Strict traffic law enforcement is very unpopular with voters. Our social contract these past 50 years or more says people get to demand all the traffic rules they want, because nobody wants to be against "safety", on the condition that the rules are not enforced. Speed cameras are a great example. For decades we have had the technology to yank the licenses of people who even occasionally go 35 in a 30 zone. Three strikes and you're walking. No escaping the lens. But that is not politically acceptable. Even the most rabidly anti-driver cities are asking for cameras that by law could not be used for safety, for revoking licenses, for accident investigation, or for raising insurance rates. The perennial camera authorization bills in Massachusetts say the only legal use of cameras is to collect $50 or so from the car's owner. Not the driver, the owner, because it would be illegal to take a picture of the driver. It is understood that these non-moving violations would be targeted at people without political power. Pro Publica had a story about cameras in DC being put in poor black neighborhoods. Just in case a VIP got caught anyway, the Massachusetts bills would allow ticket fixing by local politicians. Because traffic law enforcement is tolerated when it's "us against them" and not when it's "us against us."
If you want to try an experiment, form a team of volunteers to drive 20 mph around town when and where you think traffic should be slow. It will work. I think you will be asked to stop. Somebody on the list observed that a speed trap on Tower Road caught somebody down the street. I have no reason to think that Lincoln residents and their guests and employees drive any differently than the population at large. On Sat, Sep 2, 2023 at 9:38 AM gail o'keefe <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi John and all, > > I'm curious why your list of ideas didn't include increased enforcement on > our road, or speed bumps? It wouldn't take much to reinstate the reputation > of Lincoln as being strict on speed. Bakers Bridge Road is another to add to > the above list of Sandy Pond, Weston Road, Tower Rd and Lincoln Rd. > > An article in the Globe just highlighted the extensive use of speed bumps in > Somerville. Towns are catching on that the car culture has run its course. > Gail > > > On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 2:40 PM John Mendelson <[email protected]> > wrote: >> >> Here's a handful of ideas: >> >> Come to the next BPAC meeting on September 28 at 7:30pm on Zoom. >> >> Speak to your friends and neighbors about the need to slow down and focus >> only on driving when behind the wheel. >> >> Encourage your local and state representatives to prioritize public and >> alternative forms of transportation. >> >> Volunteer as a crossing guard during Walk, Bike, Roll to School Week in the >> Spring. >> >> Walk back and forth along Lincoln Road between Town Hall and the 5 way >> between 7:45-8am to observe how many people are on their phones behind the >> wheel. >> >> Attend an RTC meeting and voice your support for infrastructure improvements >> that lower speeds and prioritize walkers and cyclists. >> >> Try to eliminate 1 vehicle trip per week and walk or ride instead. >> >> Thanks, >> >> John >> >> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 2:21 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> This is terrible. >>> It should NOT be happening…but, I for one will do whatever I can to protect >>> myself, including wearing that ugly vest. >>> At this time, that is all I can do. >>> We can come together, as a region, and discuss how we might be proactive, >>> as communities. >>> How can we turn outrage from finger-wagging and furor into practical >>> constructive actions? >>> >>> >>> ------ >>> Sara Mattes >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Aug 31, 2023, at 2:12 PM, John Mendelson <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> People, a SCHOOL BUS hit a cyclist in broad daylight. This is not about >>> what anyone should be wearing but rather about the fact that driving >>> entitlement is reaching epidemic proportions here in Lincoln and all across >>> the country. >>> >>> Much like gun-violence, there is plenty of outrage and lots of thoughts and >>> prayers and high-vis clothing suggestions but until we are willing to >>> confront the fact that traffic safety is a uniquely American problem and a >>> result of high vehicle speeds, larger cars, and road structure >>> deficiencies, nothing will change. >>> >>> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-11-03/why-us-traffic-safety-fell-so-far-behind-other-countries >>> >>> The US underperformance in road safety is especially dramatic: 11.4 >>> Americans per 100,000 died in crashes in 2020, a number that dwarfs >>> countries including Spain (2.9), Israel (3.3) and New Zealand (6.3). And >>> unlike most developed nations, US roadways have grown more deadly during >>> the last two decades (including during the pandemic), especially for those >>> outside of cars. Last year saw the most pedestrians killed in the US in 40 >>> years, and deaths among those biking rose 44% from 2010 to 2020. >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 2:01 PM Laura Koller <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> I’m also a long time road cyclist, and I feel much more visible since I’ve >>>> added front (white) and rear (red) blinkers to my bike. Passing cars seem >>>> to give me much wider berth. It’s an extra step but seems very worthwhile. >>>> I also wear a day-glo green helmet. Visibility really does make a >>>> difference, imo. >>>> >>>> Laura >>>> >>>> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 1:54 PM V Saleme <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> As a cyclist who resides in this town and accrues on average 250 miles a >>>>> week between trails and the road, I believe it’s important to devise a >>>>> way of getting out of this echo chamber and speak to the broader group of >>>>> people who, let’s face it, use this town as a cut through. They are the >>>>> problem, not the local residents. >>>>> >>>>> If I had to hazard to guess, they’re (non Lincoln residents) not on >>>>> Lincoln Talk and as they execute twice the speed limit minimally, on >>>>> Tower Rd., Deerhaven Rd., Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln Road, Bedford Road >>>>> (where there’s an actual sign that states “cyclists may use entire lane” >>>>> if you can believe it) thus head nodding amongst ourselves is not going >>>>> to be effective. >>>>> >>>>> Vic >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 1:41 PM John Mendelson <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> And I would strongly urge drivers to slow down, obey the law, and pay >>>>>> attention to what is in front of them at all times when behind the wheel >>>>>> of a large, powerful object capable of inflicting terrible injuries to >>>>>> walkers, cyclists, and other drivers. >>>>>> >>>>>> There is no clear consensus that high-visibility clothing makes a >>>>>> difference for pedestrian nor cyclist safety so let's please avoid any >>>>>> potential victim-blaming. >>>>>> >>>>>> See: >>>>>> >>>>>> https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default/files/document/2023/08/21-03_ca_hi-vis_brf_1.pdf >>>>>> (includes multiple peer reviewed studies) >>>>>> >>>>>> and >>>>>> >>>>>> https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/hi-viz-clothing-cyclists/ >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> >>>>>> John >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 1:21 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I would strongly urge all walkers and bikers to wear some sort of neon/ >>>>>>> reflective safety vest. >>>>>>> They are lightweight and cheap and they really help drivers see us. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Dark clothing, esp at dusk or in mottled shade, makes us disappear. >>>>>>> ------ >>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Aug 31, 2023, at 12:47 PM, Lynne Smith <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Fascinating article! As a helmet and goggle wearing cyclist, I’m now >>>>>>> going to be extra careful since some drivers might not recognize me as >>>>>>> human! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Lynne Smith >>>>>>> 5 Tabor Hill Road >>>>>>> Lincoln, MA 01773 >>>>>>> 781-258-1175 >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 31 Aug 2023, at 11:24 a.m., Ginger Reiner <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Julianne, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> That was me. I actually was hit by the school van in the interaction >>>>>>> although I stayed upright and am not hurt. Thanks for reaching out and >>>>>>> I’d love a witness statement. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To the rest of LincolnTalk, I write this as a reply-all because people >>>>>>> on bikes are sometimes viewed as “less human” or seen as being “not >>>>>>> from Lincoln” (which shouldn’t matter), and I hope that attaching my >>>>>>> name to Julianne’s story might help to counteract both of those >>>>>>> impressions. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847823001018 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ginger >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 8:59 AM jsug--- via Lincoln >>>>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi There, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> If you are the cyclist who was nearly hit by the school van on Lincoln >>>>>>>> Road this morning just before 8 am, and you were hoping to report >>>>>>>> this, I wanted to let you know I would be happy to provide witness >>>>>>>> statement if needed. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>> Julianne >>>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. 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