News
Editorial: Slow down, buckle up for safety
Accidents, speeding and refusal to wear seat belts have caused us to go on a crusade when it comes to traffic safety.
The community was heartbroken over the death of two Sahuarita High students earlier in the school year. Junior Beth Brakke was killed and three passengers were injured as she exited Interstate 19 at Sahuarita Road on Sept. 25. Daniel Figueroa died in a two-car accident as he was riding with a friend on Duval Mine Road on Jan. 18.
Tragedy on Interstate 19, including the death of 38-year-old Green Valley man Don Carlos Nolette on Jan. 17 when a driver was going the wrong way near Duval Mine Road, adds to the misery.
We have called on the Arizona Department of Transportation to review the speed limit through Green Valley and Sahuarita, suggesting it should be reduced to 55 mph in Green Valley and 65 mph in Sahuarita.
Efforts to improve safety in Green Valley and Sahuarita have taken root.
The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council’s Traffic and Arroyos Committee has convinced local law enforcement to have a Zero Tolerance Week on March 31-April 5. The Sheriff’s Department, Sahuarita Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety will stop all vehicles clocked even 1 mph above the speed limit.
“It seems to many of us that there’s a lot of speeding. We need to be aware of being safe and being aware of other people,” said Sandra Stone, chairperson of the Traffic and Arroyos Committee.
This will be the third year for a zero-tolerance week in the region.
More than 300 tickets were issued in 2006 and 2007.
“At least for a while, people slow down and pay attention to their speed,” Stone said.
The Town of Sahuarita has held public meetings on the issue of driving safety. Council member Marty Moreno, also chairperson of Sahuarita Team Offers Prevention, has coordinated efforts to make the streets safer.
A recent survey, conducted by Sahuarita police volunteers, found 87 percent of all drivers and 77 percent of high-school age drivers are wearing their seat belts. But only 54 percent of young passengers are buckling up. That’s a major concern.
Many parents would like to see driver’s education in Sahuarita High School. Superintendent Jay St. John has been skeptical on whether it works and the cost.
“Research on driver’s education shows very low correlation between kids taking drivers education and their safety record,” he said. “The only thing that helps is when the parents are involved.”
The issue will be handled outside the school for now.
“Most 16-year-olds have better reflexes than I do but don’t have the judgment,” St. John said. “I’m slower to brake, but I know when to speed. They are asking us to teach judgment. If I could do that, I’d be selling it somewhere. At some time if we can afford to offer driver's education, we’d be happy to do it.”
In the meantime, four Sahuarita High Student Council members have agreed to consult with the police department on a seat-belt awareness program. We commend members who volunteered: Liz Watkins, 17, a junior and activity chair for the council; Gabe Acosta, 17, junior class secretary, and Lisa VanWagenen, 15, sophomore class member at large. The alternative representative is Bianca Montoya, 16, junior class president.
The zero-tolerance week will cause discomfort. If you’re caught, you’ll probably have to pay a ticket around $135 or go to driver’s school. If you’re caught without a seat belt during the stop, it’ll cost another $135 or so.
We know the economic times are tough. Hardly anyone has money to throw away fines. But the effort by Green Valley and Sahuarita groups is worth it if drivers slow down and buckle up.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of this newspaper. Respond by e-mailing www.gvnews.com. Comment on line at www.gvnews.com.
The community was heartbroken over the death of two Sahuarita High students earlier in the school year. Junior Beth Brakke was killed and three passengers were injured as she exited Interstate 19 at Sahuarita Road on Sept. 25. Daniel Figueroa died in a two-car accident as he was riding with a friend on Duval Mine Road on Jan. 18.
Tragedy on Interstate 19, including the death of 38-year-old Green Valley man Don Carlos Nolette on Jan. 17 when a driver was going the wrong way near Duval Mine Road, adds to the misery.
We have called on the Arizona Department of Transportation to review the speed limit through Green Valley and Sahuarita, suggesting it should be reduced to 55 mph in Green Valley and 65 mph in Sahuarita.
Efforts to improve safety in Green Valley and Sahuarita have taken root.
The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council’s Traffic and Arroyos Committee has convinced local law enforcement to have a Zero Tolerance Week on March 31-April 5. The Sheriff’s Department, Sahuarita Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety will stop all vehicles clocked even 1 mph above the speed limit.
“It seems to many of us that there’s a lot of speeding. We need to be aware of being safe and being aware of other people,” said Sandra Stone, chairperson of the Traffic and Arroyos Committee.
This will be the third year for a zero-tolerance week in the region.
More than 300 tickets were issued in 2006 and 2007.
“At least for a while, people slow down and pay attention to their speed,” Stone said.
The Town of Sahuarita has held public meetings on the issue of driving safety. Council member Marty Moreno, also chairperson of Sahuarita Team Offers Prevention, has coordinated efforts to make the streets safer.
A recent survey, conducted by Sahuarita police volunteers, found 87 percent of all drivers and 77 percent of high-school age drivers are wearing their seat belts. But only 54 percent of young passengers are buckling up. That’s a major concern.
Many parents would like to see driver’s education in Sahuarita High School. Superintendent Jay St. John has been skeptical on whether it works and the cost.
“Research on driver’s education shows very low correlation between kids taking drivers education and their safety record,” he said. “The only thing that helps is when the parents are involved.”
The issue will be handled outside the school for now.
“Most 16-year-olds have better reflexes than I do but don’t have the judgment,” St. John said. “I’m slower to brake, but I know when to speed. They are asking us to teach judgment. If I could do that, I’d be selling it somewhere. At some time if we can afford to offer driver's education, we’d be happy to do it.”
In the meantime, four Sahuarita High Student Council members have agreed to consult with the police department on a seat-belt awareness program. We commend members who volunteered: Liz Watkins, 17, a junior and activity chair for the council; Gabe Acosta, 17, junior class secretary, and Lisa VanWagenen, 15, sophomore class member at large. The alternative representative is Bianca Montoya, 16, junior class president.
The zero-tolerance week will cause discomfort. If you’re caught, you’ll probably have to pay a ticket around $135 or go to driver’s school. If you’re caught without a seat belt during the stop, it’ll cost another $135 or so.
We know the economic times are tough. Hardly anyone has money to throw away fines. But the effort by Green Valley and Sahuarita groups is worth it if drivers slow down and buckle up.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of this newspaper. Respond by e-mailing www.gvnews.com. Comment on line at www.gvnews.com.
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