To the editor:
For a long time, accidents had been a way of life. I lived a major portion of my lifetime waiting for the Derby/Congress intersection in Salem to be considered for the simple installation of four-way stop signs. Hooray!
Since the stop signs were installed I find it to be a pleasant experience traversing this intersection and know of no serious accidents having occurred that might cause grave public-safety concerns.
With the stop signs in place, I now find that motorists are very aware and courteous and use common sense when in the intersection. Not so the pedestrians, but that is another subject for another day.
As I sit writing this piece, it is 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. According to today's Salem News, Mayor Driscoll, Ward 1 Councilor Bob McCarthy, a paid consultant and our city engineer are sitting in a public hearing to determine how much public support there is for this traffic light project. According to the news article, conduits are already in place that would carry the wires to facilitate this project.
Citizens, you waste your time venting your concerns at this gathering because, in addition to installing electric traffic signals the wheels already are in motion to install traffic camera sentinels. Allow me to explain.
The Boston Globe on Nov. 13 published an article about how Gov. Deval Patrick is advancing a plan to make Massachusetts the 25th state to let cameras play traffic officer at red lights. The article also contains a statement by Mayor Driscoll: "We already have our ordinance passed here locally (in Salem) and are ready to go if the state law is approved." She also said it would be "disingenuous if we didn't say there's definitely a revenue component here."
Patrick administration officials make the argument stressing that leaders from cities and towns have been pushing for the legal change that would allow them to fine scofflaws caught on camera up to a $100. The fine would be assessed to the owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. What a wonderful new source of revenue! Big Brother!
Salem is fortunate to have a wonderful team of traffic and law-enforcement officers with clearly marked vehicles with bright flashing lights that could be at these intersections during periods of high-volume traffic.
This would certainly eliminate gridlock, a frequent rush-hour occurrence at Riley Plaza and Mill Hill. With police presence, scofflaws would be ticketed and fined to the driver of the vehicle and not necessarily the owner.
And if public safety is truly a concern, what better way than to have a visible, uniformed police officer on site during these periods.
I must add that during Haunted Happenings a civilian crossing guard was working the intersection of Derby and Congress. That certainly is a better approach than the Orwellian method we contemplate for public safety.
Edward Plecinoga
Salem
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