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"If THERE'S a median barrier that could be designed and
engineered and known to be safe, it would have been on that
bridge years ago. So far it hasn't been found." So said
Golden Gate Bridge District manager Carney Campion a day after
the June 26 bridge crash that killed San Francisco psychologist
Tamar Kraut when her car was rammed by a northbound car whose
driver crossed into southbound lanes.
Lo and behold, less than three weeks after Campion made
his statement-and after a deafening public outcry against
the lack of action by the district in preventing fatalities
-the bridge directors found what just might be the barrier
that can reduce the number of car crash deaths on the famous
span. Apparently recognizing the seriousness with which
drivers view preventable head-on crashes, Golden Gate Bridge
District Directors voted unanimously last week to test and
evaluate a barrier prototype. That action is long overdue.
Bay Area residents love their Golden Gate Bridge, but not
so much that they will refuse alterations that can save
lives. For some reason, bridge officials have been less
than aggressive in seeking ways to prevent the fatalities
on a bridge in which cars going in opposite directions-too
often at high speeds-are separated by only a thin, white
line and rubber traffic dividers. The wisest bridge commuters
long ago learned to stick to the bridge's right lane. Bridge
officials were less than aggressive in trying to prevent
head-on crashes.
The
board voted to spend $92,000 to test and evaluate a movable
barrier by Barrier Systems Inc. of Carson City, Nev. The
company believes testing and evaluation of the $6.5 million
steel and concrete divider could be completed in about six
months. The California Highway Patrol also should try to
do a better job of cracking down on speed demons who violate
the span's 45 mph limit. However, the bridge directors'
radical plan to seek emergency legislation allowing the
use of radar and cameras-not officers-to determine citations
is not the answer at this time.
A better
proposal is one that also was ~ approved by the board. It
seeks emergency legislation to triple fines for speeding
and tailgating on the bridge, where an estimated 18,000
drivers a day ignore the 45 mph speed limit. That approach
has had good results on Highway 37's "blood alley"
between San Rafael and Vallejo. Bridge directors deserve
credit for putting a priority on finding a barrier that
can stop head-on crashes and make the bridge less deadly.
Let's hope that their quick response to the latest tragedy
signals a willingness to listen early on and not be forced
into action only because of Public outrage.
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