THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601250190
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Before I write this statement, I want to express my sincere sympathy to the families of all the victims who were in tragic accidents on Shore Drive.
Now, I drive the highway 10 to 20 times a month. It's no way that you could make me believe that the highway is not safe. As I see it, we don't have side roads that cars may come out from, and I don't find the road too winding. It's pretty safe, driving at the designated speed limits. I can't see how cutting down the beautiful trees will make it any safer.
People that want to drive fast and be reckless are going to do so regardless of the condition of the road. It's not the road, it's the drivers' fault. If that's what they choose to do, so let it be! Don't take it out on the trees - they are not moving.
So, I hope that the city fathers will reconsider and save the trees and the taxpayers' money. It's a waste of hard-earned dollars and not fair to take it out on Mother Nature.
J.P. Russo
Virginia Beach
The assumption that the 3.2 miles of Shore Drive slated for removal of approximately 350 trees is a dangerous road is ridiculous. For the past 50 to 60 years, hundreds of thousands of people have driven that road safely. And many people drive that way deliberately in order to enjoy the beauty, peace and serenity of this oasis between two deserts of chaos.
It is a fact that trees are a most valuable asset. Some of the trees are 200 years old, according to Fred Hazlewood, First Landing/Seashore State Park superintendent. Once gone they are gone forever - and for what? To fix something that does not need fixing at a considerable cost to taxpayers who, like me, strongly protest having our money spent on such a wantonly destructive and unnecessary project.
It appears that the engineers are at it again with a make work project and that the politicians propose to go along with them instead of considering the citizens. I urge them to listen. Save the trees.
Liz Sills
Virginia Beach
A recommendation has been made to spend over $1 million ``to eliminate some of the traffic hazards on Shore Drive.'' I submit that the hazards are minimal on this beautiful 3.2-mile span between the Fort Story entrance and 83rd Street. Statistics indicate that most traffic accidents on this road have been caused by excessive alcohol consumption, reckless driving and speeding; not by driving mothers reaching in the back seat to attend to small children. Therefore, I implore all members of City Council to revisit alternative plans carefully before committing to an expenditure of taxpayers' money for changes that may not have the desired results of reducing accidents.
I would suggest that before we cut down even one of those 300 plus trees, altering the aesthetics of a scenic road, let's implement and monitor the effectiveness of the following three changes:
Reduce the speed limit to 45 mph, which would be consistent with the speed limit on other sections of Shore Drive.
Install rumble strips on the shoulders.
Install street lighting at appropriate locations.
These least-cost changes, together with increase police patrolling should have the desired results. At least let's give it a try before we spend a lot of money that could be used for more needy road work.
Maury Bailey
Virginia Beach
I deeply sympathize with the families who have lost loved ones in accidents on Shore Drive.
Cutting down trees on this stretch of highway is not the solution to prevent accidents. The trees do not jump in front of the cars.
The accidents are caused primarily by excessive speed and/or alcohol. Why don't we prohibit the sale of alcohol and put ``governors'' on all cars to prevent speeding? These suggestions are just as impractical as chopping down the trees.
Alternate suggestions: Have all new teenage drivers take ASAP classes as a requirement for licenses. This should also be statewide. Some states have monitor signs which flash your speed as a reminder to the driver. Spend the tree-cutting money to place more police cars at night on this stretch - not to hide behind trees, but to be very visible and act as a deterrent to drivers. Over the recent years, there has been less police presence on this road. Could the absence of police and radar contribute to the increased accidents?
There are many fatal accidents involving cars and trees all over Virginia Beach. Should we therefore cut down all our trees that are near roads? Be sensible!
I.C. Borland
Virginia Beach by CNB