Back-to-School Equals Backed Up Traffic
[B' Spokes: Remember half of all school children are driven to school by personal automobile so designing roads so kids can't bike or walk to school and can only be driven isn't work out so well for those of you who do drive. Maybe we should tax kids for road improvement "they" need. In the mean time have fun sitting in car centric traffic because there are too many cars on the road. ]
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* By: Kimberly Brown - ABC
Its bad enough Baltimore ranked #16 last year in the nation for worst congestion (up from #21 in 2006). However, as class will soon be in session, expect tens of thousands of additional cars on the roads, plus increased bicycle and pedestian traffic as well. Those factors could add as much as an extra 30 minutes to your commute. Here's a few tips to make your back-to-school commute safer and easier:
- Try to leave for work before the height of rush hour. You might be waking up earlier, but it could equal less minutes sitting behind the wheel. Adjust your route to avoid schools and high congestion areas.
- Keep those speeds down through school zones! Nearly one million kids will be returning to classes in Maryland and some of them may not have the best traffic safety awareness. Remember that the speed limit is usually 25 miles per hour near schools and police are serious about enforcing it. Parents, make sure your child also knows the rules of the road.
- Pack your patience! Spending an extra 30 minutes (that's one-way, mind you) on your daily ride, is no one's idea of fun. We live in a highly populated region and some people travel long distances to get to work. To "rush" during rush-hour could be an oxymoron.