PatrickOBrien's posts about:
Traffic
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Are the signs helping?
Jul 5, 2008 | 8:22 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
It's been over a month now since the Missouri Department of Transportation turned on this experiment along I-270. MoDOT is claiming this will keep traffic flowing smoothly on the state's busiest highway. They also said that reducing the speed limit during peak times will reduce the
stop-and-go traffic that can increase travel times and the likelihood
of accidents.
Sooooo, how has it been so far?
Same car, same time, same lot
Feb 7, 2008 | 10:18 AM PST
Category:
Traffic
OK, this really stumps me. There is the same car at the same time on the same lot that I see on the way to work. The car is in McDonald's lot parked and running on two or three days a week. And it's a nice Mercedes. Why is this? Carpool? Drug deals? I'm confused. Any ideas?
Web Poll: Bad accidents
Jan 24, 2008 | 10:01 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
We've all experienced it...it's hard to look away sometimes when you pass that bad accident. So I throw this out there for discussion....
Any other thoughts? Leave them below.
Web Poll: Need directions!
Jan 21, 2008 | 5:00 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
Please take a minute and fill out this informal poll. Any comments you have will be greatly appreciated as well. I've always wondered what is being used the most, and now's my chance.
Bookmark my page and come back to see results! This is gonna get good! Have a friend that you think should vote in this poll?
Click here to tell them!
Driving and TXTing
Jul 9, 2007 | 10:20 AM PST
Category:
Traffic
The problem with driving and texting is going to be a hot issue in the near future, if not already. Al Tompkins from The Poynter Institue notes in his morning report that our FOX affiliate in Minneapolis aired a report called "InTEXTicated" and they showed that of the 161 teens responding, 160 had a cell phone, and of those phones, 157 have
a text-messaging feature. Talking while driving seemed prevalent -- 148 teens or 91%. Still more
surprising was the 140 teens -- 86 % -- who said they read incoming text
messages while driving. 58 say they do it every day.
It gets worse. 122 say they also write text messages while driving -- and 42 of those teens say this happens daily. Surprising numbers since 76 teens surveyed said they had at least one close call while messaging, including 11 who have had more than one brush with danger.
The tests show that at times, the kids are taking their eyes off the road for a
full three seconds. Close your eyes and count: "one, one thousand." "Two, one
thousand." "Three, one thousand." Think about how far you would have traveled on
a highway in that time.
With unlimited TXT plans out there, and with people becoming more mobile-savvy than ever, one of these days, there's gonna be an accident, and texting will be to blame. Will they come out with a hands free texting mechanism? Why not just start saving lives now and come up with some great devices! Can kids safety text and drive?
Highway 40 Drivearounds?
Jan 19, 2007 | 6:12 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
The myFOX Web Team will be putting together a list of the best drivearounds for the upcoming Highway 40 construction. Amazingly, none of us drive past the future construction area, but we want to hear from those that do.
Please leave comments below, and we'll pick the best routes and post them in the Traffic section of this site. Many thanks!
Bumper Stickers
Dec 13, 2006 | 12:45 AM PST
Category:
Traffic
There you are. Stuck in traffic. Nothing to do. Seen any good bumper stickers? Maybe there's one on your vehicle right now you can share?
I liked the one that said, "Keep Honking, I'm Reloading."
How far do you commute?
Oct 12, 2006 | 2:14 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
I was talking with our assignment editor BOOGEDY Bond yesterday, and he said we just hired another assignment editor that lives in Florissant...but before we hired him, he commuted everyday for 5 years to CAPE GIRARDEAU! That's over 2 hours each way!
How long is your daily commute?
I have Sirius Satellite Radio that keeps me company on the road, but what do you do to keep yourself sane?
The Longest Stoplight in Town
Oct 5, 2006 | 12:54 AM PST
Category:
Traffic
If anyone drives in the Marlborough/Affton area, you know about Laclede Station Road and Watson Road (by Yorkshire Plaza). That light is BY FAR the longest I've ever sat at. It's like standing in line at the DMV!
Road crews expanded the lanes not too long ago, and I was hoping it would make the signals shorter...but it's the SAME! I take shortcuts without even thinking twice. AAARGH!
Is this truly the longest stoplight in town?
Why I Have Personalized Plates
Sep 24, 2006 | 6:07 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
I bought personalized license plates back in 1993 and have kept them for one reason: to keep me from road rage. If I have the urge to cut off someone, I won't because I know I can be identified by my plates.
Stop Signs are Yield Signs?
Sep 13, 2006 | 7:50 PM PST
Category:
Traffic
I learned the true definition of a city driver when I moved into an apartment in the city a couple years ago. On the way to work, there are three stop signs a couple blocks apart along Jamieson Ave heading towards I-44 (near Mom's Deli). When I started commuting, I used to make full stops at all three signs, and why not?! This was my neighborhood, and I wanted to help keep the community safe by obeying the rules...plus there's a park nearby, so you never know when a soccer ball (followed by a child) might decide to run out in front of you.
Well, these stop signs are pointless. Everyone rolls through...some only tapping their brakes for a second then continuing their 40mph travels. I've tried to keep up my safe driver ethic, but why? I'm just annoying other drivers by obeying the law. A couple times when I stop, I'm actually afraid someone will rear-end me! When drivers roll through the signs, are they looking both ways for cars? or cops?
I know I'm not the only frustrated driver after I saw a car with a "kid peeing on" window decal that was peeing on the text: Impatient Drivers Who Don't Make Complete Stops at Signs!!
