Changing The Law
It seems to me that many of our traffic laws (and most laws) are basically designed for the most idiotic among us. Most of us are not idiots, but I guess enough of us are that we all need to bow to the lowest common denominator. An example....Stop signs. The law says that you have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign before proceeding. However, often you can see that there is nobody coming as you are stopping and although it would be 100% safe to proceed, or "role" thru the stop sign, this is illegal. Why? Because there are enough idiots among us who would abuse that right and role on thru right over a pedestrian or into another car...I guess. I think that anybody dumb enough to do this, probably causes accidents anyway.
If the law was changed to allow "rolling" thru a stop sign at no more than five miles an hour, and only if there were no approaching automobiles say within half a block or 100 feet, we would get better gas mileage, brakes would last longer, and traffic would flow smoother. Dumb idea? Great idea? What do you think?
Comments
Joe, I agree with you that changing "the law to allow "rolling" thru a stop sign at no more than five miles an hour, and only if there were no approaching automobiles say within half a block or 100 feet, we would get better gas mileage, brakes would last longer, and traffic would flow smoother," is a good idea. Many years ago in San Francisco, I made a rolling stop at an intersection going no more than 5mph. There wasn't a car in sight, except a police officer on his bike with his light off. It happened to be at night. I got a ticket. There are so many people who drive at excessive speeds, driving through red lights, often causing serious injury and death to others. The police should be very busy going after those drivers, and leave the drivers who make rolling stops while making sure that the intersections are clear, alone.
Joe's reply....Thank you Walter
Posted by: Walter Ballin | August 4, 2008 11:38 PM
Dumb. First, it assumes that we are all created equal. We aren't. Second, not all intersections are created equal... and last, my 5 mph might be your 2 mph and someone else's 10 mph.
Joe's reply....if I were assuming we are all created equal, why would I be talking about the idiots among us? If you went thru at 10 miles an hour, you would be subject to a ticket for running a stop sign. The idea here is....try pushing a car from a dead stop compared to a slow role....much easier if it's rolling, right? Therefore it takes much less energy, or gasoline, to get the car moving if you don't have to completely stop. Whats dumb about that?
Posted by: Steven | August 5, 2008 08:22 AM
Joe, The thought never occurred to me before that making a rolling stop at an intersection when there are no cars within 100 feet, actually saves energy. It makes sense to me.
Joe's reply....I don't know how to calculate it, but I'd be willing to bet that for a person who does a lot of in town driving, it may add a half mile or so per gallon. If you calculate that thruout the state, it adds up quick.
Posted by: Walter Ballin | August 5, 2008 05:01 PM