by Cliff (and Sandy) Steele Somerset, Ky.
Dear Editor:
As I read the local newspaper daily, the death of YET another motorists upon the Somerset area roads does not surprise me in any way. Just (recently) as my wife Sandy and I were returning home at about on Ky. 192, the road was clear and dry and a full moon lit the road more than average. A small dark sedan went totally over the dividing center lines into our lane. We were in our larger Dodge truck at the time but I was still able to avoid a head on by driving totally off to the almost non existing shoulder!
Without my full attention and adjusting my speeds for darkness driving on this highway we more than likely would also have been involved in yet another accident as the one shown in today's front page.
I have dozens of photos (being this assigned duty also as a volunteer firefighter) from just this Ky. 192. The roadway is curvy ... winding but safe IF drivers adhere to the speed limits posted ... 55 mph and below. This is not the case as most every "incident" involves excessive speeds..and or the use of drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel and adding to this using cell phones, texting ect or just plain poor driving habits.
In the past four years I have never ever noted not one speed check car along this section of hy! The reasons may vary as to why but without any reservations if speed check...or "safety check speed" (radar or laser) was done along this section of roads a reduction of excessive speeds would be most noticed along with a reduction of accidents due to speeding.
The saying I believe is .."Money talks" fines alone in this economy may hurt but will save lives.Word travels fast in these parts.
Its not uncommon for us to be tailgated at less than 4 or 5 feet!!... passed on curves...double yellow lined...passed in excess of well over the posted limits. I have noted that even on our simple one lane roads..(no faults) many cars travel in excess of the 25 MPH posted speeds. (we have had 6 accidents just due to excessive speed in 4 years near our home) One of these days the local route school bus will be on that front page along with a long list of injured school children. By the way.. Kentucky law...seat belts are NOT required on School buses !!
I just wanted to take this time to give you my views as to why the front page of my newspaper is three out of six days a week with some sort of '"accident"and to place in writing why with the chances we must take to travel on this only main hy into somerset ...we also will be on the front page at some time in the future regardless as to how safely we attend to our driving. Sandy and I just wanted to advise you the reasons why & how it all came about............
Respectfully,
Cliff (and Sandy) Steele
Somerset, Ky.
