Recently it was announced that the Missouri Department of Transportation was proposing that U.S. 71 be improved to Interstate Highway status.  At the present time the highway, running south of the city, is a divided highway with limited access.  To meet Federal standards to be approved as an Interstate Highway all at grade crossings, and driveways would have to be eliminated.  In addition, there would have to be outer belt roads constructed to provide access for homeowners located between intersections.

The goal would be to have an Interstate Highway providing direct access to New Orleans from Kansas City.  At the present time much of the truck traffic traveling from Kansas City to New Orleans travels east, to St. Louis, and then south.  If U.S. 71 was improved several miles would be eliminated from the normal route of travel.  This should then result in savings in time and expense for shipping to and from the middle gulf coast.

 

I was listening to the news the other day, about seatbelts.  The anchor was talking about how the police department and whoever else, were wanting to decrease the amount of accidents on the road with more people using seatbelts.  Hm...to me, a seatbelt has no control over the "accident situation".  A young lady was on there that survived a crash because she wore her seatbelt.  I understand that they want less people dying in car crashes, but unless we're God, making us wear our seatbelts is not going to send a direct signal up to Him.  If He wants us to come home, He's going to take us whether the seat belt is on us or off of us.  My husband hit a patch of ice when a car pulled out in front of him when he was going 35mph about 26 years ago, in a truck, with his 9 month old daughter and his cousin in the cab with him.  His daughter was in her car seat, belted in and he and his cousin were unbelted.  The truck flipped and threw all three of them out of the cab.  It crushed the top of the truck all the way to the floorboard of the truck.  It rolled over my husband and came to rest after rolling three times, with all three of them out of the truck, alive.  The police that arrived told my husband and his cousin that they were lucky that they weren't wearing their seatbelts or they would be alive.  My step-daughter is now 26 years old and has two beautiful kids of her own with one on the way.  She wears her seatbelt and takes care of her babies, however, my husband doesn't.  He knew that if it's his turn to go, the police and a seatbelt aren't going to stand in His way.  How can they tell us to wear our seatbelt when it's our choice to play roulet with God, not theirs.  If I'm going to die, I'm going to die.  Plain and simple.  It just blows my mind how they think that wearing a seatbelt is going to lower the amount of car accidents.  Too funny.

Ferenci was Monday sentenced to 12 weeks' jail after admitted two counts of dangerous driving at Oxford Crown Court.

Judge Terence Maher told Ferenci that he had carried out "lunatic and grossly irresponsible maneuvers at considerable speed,"  (130MPH)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/10/20/speeding
.motorcycle/index.html

 

If we jailed some of the idiots on our roads, possible just maybe. Not so many idiot's?

I drive a 1998 Mercury Mystique. The car is a 4 cylinder, 5 speed manual transmission. The fuel tank has 16.2 gallon capacity.

I believe that I can drive the car from Kansas City to Springfield, from Springfield to Poplar Bluff, from Poplar Bluff to St. Louis and from St. Louis back to Kansas City ON ONE TANK OF GAS!

I would like to promote this drive for a worthwhile charity.

Does anyone out there have ideas on a charity and how to promote this event?

The world we live in is so funny, that many times, we overlook the obvious. Who in their right mind comes up with the names for cars and trucks? And even more, are they influenced by peoples occupations? Let's check out a few car/truck names and put them with occupations. Bear in mind, I'm sure that I've overlooked a few. Let us begin, shall we?

Ford "Probe"................ Proctologist

Dodge "Ram"................Sheep Herder

VW "Beetle".................. Entomologist

Ford "Mustang"............Cowboy

Plymouth "Satellite"......Rocket Scientist

Dodge "Neon"................Power and Light worker

Ford "Aerostar"............ Astrologist

Mercury "Cougar".......... Park Ranger

Mercury "Marquis"......... Royalty

Chevrolet "Malibu".......... Beach bumb

Jeep "Patriot".................. Pro Football player in New England

Ford "Focus"..................... Photographer

Plymouth "Duster"............ Housewife

Chevrolet "Monte Carlo"............ Gambler

Shelby "Cobra".......................... Snake Charmer

Dodge "Viper"............................ Snake Handler

Plymouth "Barracuda"................. Fisherman

Chevrolet "Impala"...................... Deer hunter

Fiat "Spyder"............................... Exterminator

VW "Rabbit".................................Elmer Fudd (Of course)

