Editor:
In response to Charlene Penner's tongue-in-cheek letter regarding high crash location signs (Coast Reporter, Jan. 25), it must be pointed out that, "...improvements such as shoulder widening, turning lanes, level intersections, road widening, curve reductions, sight improvement, hydro pole removal and rigorous maintenance of pot holes," etc, would not, unfortunately, make our roads any safer, as she intimates, but would simply encourage traffic on our streets to travel at higher speeds.
I think it's well accepted that straighter, wider, smoother roads with long sight lines have the rather predictable consequence of encouraging faster driving. It's human nature, I'm afraid.
I'm quite sure Ms Penner doesn't really want more vehicles travelling at higher speeds through her neighbourhood. Nobody does. And I'm equally sure that if all these suggested improvements were implemented, we would then be confronted with the challenge of how to slow traffic down on the streets of Roberts Creek. Speed bumps, anyone?
No, it's probably best to leave the curves just where they are and the roads a little narrow, and learn to avoid the potholes and the hydro poles. And, most importantly, learn to slow down and enjoy the drive.
As for those high crash location signs, they have two purposes: they get us to pay attention, and they encourage us to slow down. That's what's really needed.
Jon Hird
Sunshine Coast Speed Watch
