WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14,2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 5
LAW
Speeding on by A proposal by the traffic commission could increase speed limit on portion of Sixth Street
The speed limit on Sixth Street heading west could change from 40 mph to 45 mph because of a proposal by the Lawrence Traffic Commission. Under the traffic commissions' recommendation, the speed limit would become 45 mph at Monterey Way and stay at that speed until city limits.
BY TOM SLAUGHTER
tslaughter@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The Kansas Department of Transportation recommended to the traffic commission that the speed limit be set at an intersection instead of in the middle of a street. According to traffic commissioner Robert Hagan, changing the speed limit in the middle of a street would require more signs and could be confusing for drivers.
April Pinon, Topeka senior, who works at Marisco's restaurant on Sixth Street and Wakarausa Drive, was happy about the proposed increase. She makes the drive west on Sixth Street to get to work and said she usually drives five mph over the speed limit anyway.
According to David Woosley, public works staff liaison for the city, the new speed limit was recommended at 45 mph because if the number were lower, there would be a greater chance at collisions because the majority of people are going above the speed limit anyway. Hagan said that the street was designed to accommodate vehicles traveling at 45 mph.
Commercial development and congestion in the area is the basis of one argument against the increase, so an increase in speed isn't pertinent. However, the only citizens that spoke up on the subject were in favor of a speed increase.
"I would definitely be for it," Pinon said.
The Kansas Department of Transportation set up speed counters on Sixth Street, and found that 85 percent of the traffic passing through was clocked going at or below 48 mph. Their recommendation was based off of this number.
The traffic commission voted unanimously in favor of the increase. The city commission will discuss the matter in a two to three weeks.
Kendra Jones, Lawrence senior and employee of JB Stout's Sports Bar & Grill, said she thought the proposed speed increase was a good idea, even in the residential area affected by the increase.
Vehicles drive by a speed limit sign near Sixth and Wakarausa streets Monday morning. The City Commission recently approved a proposal to raise the speed limit to 45 mph along Sixth Street from Monterray Way to K-10.
Joshua Bickel/KANSAN
"It's residential, but it's not like there are houses facing Monterey," Jones said.
—Edited by Adrienne Bommarito
LAW
DRIVING WHILE TALKING Cell phone ban could mean trouble for those who like to multitask
BY TOM SLAUGHTER
tslaughter@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Nobody ever said cell phones were cheap. Paying for a phone and the service required to use it is expected, but traffic tickets for using one while driving? The Lawrence city commission might soon make that a reality.
In the coming weeks, city commissioners will have to consider a controversial traffic safety proposal that would make it illegal to use cell phones while driving, including the use of hands-free devices. If approved, the decision would make Lawrence's the harshest cell phone ban in the nation.
Chris Wolfe, Topека senior, needed only two words to express his feelings on the matter.
"That's ridiculous," he said.
In a 5-4 vote June 5, the city traffic commission narrowly gave its disapproval of the ban. The traffic commission doesn't make decisions for the city; they only act as an advisory board for the city commission.
Wolfe said that he was against a full ban on cell phones, but not necessarily one that banned hands-free devices.
"I can't be supportive of all an out ban on cell phones;" Jim Ziegelmeyer Jr., chairman of traffic commission, said.
"I think that the citizens feel strongly that this is a bad ordinance" he said.
Close to a dozen local citizens and representatives for Sprint and Cingular Wireless spoke at the meeting, which lasted more than three hours at City Hall. The majority of the speakers expressed disdain for the proposal, citing mostly the same reasons, respectively. They compared
using a cell phone to turning the dial on a car radio.
"We already have ordinances that regulate inattentive driving which would cover cell phone usage. I would like to hear what the staff's recommendation is for increasing the fines with regard to this situation, but I would not support a total ban on cell phones in Lawrence." Hack said.
Sue Hack, vice mayor, echoed the sentiments of many of the proposal's opponents. She said that the hands-free portion of the ordinance was harsh, and would be difficult to enforce.
Critics have questioned precisely how a police officer would be expected to notice another driver using a cell phone, particularly at night. Opponents have also claimed that most drivers would probably not pay attention to the ordinance.
Paul Aatchley, associate professor of psychology, provided the committee with evidence in favor of a ban. He studies cognitive perception and attention at KU.
Nathan Cox, Knoxville, Tenn., graduate student,
said he would not be opposed to an all-out ban.
"There is something about talking on a cell phone that is more distracting." he said.
"The body of research indicates that cell phone use is just as dangerous as driving drunk," Atchely said. Traffic commissioner Carol Jean Brune gave her support for the ban.
"Cell phone usage by a driver presents a hazard that I would not want as a driver in the City of Lawrence," Brune said.
According to Robert Hagan, traffic commissioner, there was no specific fine proposed for violating the ordinance.
— Edited by Adrienne Bommarito
A home to fit your needs
901 Illinois
2 By Remodeled
Close to Campus
Eastview
1023 Mjsswappi
Close to Campus
Remodeled
Jefferson Way
2 Br/2 Be
Westside!