Quote:
Originally Posted by jimjamuser
I agree with the concept of "if you don't see, don't go. But, the rest is a little "harsh" for me. Yes, individual responsibility for good driving IS an IMPORTANT factor. But, there are a whole set of OTHER factors. The individual EXISTS in an environment of regulations where basically people have come to an AGREEMENT about files of the road and speed limits. Obviously, the state and local governments get involved in posting the speed limit signs. Suppose there were NO speed limit signs or enforcement? That world would be a mess........so obviously society needs SOME rules and therefore SOME GOVERNMENT enforcement. We ALL agree to NOT pass a school bus that is unloading children. That rule is NOT some "nanny state" rule - it is just societies agreed on wisdom to protect the valuable lives of children. So, basically, we all live in an environment of RULES and government is the referee with the whistle on those rules.
What people may differ on is how protective a RULE (or speed limit) might be.....is it good safety or is it onerous to an individual? I agree about individual responsibility. The individual is responsible to society (government) but the reverse is ALSO true government is responsible to the individual. And it is up to the government to maintain SAFE roads to travel on. I am just saying that HERE in The Villages it is a SPECIAL environment. WE ALL like the fact that we are safer in our homes because we are SURROUNDED by older people with LESS inclination to rob or be violent. For that safety we must trade off some inconveniences and ACCEPT some things .......like that the eyesight and reflexes of our fellow Villagers are somewhat suspect and declining. That IS just OUR environment and I ACCEPT it. Nothing is perfect.
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I would tend to define a nanny state traffic rule as one that affects thousands upon thousands of people because a very few have done something stupid. Least Common Denominator again.
Judging by the length of time it takes that light to cycle and the number of cars on the road, I'd estimate that 100 vehicles go by that intersection every 2 1/2 minutes=2,400/hour for say 12 hour a day=28,800 in that time, so let's be conservative and call it 30,000/day=11 million/year.
ELEVEN MILLION!
Now, how many accidents have there been at that intersection???? I don't know---there have only been 2 recently publicized, but let's go high and say 2/month=24/year
24 out of 11 million!!!!! That approaches lottery odds. And that's my definition of a nanny rule---affecting 11 million transits of that intersection for a handful of accidents. And remember there is still the law of unintended consequences----the distracted driver plowing into the last car in a back up of the turn lane cause by the red arrow.