[SDCBC] FW: Story on SR67

[Kathy Keehan]

Channel 8 just ran a story about traffic safety on the 67 corridor. Some
students at a local middle school made a video about some of the victims of
crashes and encouraged people to drive more slowly and carefully.
Unfortunately, there was one line in the video that discussed using the
'extra space' on the edges of the road and instead to put that space in the
middle and put up a k-rail to avoid head-on collisions. And more
unfortunately, Mr. Zevely decided that should be the focus of the story he
put together for the newscast. You can see it at
http://www.cbs8.com/stories/story.86751.html 

Caltrans also responded to the story and emphasized why you can't just take
shoulder space and turn it into space in the median and expect it to improve
safety (Thanks to Pedro Delgado for sticking up for shoulder space! I like
being able to say 'yea, Caltrans!'). 

Anyway, just so you are aware of the situation and are aware of the
Coalition's response below.

Kathy

 

From: Kathy Keehan [mailto:execdir at sdcbc.org] 
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 5:47 PM
To: 'jzevely at kfmb.com'
Subject: Story on SR67

 

Dear Mr. Zevely,

 

I just saw your story on the video produced by students regarding safety
improvements on SR67. I want to applaud the students, especially Rebecca
Nolin, for their hard work and dedication to making safety a priority in the
corridor, and I think they have an important message to share with the rest
of the County.

 

Unfortunately, I think that your story didn't really do them justice. Their
video talked a lot about safe driving, slowing down, getting off the cell
phone and paying attention while driving. Good messages all. There was one
line in it about removing the shoulders/bike lanes along SR67 and using that
space for putting a barrier in the median instead. But your story focused
almost exclusively on that 'solution' to the safety problems on SR67. 

 

A 'solution' that makes it more dangerous for people bicycling, walking, or
stranded in their broken-down vehicles in the traffic lane is no solution at
all. 

 

State Route 67 has too many crashes. All the roadways in the County have too
many crashes. Too many people are dying on our roadways - motorists,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. Let's focus on solutions that make it safer for
everyone, not safer for some at the expense of others. 

 

I hope that in the future when you report on the tragedy that is roadway
safety in San Diego County you will be a little more careful about the
message you send and how you put the story together. You had an opportunity
to emphasize things that would really make a safety difference on SR67 and
everywhere - pay attention, drive a little slower. I'm sorry that you didn't
take the opportunity to  send that message. 

 

Kathy

-----------------------------------------------

Kathy Keehan

Executive Director

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

P.O. Box 34544

San Diego, CA 92163

858.487.6063

execdir at sdcbc.org

 

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