Member Feedback

Moving over for emergency vehicles

Your commentary on the Move Over law [September/October] was the first I had heard about this law. And this has been in effect since 2005? Maybe it was reported in the news or on TV, but I'll bet there are plenty of people who don't know about it. Perhaps one of the numerous "Buckle up" signs could be converted to "Move Over—It's a Law." I'm in favor of this law and the expansion to include CDOT and roadside assistance vehicles.
-J. Taylor, Littleton

Both the existing law and the proposed expansion are designed to only protect certain people, which is, in my opinion, inappropriate and bad public policy.

Is the life of a mother attempting to fix a tire, a truck driver who is checking his load, or an individual with a medical emergency of less importance? Why should they not be entitled to the same protection? The law should be applicable to all categories or it should not be a law at all. Moving over for any vehicle on the side of the road is appropriate, but a law protecting only select groups is totally inappropriate.
-John M. Tarabino, Trinidad

I agree completely with the idea that we should protect our CDOT workers, but I think they have some responsibility also. Their signs should reflect what is really happening. Many times the signs are so far ahead of the construction that after slowing for a while, everyone speeds up again, thinking there is no construction and they must have forgotten to take down the sign.
-Ruth Ann England, Cortez

Our oldest son works for CDOT and is stationed in the Denver area. Some of the stories he has told us about traffic are scary. Plowing snow can be quite an experience. Patching roads is the same. I am for expanding the Move Over law, 100%. In our society today everyone is in such a big hurry.
-Frank A. Holmes, Ret. CSP, Greeley

Cell phones and texting

EnCompass has interesting articles about what AAA has supported and realized in their efforts to improve safety. However, I was surprised that there was no mention of one of the most critical concerns for motor vehicle safety—the use of cell phones while driving. Inattention while on the phone is now being eclipsed by inattention while text messaging. Here's your next target to evaluate and recommend changes to related laws.
-Ed, via email

Editor's Note: Distracted driving, including the role of cell phones, is a major safety concern for AAA both nationally and in Colorado. Previous studies and surveys reported in EnCompass have shown it is also of great concern to members. For more on our latest initiative in this area.

Bears and cars

The fall is a great time for camping, and bears can be a real problem. However, I take exception with a couple of the Division of Wildlife's tips [September/October]. Storing food and/or garbage inside a locked vehicle is really stupid. Bears have no problem opening a vehicle to get at the food. They will just rip off the doors, roof, etc. Your vehicle (unless it's a Sherman tank) will be totaled.

If no bear-proof locker is available at the campground, hang your food/garbage from a limb (just strong enough to hold it) of a tree, at least 10 feet above the ground and at least six feet from the trunk.
-Theodore E. Casellini, Thornton

Editor's Note: Thanks for the reminder! It's true that a determined bear can easily break into a vehicle. With this in mind, perhaps the article should have stated that while a bear-proof locker or hanging food in a tree are always the preferred methods when camping, storing food in a car is a last option which is still safer for the campers than leaving food in or around their tent.

E85 and food prices

As a farmer in eastern Colorado, I feel compelled to respond to the letter on E85 [Member Feedback, September/ October]. Many factors have caused the price of food to increase in the U.S. In the majority of cases, the corn used in the production of ethanol is yellow field corn, which is raised for livestock consumption and is never used for human food.

Ethanol production creates a by-product called distiller's grain that is an economical alternative livestock feed, preferred by many livestock producers because of its excellent food value conversion. It is also cheaper to transport and handle.

The production of alternative fuels is the best chance we have to reduce (although not eliminate) American dependence on foreign fuel.
-Harry Brinkema, Holyoke

Truck accidents

Recently it seems that hardly a few days go by without hearing about a serious accident involving a large truck. I am very concerned about the professionalism of truck drivers. I am also concerned for Colorado citizens' safety and angry about the delays we experience on the roads when one of these behemoths wrecks.

I call on AAA to push for stricter legislation governing the trucking industry. I would think that good truck drivers would welcome this so that they would not be subject to endless delays on the roads. This will be a tough battle because I believe the trucking lobby is very powerful, but I would appreciate any pressure AAA could exert to improve the safety of Colorado roads.
-Paul B. Jones, Grand Junction

Editor's Note: AAA lobbies for truck safety at a federal level. In recent years, federal initiatives that have had AAA input have included truck size and weight limits, more stringent drive/rest hours for commercial drivers and improved data collection on the causes of truck crashes. Safety issues potentially arising from NAFTA are also of concern to AAA. We hope to report on some of these in a future issue.