INC NEWS - Durham does need a change...

[Newman Aguiar]

Mike,

 

Who can argue with safety?  The safety argument does not hold water in this
instance.  If fact, the safety argument has been grossly misused by this
proposal.  The DOT has done many studies on pedestrian safety at
intersections and it is clear that intersections are not safe places for
pedestrians.  However, in the case of pan handlers or street side vendors,
what little information is available, actually suggests that their risk is
less than that of the average pedestrian crossing the street.  If you think
about it, there is a logical explanation for this phenomenon.  

 

To give you one alternative . if safety of pedestrian/drivers is truly the
concern, there is a growing body of very strong evidence of the very real
and critical hazards associated with the use of cell phones in vehicles.  If
the commissioners are concerned about safety, banning the use of cell phones
would have a more direct and dramatic effect on both pedestrian and driver
safety.

 

Also, as noted by many posters, this proposal is not applicable within city
limits and would not address ''the problem" you describe.  For good reasons,
the Durham City Council has previously rejected by overwhelming majority a
similar proposal in the past.

 

Cheers.

 

Newman

 

 

  _____  

From: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike - Hotmail
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 11:52 AM
To: inc-list at durhaminc.org
Subject: Re: INC NEWS - Durham does need a change...

 

All,

 

A week ago from last Thursday (Sept 27th) as I was returning from Raleigh on
70 at the Miami five points intersection and observed a woman in one of
those orange vests carrying a white five gallon bucket for some charity or
another.

 

I problem, as I saw it,  wasn't so much the soliciting of funds but the
manner in which it was being carried out............in the middle of the
intersection!

 

This particular 'fundraiser'  took it upon herself to leave the safety of
the median and walk up to each vehicle as it came to the stop light,
sometimes weaving inbetween lanes on foot to get to just one more car before
the light turned green!

 

In my opinion, this behavior not only jeopardized her own life but the
safety and smooth operation of those individuals traveling down a very busy
state highway in a car weighing in excess of a couple of tons.

 

Addressing different problems with different solutions must be recognized
for the benefit they impart to the community.

 

Trying to convince people that one proposal will solve another is a dilemma
that only good education (and hopefully this listserve provides some of
that) can solve.

 

Durham,  Can you spare a change is a volunteer effort to help provide an
alternative for residents to consider before giving money directly to
panhandlers.

 

The County Commissioners are considering a proposed ordinance to deal with
another (safety on our streets and thoroughfares).

 

One is not meant to supplant the other.   However each of them, if
implemented may supplement one another!  

 

I for one,  support both!

 

Mike Shiflett

 

 

 

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