eye. Also, THEY seem to be the ones who have way too much time on their hands, to waste it posting ridiculous comments.
For rejo0203: FYI, when I was watching the traffic scofflaws, I was waiting for the time to come to report to my volunteer job at the history museum, which is a block away.
Brian ...
... do you ensure that visitors to the history museum stop before entering and exiting? Wouldn't want any rollers in there!
lendad: Another ridiculous,
lendad: Another ridiculous, childish response!
Unbelievable!
Not even worth commenting on anymore.
Brian,
you reap what you sow !!!