VW "Jetta"................................... Airline Pilot

Ford "Galaxy 500".......................Astronomer

Pontiac "Grand Prix"................... Auto Racer

Pontiac "Vibe"............................. Musician

Pontiac "Bonneville".................... Salt Flats Racer

Toyota "Tundra"......................... Eskimo

Dodge "Challenger"...................... Bully

Chevrolet "Tahoe"........................Snow skier

Plymouth "Roadrunner"...................Wiley Coyote ()

Triumph "Spitfire"............................ WWII Fighter Pilot

Ford "Explorer"......................Archealogolist

Ford "Ranger"........................Duh, Let me think

Ford "Escape"..........................Convict

Pontiac "Firebird".....................Shaman

Ford "Taurus"...........................Bullfighter

Mercury "Sable"........................Furrier

Ford "Fiesta"............................Hispanics

Ford "Tempo"...........................Music Teacher

Okay, now my head's hurting. You have one to add to the list? Let's see it.

The mating season for deer is fast approaching, once again making them an unexpected hazard on our local highways.

At last count, I've seen 5 dead dear along I-35 from Brighton to the Hwy 152 exit.

Please use caution if you see deer standing near a road; their behavior is unpredictable, and they are likely to bolt right in front of your vehicle in a matter of seconds.

Does are being chased by the bucks, and the bucks don't stop for anything.

Hopefully, this will save you and the deer from having a very bad day.

 

And why you might ask?  Because I got rid of my piece of junk 1987 Chevy Celebrity before it died on it's own.  I truly hoped that you "Mr. Mercedes I own the road" would run a red light in front of me just so I could stick the nose of old whitey out in front of you so you could buy me a new car, but it didn't happen.

Or you "Miss cell phone queen putting on your makeup" would change lanes when ever you felt like it, instead of when it's actually clear.

But now I like my car so I hope you two just stay away from me now.

I've noticed that the traffic on I-35 resembles the samon swimming up stream during mating season. Cars stream by me in droves, all in a hurry to get to that first coffee break first. Regardless how fast i drive, i still get passed like a chiefs reciever when the ball gets thrown to him. Gone are the days when driving a car was a family outing, meant to be done as a measure of enjoyment, nowadays it's a quest, a quest to see who can pass the most. Accidents are tragic regardless of the severity, but i wonder just howmany could be avoided if we all just take a deep breath, plan our days just alittle bit better,and relax.Please to all you lawyers out there, road rage is not a disease, roadrage is what happens when you put someone with no self control ,behind the wheel of a 2 ton projectile at 70mph. It's no different than a child finding his parents revolver, and thinks it's a toy. Life is hard enough dealing with corruption at the executive levels of wall street,and trying to make a living, just remember one thing, when you make your car/suv a weapon, you run the risk of turning one second of sheer stupidity, into a lifetime of regret. Once you "pull the trigger" you can't ask for the bullet to come back.

"SPEED KILLS, SLOW DOWN AND LIVE!!!"

I've been a driver now, for well over 35 years. I took a drivers education course during my junior year in high school and was told by all of my instructors that I was already a good driver, but  to never stop trying to be better. Everyone has room for improvement, including myself. I am now, what is referred to as a professional driver. I drive a semi for a living and have been for 14 years with my current employer. I'm proud to say that I have only had one fender bender in that time frame, which speaks for my skills considering I drive an 18 wheeler in town. There's not much you can do when someone cuts you off and then decides to stop, without any reason. I still got a ticket, for following too close, which cost me $400. Oh well, right? My problem.

Over the past 20 years, I have seen people get more and more aggressive when they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. A yield sign was just that, when I started driving. You yielded to traffic when you came to these signs. Stop signs and traffic signals were strictly adhered to. If you saw someone run thru one of these, you were appalled and immediately started looking for a cop in the area. And more times than not, one was nearby and DID stop these people and they were ticketed.

