Every year, ideas for the betterment and safety of the state roads of North Carolina are proposed, enacted and implemented. In examining the transportation change this past year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) of the Carolinas has released a report determining that some of the changes helped improve roadway safety, while others may have not had the positive consequence intended for North Carolina motorists.
The Good: Positive Changes Made to North Carolina Transportation
AAA Carolinas found many positives for transportation in 2010, including:
- Raleigh City Council's endorsement of a plan that would add bike lanes to up to 25 streets in Raleigh, make it safer for bicyclists and motorists to share the road and hopefully reduce bicycle accidents
- A change in the manner - limiting political influence and increasing objective standards - in which the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) selects bids for road and transportation projects, begins with projects in 2015
- The consideration of a full ban on cell phone use while driving by the Town of Chapel Hill
- A traffic safety radio campaign by El Pueblo, non-profit advancing Hispanic issues
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The NC DOT's plan to widen I-85 and replace the Yadkin River Bridge, make the dangerous roadways safer for drivers
The Bad: Transportation Changes That Were Not Made or Improperly Implemented
While no specific laws were enacted this last year that directly had a negative effect on roadway safety, the AAA Carolinas's report noted concern about the state Legislature's lack of funding for North Carolina's transportation infrastructure.
Another concern of note was in regards to a private company who was hired to enforce parking laws. Park Raleigh wrote more than 4,500 parking citations for cars parked more than one foot from the curb, yet still within designated white lines. The use of the private enforcement company, similar to other states' concerns of private companies monitoring red-light cameras, did not have the effect that was intended.
Many decisions are made that affect North Carolina's transportation sector every year, some good, some bad and some confusing. On occasion, another's decision will lead to an accident. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.
