Jump start for common sense
Published 12:01 am Friday, January 7, 2011
Last month, the Washington State Patrol cranked out a barrage of media releases — many aimed at educating the driving public on essential aspects of Washington’s rules of the road.
Along with the unfortunately necessary “don’t drink and drive” message highlighting their 
220;Night of a 1000 Stars” emphasis patrols, they also covered a number of important seasonal topics. On occasion, they even used social networking in an effort to reach the drivers who increasingly seem to fall into the category, “Highly unlikely to alter their behavior based on the content of a press release.”
Drivers can go online to view a short video explaining the Enhanced Emergency Zone Law that went into effect on Jan. 1. The new law builds on the 2007 “Move Over” legislation and is designed to alter driving behavior in the expanded buffer zone between vulnerable emergency workers and rapidly moving vehicles.
Whether it’s a lack of common sense or simple thoughtlessness, drivers clearly need this reminder to move over when they can (and to slow down when they can’t) as they approach any roadside emergency scene. The work of tow truck drivers, ambulance crews and law enforcement personnel is inherently dangerous, but careless and inattentive drivers crashing into them shouldn’t further complicate their jobs.
Another common sense message that seems to need constant repeating is to “secure your load.” According to the State Patrol, its Bellevue Communications Center alone logged more than 500 calls in November regarding objects in the roadway blocking traffic or creating possible safety hazards.
This message is particularly timely as folks take Christmas trees and loose wrapping paper to recycling stations for disposal. Taking the time to make sure the load isn’t going to fly out and create a distraction or hazard should be a no brainer. Somehow, for many behind the wheel, it isn’t.
We’d like to believe that common sense would prevail on our roadways, but it’s apparent that some drivers need more before they’re compelled to do the right thing. Perhaps the doubled fine for failure to “ease over” in an emergency zone, or the $124 ticket for failure to secure a load, will serve as effective deterrents.