NOW, OMG!!!! It's gotten to the point where you don't dare cross an intersection on foot without triple checking traffic. Pedestrians are literally chased out of crosswalks because someone just doesn't care to slow down for them. Stop signs have become yield signs and trafic signals have become a major inconvenience. The light turns yellow, speed up. Especially if the light turns red. Speed limits......they've become "recommended speeds" or the minimum speed to drive. This applies to city as well as highway.

Years ago, if you approached an on ramp, you moved over to allow the oncoming vehicle to enter the highway. If you couldn't move over, you slowed down. If you were unable to do either, the oncoming driver would slow down and merge with traffic when able. NOW......you better get out of the way. That car merging with traffic is hellbent on it and you're in their way. I've lost track of the number of times when I've been flipped off and even had things hurled at me because I didn't move out of someone's way, as they forced their way onto a highway. Instead of them yielding, the people on the highway are now supposed to yield, which causes more accidents than can be counted.

And when these people merge, they aren't content with one lane. They have to cross two and even three lanes in one fell swoop. And God help you if you're in their way. Emergency vehicles are always supposed to have the right of way. You see one approach, pull over and stop, if you can. No matter what, get out of their way. They are on the way to help someone. Not these days. NOW.......let's play chicken with the ambulance or fire truck. Sad thing is, if the emergency vehicle were going to these people's house, they'd be the first to stand in front of Fox 4's cameras, singing the blues about how their loved one would still be alive if......IF the ambulance, fire department, and/or police had gotten there sooner. And running from the police was totally unheard of. Not now. Apparently it's "cool" to run. Not caring who's life is taken in the process.

Look around for a cop, you'll find one.........after.......AFTER the wreck or gunfight or drive by. It's easier to pick up the pieces after the fact, apparently. That applies to city, county, and state. I've always been a huge advocate for the police. You see something happening, call. I always have and always will. But, nowadays, it seems to take longer and longer for them to arrive.

To me, it's truly sad, to see a young life ended because of a race thru town or on the highway. And apparently no one gives a damn to stop it. Wait, what did that lighted sign say? "Aggressive driving enforcement area ahead". Gimme a break. It should be enforced everyday, not certain times of the month or year. And shouldn't EVER have to announced with lighted signs.

It's obvious that people will have to continue yakking on their cell phones, drinking their coffee and combing their hair while they're driving. In some states, YOU will get a ticket doing these things. Unfortunately, Missouri and Kansas law makers don't see the problems with it. They "Talk" about doing something but.......all they do is talk. Seems to be the norm these days, huh?

You are at an intersection, you get a left green arrow to turn, oncoming traffic turning to the right, should wait until it is clear to turn right. True that when you turn left you turn into the left lane then signal and merge right .  Same as a right turn you turn into the right lane, signal the merge left. ( with exception to two left/right turn lanes)

When I go to work I  make a left at a turn signal then a very short distance I have to signal and merge right as to turn into where I work. I am getting so tired of people getting upset with me supposedly cutting them off. If they would yield as they should there would be no problem. But that is a major problem with a lot of driver, they do not want to yield to the right of way.

It's not so bad when I am in the truck, most respect a big truck, but when I am on the Harley your talking possibly my life...

So next time you get upset about someone else's driving think about what you just did first and you may just learn something.

Nick, Is there a way online to look at the "total traffic plus" feature that you have on your news, that shows all of the moving cars and scenery?

Should Fox 4 News have a Sky Fox? And Why!

Motorists switch satnav on, brain off An engine is seen in front of a destroyed car after a crash on a street between Germany's highway A3 and A45 near the city of Hanau, January 15, 2005. Motorists who seem to turn off their brain when switching on their car's satellite navigation system have had a number of spectacular crashes in the past year -- but occasionally they're right to blame the machine. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

By Erik Kirschbaum  |  December 22, 2006

BERLIN, Dec 22 (Reuters Life!) - Motorists who seem to turn off their brain when switching on their car's satellite navigation system have had a number of spectacular crashes in the past year -- but occasionally they're right to blame the machine.

