Sunday, May 26, 2013
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Troopers: Inattention, Distraction Contribute To Driving FatalitiesAlaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said many fatal collisions are made all the more tragic because so many of them are easily preventable.
On Friday, the 49th state had seen 49 deaths on its roads this year.
On Saturday, that number reached 50. "Alaskans are dying on our highways,” said Megan Peters, a spokeswoman for the Alaska State Troopers. "Motorists, when they're getting behind the wheels of their cars, they aren't focusing solely on the task of driving." Peters said the fatal collisions are made all the more tragic because so many of them are easily preventable. "I drive the highway every day to work and I see a lot of people weaving in and out, getting mad because they can't get around you,” said Tammy Davis, an Anchorage resident who has called 911 more than once to report dangerous drivers on the Seward Highway. Troopers say drivers are distracted by everything from cell phones and other passengers, to food and plain inattention. "We've seen instances where people have passed in no passing zones, we've seen instances where people have been exceedingly fatigued while operating their cars,” Peters said. “We've seen people that are just in a rush." "I just think people think it would never happen to them,” Davis said Meanwhile, Troopers say they’re still investigating what caused Saturday’s fatal accident outside of Girdwood. They don’t know what happened when Ronnie Allen’s silver pickup crossed over the center line and slammed into James Ries’ red Chevy. But now, they say there are no more excuses. “It’s time for drivers to be accountable for their actions on the roadways,” Peters said. The next time you hit the road, remember: the highway is only as safe as the drivers on it. "Just being behind somebody that's going from line to line or from curb to curb, and you try to get around them, you're trying to get away from them, but then, you know in the back of your mind, you're thinking they could hit somebody else, they could hurt somebody else,” Davis said. It’s not just your life on the line. |
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Tired of it! said on Tuesday, Aug 23 at 9:32 PM
So are cops who sleep in their patrol cars. Remove the unions that prevent us from setting standards of performance. Crime is out of control. The highway is an unmonitored free for all.
72824468viewer1 said on Monday, Aug 22 at 11:03 PM
yes inforce the law, that means the people that drive 45, to 50 mph too. it is you people that cause the problem. you think you own the road. and everyone else can just drive as slow as you. i see this both on the seward highway, and the glenn. you drive under the speed limit, and pace other traffic so no one can pass. then you call and report people because they pass you idiots. if you want to drive slower, move over to the right, "which is the law by the way".
72764302ak kid said on Monday, Aug 22 at 1:58 PM
so what build a bridge accross the inlet come on man your in kenai theres one way in one way out and no room to expand
72745777mikey372002 said on Monday, Aug 22 at 1:25 PM
simple drop the speed limit back to 55, if it means writing more tickets, collect peoples dividends who dont pay tickets, double the fines throughout the seward highway, need to send a strong message to reject drivers, and tickets to people who drive 45 in a 55 zone,Enforce the laws . or get another job.
72744102Bigakbrat said on Monday, Aug 22 at 12:48 PM
Cement Dividers...have save many lives in California where speed limint even 65 ...I would not object to a divider between...Actually I would feel safer...I alway call the Seward Highway suicide alley and that God everytime I make it through...How many more people must die before we separate the highway????
72742097tbones/Kenai said on Monday, Aug 22 at 12:09 PM
Alaska roads are senic routes. Driver's are looking over at the Inlet; moose, viewing the scenery; crossing the center line at times. Alaska's driver's are in hurry because of such long stretches of highway to cover. Have altenate routes for slower moving traffic and start building more by-passes that get around the congested areas. Alaska's roads are outdated. We have so many tourist up here mixing in with folks commuting to work and no where to get out of that jam up. Create alternate routes/bridges etc! Post the speed law and ENFORCE IT!
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