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OBSERVATIONS
April 8, 2021 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
Is speeding on our highways going
to be "biggest threat to public safety"?
County Commissioner Tony Braswell said it during the Monday morning's meeting of the county's chief governing body.
Noting that traffic fatalities were up 18% in 2020 "despite the pandemic," he observed that "driving habits have changed drastically" --- particularly when it comes to speeding as well as "distracted driving" by folks who keep their eyes focused on their cell phones rather than the road ahead.
"I wish the state could give us some help... and send some folks out here... to deal with reckless driving," especially along heavily traveled I-95, he said.
"If we don't change this, it's going to be our biggest threat to public safety," Commissioner Braswell concluded.
He's not the only one among us who've been alarmed by such reckless behavior. It's apparent to this observer that folks are "pushing the envelope" regarding posted speed limits because they hardly ever see anyone "pulled" by a state trooper anymore.
I dare say there's a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a speeding ticket these days.
If things get much worse and the state doesn't provide the enforcement manpower needed to crack down on this menace, then we ought to start using surveillance cameras to ticket the worst offenders.
... and let's not forget the littering problem
County Commissioner Ted Godwin is just as passionate about cracking down on litterbugs, bringing up the subject once again at Monday's meeting. "Let's keep that in our forefront," he urged.
Mayor Andy Moore expressed his disgust with littering at Tuesday night's meeting of the Smithfield Town Council and called on citizens to volunteer for an upcoming "Litter Sweep" day in town. Here are the details:
Yes, a portion of the Greenway is now closed
About a quarter of a mile north of the boat ramp stands
this fence that marks the end of the line, temporarily,
for pedestrians and cyclists who enjoy using the Buffalo
Creek Greenway heading away from Downtown Smithfield. The
middle stretch of the three-mile trail snakes through the
grounds of the town's water-treatment plant, which is
being expanded by a construction project scheduled for
completion in the fall of 2022. Till then, we'll have two
shorter greenways: this one, which begins at the Bob
Wallace Jaycee Kiddie Park on Second Street, and another
leg extending southward from Community Park to Buffalo
Road but no farther.
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