Drivers obeying directions given by a sultry satnav voice have crashed into rivers, construction sites and roadside toilets in Germany, and had similar accidents in Britain.

"It's hard to understand how these things can happen," said Maximilian Maurer, spokesman for the German motoring club ADAC.

"It's not as if people are driving in a tank with only a small slit to see out. You'd think they have their own eyes and brains engaged to make decisions and not rely on the satnav. I used to think satnavs were 'idiot-proof', but perhaps not."

In October a 53-year-old German, obeying his satnav's command "Turn right now!" jerked the wheel over and crashed into a roadside toilet hut 30 metres (yards) before the crossing he was meant to take, causing 2,000 euros ($2,600) damage.

A few weeks earlier, an 80-year-old motorist also followed his satnav instead of common sense and ignored a "closed for construction" sign on a Hamburg motorway. He hit a pile of sand at high speed but was not hurt.

"I just thought the navigation system knew a shortcut," Volker Heinemann was quoted as telling a local newspaper. His car had to be towed away.

In southern England a 29-year-old woman survived unscathed after misreading her satnav and driving the wrong way on a motorway near Portsmouth at nearly 120 km (75 miles) per hour, according to a local newspaper.

When stopped after 22 km of dodging oncoming traffic, she told police she had only followed the satnav orders.

CHELTENHAM OR CHELMSFORD?

In early December, the American band "Viscount Oliver's Legendary Four Tops" missed their own sold-out concert in Cheltenham, southwest England, after following satnav directions to Chelmsford -- 220 km to the east.

"Whoever tapped the place into the satnav got it wrong," the band's tour manager Alan Frazer said.

An ambulance driver with a faulty satnav drove more than 600 km while transferring a patient from one hospital in Ilford east of London to another in Brentwood -- 13 km away. He was near Manchester, northern England, before realizing his error.

Experts say that as cars get smarter, some people seem to get dumber, and the problem increases as more vehicles are equipped with the devices. ADAC said one in three new cars in Germany has satnav, and retailers say they are among the top Christmas gifts in Germany this year.

Joachim Siedler, spokesman for market leader Blaupunkt, said it was absurd to blame the gadgets for human errors and noted motorists are clearly warned the devices are there to help, not to take decisions.

"If a traffic light is red it's obvious you have to stop even if the satnav says 'drive straight on'," he said. "People who drive into rivers and then blame their satnav are just too humiliated to accept blame themselves."

One German did drive his car into the Havel River near Berlin on a foggy Christmas Day. He said his satnav had made a ferry crossing look like a bridge.

ADAC spokesman Maurer said humans are ultimately responsible for the blunders but noted that satnavs are not infallible.

"I was on a motorway recently and my satnav said 'turn left now'," he said. "If I had done, I would have crashed into the guard rail. It was using an outdated, pre-motorway map."

© Copyright 2006 Reuters.

I don't know what the requirements are for the Metro bus drivers, but one of them certainly is not patience.  Taxi Drivers, Limo Drivers, Crazy People in there Hummer, they are nothing.  Just being any where near the Metro on the road is scary.  I would rather ride next to a semi traveling 70 MPH down I-70. 

I realize the little Metro cop guy is riding around in his Tauras making sure you are on time and all that good stuff.  But last time I checked the drivers manual I didn't see any exclusions for bus drivers.

If you're a Metro Bus driver I'm not trying to offend you.  I am sure there are probably some of you that are very good at your job, but you're not on the roads that I travel.

Passing on shoulders, merging out of the parking lanes when the people are on or off the bus, as opposed to when traffic is clear.  Have your kids show you 3 different colors and educate you on which of them mean in the traffic world.  RED, GREEN, YELLOW!

p.s.  If you were riding your bike down Burlington this morning in the bike lane, I bet that bus scared the hell out of you.  The bus driver mis-interpreted the sign that says bike lane. 

