THE GRIDLOCKSMITH

THE GRIDLOCKSMITH, traffic safety activist, "Roads Scholar," former "Road Warrior" who lost a brother (aged,15) on the road in 1969, has compiled many observations and ideas about traffic safety after 3 decades of driving for a living. "Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? Set a safe example in traffic." You, too, can be a gridlocksmith. "Road-Peace is a step toward World Peace." - Earl Shoop

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Location: Silver Spring, MARYLAND, United States

Looking for what's logical, efficient, kind and fun... Traffic safety became a personal issue when my youngest brother died on the highway. I observed traffic unsafety while driving for a living(30yrs). Spread the word about "Road-Peace" as a step on the road to World Peace. Since those wise and gentle enough to create World Peace will not treat each other as we now do, in traffic, the road is a good place to focus our efforts. see www.road-peace.com www.gridlocksmith.com

Saturday, November 03, 2007

PULEEZE, PULEECE, PULEEZE!

Is it just me, or have others (you) noticed that Police frequently fail to set a good example? Is there some way we could persuade them that it would be a good idea?

Use of seatbelts (or, should we call them, lifebelts?) can save a police officer as easily as a civilian. I recall that a few years back, an off duty police officer met a drunk... head-on! The drunk was buckled, but the officer was not. You can guess which one survived.

Years ago, I used my (not patented) belt reminder technique (the one where I give a friendly wave, smile, then kiss my lifebelt) for an officer at a red lite. He was pleased that I was wearing mine, but said that he could not wear his. (?) The lite turned green before I could ask why he could not wear it. Would it make it more difficult to dodge bullets?

A Takoma Park, Md. police officer lost his life when he was struck head-on by a drunk driver. The drunk survived. The officer might be alive, today, if he had developed the habit of obeying the law that, ironically, it was his job to enforce on others.

Since our taxes go to hire and train the police, should we not feel we have a right to demand that they take better care of themselves? All drivers tend to build habits of doing - or not doing - the right thing. I wonder how many lives might be saved by setting a good example.

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