This Week's Column: Powerless Intersections
Love 'em or hate 'em, and for most drivers it's usually the latter, traffic lights give order to the vast network of roads in this town. In theory, at least.
Then you have what happened twice over the past three weeks around downtown Greensboro. A car wreck involving a power pole, followed two weeks later by stress on a power grid, left thousands of people - and signals - lacking electrons.
The resulting messes required patience, Advil and keen eyesight to skirt through the dark intersections. Police reported few accidents both evenings, a blessing given the circumstances.
"In most cases, because people don't know what to do, they won't blow through the intersections," said Greensboro police Capt. Robert Flynt, who oversees the department's traffic division.
But summer is only half over. Rolling blackouts may not be so unusual if weather persists the way it has in recent weeks. And don't forget severe thunderstorms, which pack enough punch to pull down power lines.
In the spirit of public service, here are a few things to keep in mind when your approach to a dark signal is ignored because of a ringing cell phone or spilled coffee:
• Always speed through the intersection. The faster, the better.
• Ignore the middle fingers. Those folks are not worth your time.
• Remind any officers investigating the wreck that your tax dollars pay their salaries.
Just kidding.
The state's division of motor vehicles put out tips earlier this year for handling dangerous power outages. They are listed below verbatim.
If you want to get technical, state law is silent on the issue of power loss at intersections. Law enforcement and transportation officials fall back on other areas of North Carolina general statute - parts that detail right-of-ways.
The following come from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook.
• Any vehicle already in the intersection has the right-of-way ahead of any car that has not yet entered;
• When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the car to the right has the right-of-way;
• A vehicle with the right-of-way may move straight ahead or, if legal and signaling, turn right or left; and
• Even with the right-of-way, be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and pedestrians.
Speeding in Julian
Ervin Varner e-mailed his concerns about a stretch of asphalt in southern Guilford County that lends itself to aspiring NASCAR drivers.
"Can you please tell me how to go about reporting speeders on Liberty Road in Julian?
"This road has become almost like a race track both day and night and it has gotten so bad that my neighbors and I are afraid to mow our lawns without being sure there are no race cars in the vicinity. Motorcycles are just as bad if not worse...
"I don't remember the last time I saw a highway patrolman on this road, but it has been far too long. I suppose it will be as usual -when people are killed or injured on the road then an attempt might be made to do something about it.
"Your help will be appreciated."
Highway Patrol is the first agency you'd want to contact. Its dispatch number is 334-5500. First Sgt. Kenny Smith said this week that when speeding is an ongoing problem, he often assigns a trooper to the area for 30 days to monitor traffic and issue citations.
That doesn't mean a trooper is sent to the road right away. But you can expect to see a heightened police presence.
A second option is to contact the Guilford County Sheriff's Office. While sheriff's deputies don't focus efforts on traffic enforcement like Highway Patrol, they can use down time to drive through the area.
Who knows... they may even nab a speed demon in the act.
Liberty residents should call the District 2 sheriff's office at 449-6400. Ask for Capt. Ken Whitesell or Lt. Steve Collins.
Stay in touch, Ervin. We'd be interested to hear what happens from here.
Bridge Naming
Almost six years after his death on the job, Greensboro officials want to name a bridge in honor of North Carolina State Highway Patrol Officer William Bryant Davis.
Davis died Oct. 21, 1999 when his cruiser lost control on McConnell Road east of Greensboro and skidded into a truck. The 27-year veteran of the patrol was responding to help another trooper chasing a stolen car.
City Councilman Don Vaughan said he'd like to name a bridge on Mt. Hope Church Road for the trooper, a common tribute for fallen officers. Vaughan said he admired the trooper's integrity and professionalism when he was a witness in court cases Vaughan participated in as a defense attorney.
Vaughan has asked Guilford County and the state to start the process of dedicating the bridge.
Staff writer Matt Williams contributed to this article with his reporting on the bridge proposal.
Got questions you want answered or need to vent about transportation issues? Send 'em our way at fastforward@news-record.com. Be sure to leave your name and a way for us to get in touch with you.