I have a news flash for you folks who own BUFSPs (Big Ugly Fuel Sucking Pigs). When you bought that Hummer, Durango, F150, Ram or any one of those BUFSPs, they didn't give you the deed to the roads along with the keys to the vehicle. Just because you are encased in what you believe is a battering ram don't think for a minute that you can drive up behind me and start flashing your headlights, honking your horn or make hand gestures that are going to cause me to go faster or move out of your way. I'm in the right hand lane unless traffic forces me into another lane and I'm traveling within the speed limit. If I'm not in the right hand lane I will get there just as soon as traffic allows.

If you can't judge speed and distance well enough to see that you are closing in on the car in front of you quickly and that YOU need to change lanes well before you are right  up on that other vehicle's tail then you shouldn't be on the road.

If you can't leave wherever you were in time to get to wherever you are going on time then you need to change your habits. I'm not going to change mine for you.

Get a life! If you have to be encased in a tank to express yourself seek help! A therapist might be able to help you wean yourself away from your personal felings of insecurity.

Gas is going to go back up pretty soon anyway and then you will be crying about how it costs you $200.00 per week to get back and forth to work and how you can't make ends meet!

(Springfield, MO) -- A person on a motorcycle is killed Tuesday morning in a crash at Le Compete and Division.  Springfield police say someone pulled into his lane and hit him head on.

The victim didn't appear to be wearing a helmet.  Police say sunlight may have caused the other driver to swerve.  No names have been released.

A spokesperson with the Missouri Highway Patrol says as more people turn to two wheels, the risk of accidents goes up.  In Springfield, the number of motorcycle fatalities has been going up, but experts say those accidents can be prevented with some education.

Many area motorcycle dealers are seeing a change in business.

"We're very low on inventory.  It's unheard of this time of the year.  We've seen an increase in motorcycle sales," said Jay Johnston, J.J.'s Cycle Incorporated general manager.
 
People are not only riding away with motorcycles, but information on how to be safe while on the road.  

"If you go down and you're sliding on skin, you're going to take a layer of skin off.  If you're sliding on a jacket, number one that style is going to provide an extra layer.  All the jackets have shoulder, elbow and back pads. So, that's an additional protection from impact," explains Johnston.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says it's seeing more inexperienced drivers on area highways.

"Motorcyclists are traditionally the most defensive drivers on the road.  So, as a vehicle driver, we need to really watch out for them.  We need to take second looks and we need to understand that they are sometimes hard to see," says Sgt. Dan Bracker, Missouri Highway Patrol.

Officers say there is a 20 percent chance of drivers getting into a fatality or injury crash in a vehicle and an 80 percent chance on a motorcycle.

"If someone is riding without a helmet, hopefully they'll be stopped by law enforcement prior to an accident and hopefully they'll look at it as our avenue of saving their life.  If we don't get to them before a crash, their chances of surviving that crash are very limited," says Bracker.

There are motorcycle helmet laws in many states including Missouri and Arkansas that help provide safety and protection to motorcycle riders.  Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire are the only four states without a motorcycle helmet law.

New Law Bans Big Trucks From Left Lane
Last Edited: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 3:50 PM CDT Created: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 2:50 PM CDT


There are some big changes for big trucks on Missouri interstates.
  
Starting Thursday, trucks weighing more than 48,000 pounds can no longer travel in the far left lane on highways in urban areas throughout the state.

Sgt. Scott Meyer said the areas most affected in the metro will be I-35 from Parvin Road to 210 Highway and I-29 from 169 to KCI Airport.

This applies mostly to semi and heavy-freight trucks and the rules will be enforced in Missouri's urban areas.
  
Trucks will not be banned from the left lane in rural parts of the state.

Missouri State Troopers said this new law will affect the St. Louis area more, since they have more interstates that are three lanes in each direction.

Semis over the weight limit will still be able to ride in the far left lane if there's construction or an accident, but otherwise they'll have to drive in center or right lane.

If truckers are caught in the far left lane, it's a moving violation.


