[Speed Gibson,
Monday March 14, 2005 at 9:35pm]
Legislative Follies
Let's see. The Legislature wants to move ahead with the Northstar Corridor rail line, but we have no idea what price the BNSF railroad will agree to. They want 20% ethanol, even though currently prohibited by Federal law as a pollutant. Turning 21? Want to have your "first" drink at midnight? No, those wise Legislators who got caught drinking on the job last session say no, you must now be 21.0009132 years old, when your urge to binge drink miraculously subsides. Repeal no-fault auto insurance, which, surprise! surprise! has raised our rates, not lowered them as promised? That would put too many lawyers out of work, only we were supposed to need fewer of them, right? By the original logic, wouldn't this increase the case load?
On a slightly more serious note, Senator Dick Day, who by State records owns the land speed record between St. Paul and Owatonna, introduced a bill to require that we "keep right except to pass" on our multi-lane highways. Many, including Senator Bachman and car expert Paul Brand are applauding.
When I was in Driver's Ed, we were not taught "keep right except to pass" regarding freeway driving. Instead, we were taught that the right-most lane was for merging, for those getting on or off. If that's not you, move over, to let others merge more easily. That makes far more sense, at least in urban traffic. As a member of the Minnesota Highway Patrol once told me, why build extra lanes if you're not going to use them?
Senator Day, Mr. Brand, we all know very well what we're talking about here - your need for speed. Rather than a silly law that if followed would further increase urban congestion, let's address the real problem: not enough lanes. If we had at least three lanes, the merging traffic could use the right lane, I could use a middle lane, and you speeders could take your chances in the left lane.
On a slightly more serious note, Senator Dick Day, who by State records owns the land speed record between St. Paul and Owatonna, introduced a bill to require that we "keep right except to pass" on our multi-lane highways. Many, including Senator Bachman and car expert Paul Brand are applauding.
When I was in Driver's Ed, we were not taught "keep right except to pass" regarding freeway driving. Instead, we were taught that the right-most lane was for merging, for those getting on or off. If that's not you, move over, to let others merge more easily. That makes far more sense, at least in urban traffic. As a member of the Minnesota Highway Patrol once told me, why build extra lanes if you're not going to use them?
Senator Day, Mr. Brand, we all know very well what we're talking about here - your need for speed. Rather than a silly law that if followed would further increase urban congestion, let's address the real problem: not enough lanes. If we had at least three lanes, the merging traffic could use the right lane, I could use a middle lane, and you speeders could take your chances in the left lane.