THANK YOU, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem, but since moving to my new neighborhood in May I notice more and more cars everyday parking in the street.  First off, sure it's legal so no big deal right.  Well, I'm just curious why you bought that house with that nice double wide driveway that you never use.  There is no basketball goal setup so you can't use that excuse.  You don't have kids in your driveway making a hopscotch board with big fat chalk.  So why do you want to park your brand new F150 or Accura in the road.  Are you hoping it gets hit?  I guess people are just strange like that.

Oh I know why, it's so you have actually walk more than 10 feet to your door, then you can call it excercise.  Well maybe not!

What is up with drivers around here?  I think the driving schools lack the ability to teach these people how to drive.  I learned in a rural area and we were taught how to be considerate and patient.  Good golly, I feel like I get enemas all day while driving around here.  The streets are filled with people whose main mentality is "I gotta be first".  I am tired of avoiding accidents due to some nin-come-poop behind the wheel.  I have asked people  about it and was told, "that is how we drive in the JO."  Well you suck!  Even in parking lots, it doesn't matter if you are nearly out, if the other person thinks their huge honking vehicle can fit through the dime space they will try to do it.  Give me a break! 

I can't tell you how many accidents could be avoided if your drivers learned a few lessons in true driving courtesy.  I am a great driver and until moving up here with you crazy people, didn't fret driving.  I thought Wichita had its fair share of jerks.  In the last three years I have come to realize this place has the garbage can full of them. 

A few lessons to help you survive.....    1. Use your turn signals they are there for a reason we don't read minds.  2.  When you see the back up lights it doesn't mean act as a moth and fly as fast as you can into them.  3.  If the light is yellow slow down and if it is red your cousin Bob could be on the other side waiting to fly through so count to 10 before preceeding.  4.  Turn signals are a sign of things to come, NOT permission to merge... when you have to empty lanes to your left and mine is ending, MOVE OVER.  5.  This may not be the country but we still occasionally have animals try to cross the road so keep some distance from my booty.  6.  Speed limits are not created for you to double or triple, especially in an area where trees are plentiful.  7.  Just because some moron gave you a license, DOES NOT mean you have to use it.  8.  Hang up your phone and drive especially when it is around construction, I prefer to go home alive.  9.  Take the bus, it would lengthen your life, especially if you have more than one accident on your record.  and lastly... 10.  Cars are meant to be driven not rode hard. 

 Take some lessons somewhere else if you repeatedly miss points 1-10.

What is up with drivers around here?  I think the driving schools lack the ability to teach these people how to drive.  I learned in a rural area and we were taught how to be considerate and patient.  Good golly, I feel like I get enemas all day while driving around here.  The streets are filled with people whose main mentality is "I gotta be first".  I am tired of avoiding accidents due to some nin-come-poop behind the wheel.  I have asked people  about it and was told, "that is how we drive in the JO."  Well you suck!  Even in parking lots, it doesn't matter if you are nearly out, if the other person thinks their huge honking vehicle can fit through the dime space they will try to do it.  Give me a break! 

I can't tell you how many accidents could be avoided if your drivers learned a few lessons in true driving courtesy.  I am a great driver and until moving up here with you crazy people, didn't fret driving.  I thought Wichita had its fair share of jerks.  In the last three years I have come to realize this place has the garbage can full of them. 

A few lessons to help you survive.....    1. Use your turn signals they are there for a reason we don't read minds.  2.  When you see the back up lights it doesn't mean act as a moth and fly as fast as you can into them.  3.  If the light is yellow slow down and if it is red your cousin Bob could be on the other side waiting to fly through so count to 10 before preceeding.  4.  Turn signals are a sign of things to come, NOT permission to merge... when you have to empty lanes to your left and mine is ending, MOVE OVER.  5.  This may not be the country but we still occasionally have animals try to cross the road so keep some distance from my booty.  6.  Speed limits are not created for you to double or triple, especially in an area where trees are plentiful.  7.  Just because some moron gave you a license, DOES NOT mean you have to use it.  8.  Hang up your phone and drive especially when it is around construction, I prefer to go home alive.  9.  Take the bus, it would lengthen your life, especially if you have more than one accident on your record.  and lastly... 10.  Cars are meant to be driven not rode hard. 

 Take some lessons somewhere else if you repeatedly miss points 1-10.