QuoteDangerous drive: 25 die on I-95 in 12 months
(http://www.news4jax.com/image/view/-/26271096/medRes/5/-/w/400/-/ojksjnz/-/SJC-fatal-ax1.jpg)
News4Jax investigation uncovers worst areas in region for deadly crashes
Florida Highway Patrol numbers, obtained through a public records request, show that between April 2014 and April 2015 there were 1,713 reported crashes from the Florida-Georgia line to the Flagler-Volusia county line.
Of those crashes, 573 involved injuries and 18 were fatal, claiming 25 lives altogether.
St. Johns County had the most fatal crashes in the region: nine over the last year. That's half of all deadly crashes on 95's Northeast Florida stretch. The worst area for wrecks was around County Road 210 (pictured above), where there were 62 accidents, including three deadly ones.
The other hot spots for wrecks were near International Golf Parkway, State Road 207 and State Road 16.
Full article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/dangerous-drive-18-die-on-i95-in-12-months/33127626
Pay attention to the road when driving....simple enough message.
Seems like there is a major accident once a week on 95 between Old St Augustine and World Golf Village.
Quote from: pierre on May 21, 2015, 12:24:01 PM
Seems like there is a major accident once a week on 95 between Old St Augustine and World Golf Village.
Agree
The people that live in St. John's and work in Duval are risking death and injury every day. Seems like a terrible way to live.
Quote from: Lunican on May 21, 2015, 12:41:19 PM
The people that live in St. John's and work in Duval are risking death and injury every day. Seems like a terrible way to live.
While I don't disagree with you, even living close enough to work where you ride your bike you're risking death and injury every day.
Quote from: Lunican on May 21, 2015, 12:41:19 PM
The people that live in St. John's and work in Duval are risking death and injury every day. Seems like a terrible way to live.
All the accidents I've been in have happened within 3 miles of my home
I often travel south in the mornings and do not envy the traffic headed northbound on I95 at all. I do not foresee this stretch of I95 becoming any less congested or more safe in the coming years. It will most likely get worse. St. Johns has numerous housing developments in the works and most of the jobs remain in Duval County. People seem willing to put up with stressful commutes so that they can have an affordable new home and send their kids to A rated schools.
It would be nice to see more FL troopers on this stretch of the interstate. Drivers are distracted and groups of cars pass me doing 80-90 all the time. I've had semis fly by me and my cruise is set at 74. I rarely see any law enforcement.
QuoteThe people that live in St. John's and work in Duval are risking death and injury every day. Seems like a terrible way to live.
Two accidents on I-10 coming Eastbound and one showed the car on its side. I-10 is no cakewalk either with the construction going on there. Although the growth to the west of Jax has not been as severe as to its south, hence more population, more issues.
Everyone wants to see more people downtown, living without cars, living by walking around. I hope that these "fear studies" shine some light on the fact that living in the suburbs is more dangerous when travelling to a job.
QuoteI rarely see any law enforcement.
FHP is primary on speed enforcement, although you will see JSO work here and there. Really, all FHP does anymore is highway stuff, their name says it all, Florida Highway Patrol. If they are not adding more patrols to the roads, its not going to get better anytime soon.
I think traveling by automobile is the most dangerous thing most people do every day and yet they fear it a lot less than things that are far less likely to kill or maim them. The number of miles Americans travel by automobile is a big factor of our lower life expectancy compared to other first world countries. Self driving cars can't come along soon enough.
Maybe this is why the commuter rail study has popped back again for the FEC route?
Seems to me that commuters will continue to prefer cars over mass transit. Especially here in sprawling Jax and especially as cars become self driving in the next 20 years.
I would venture to guess a good amount of the serious accidents on 95 involve people just passing through Jacksonville. Personally, I try to avoid 95 when possible. Especially the stretch south of 295 to past the WGV.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on May 23, 2015, 10:35:55 AM
Seems to me that commuters will continue to prefer cars over mass transit. Especially here in sprawling Jax and especially as cars become self driving in the next 20 years.
The majority of commuters do so via personal vehicles....even in transit friendly metros like NYC. I don't believe this will ever change. It also shouldn't be the driving force behind our investments in alternative forms of mobility.
This won't deter me from going on 95 at all. I'm far more afraid of fast two-lane roads like Normandy out Maxville-way and State Road 16 going to Gainesville than any US Interstate in Florida. I call stories like this 'the bridge, rollercoaster, and plane' syndrome; Whenever an accident happens on either, it's a must that you stop riding them completely...
http://www.grossmanroth.com/blogs/wrongful-death-attorney-miami-florida%E2%80%99s-i-95-is-nation%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-road/
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-06-07/news/os-deadliest-roads-in-the-country-20100607_1_i-95-lanes-broward-stretch
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-06-07/news/fl-i-95-deadly-highway-20100607_1_i-95-lanes-broward-stretch
The sooner we get the irrational, unreliable humans (that's almost all of us) out from behind the wheel the better off we will be. Self-driving cars will be much much safer and a lot more efficient.
QuoteI doubt there will be many train riders in 2040. American travelers generally prefer cars because they offer point-to-point mobility, but trains have two advantages over passenger vehicles today: They don't get stuck in traffic, and riders can do other things during the trip.
Autonomous vehicles will eliminate those advantages. In "The Moral Case for Self-Driving Cars" from Reason's August/September 2014 issue, Science Correspondent Ron Bailey explained how autonomous vehicles can solve the traffic problem:
"Roadway engineers estimate that typical highways now accommodate a maximum throughput of 2,200 human-driven vehicles per lane per hour, utilizing only about 5 percent of roadway capacity. Because self-driving cars would be safer and could thus drive closer and faster, switching to mostly self-driving cars would dramatically increase roadway throughput. One estimate by the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research in November 2013 predicts that a 50 percent autonomous road fleet would boost highway capacity by 22 percent; an 80 percent robot fleet will goose capacity 50 percent, and a fully automated highway would see its throughput zoom by 80 percent."
Whole article here: http://reason.com/blog/2015/05/24/self-driving-cars-amtrak (http://reason.com/blog/2015/05/24/self-driving-cars-amtrak)
Jim Epstein's position reeks of social elitism. For example, everyone won't be able to afford a self-driving car or the space to store them. So what happens to this sizable segment of the population?
Transit-wise, buses and trains are subsidized to the tune of billions per year. The roads those buses are riding on aren't free and they don't turn a profit. Thus subsidization.
Also, he completely ignores the economic development factor in choosing to select certain forms of mobility for specific urban environments. This is pretty clear, when they're railing off about California high speed rail, Amtrak and a local LRT system in the same light. All three are different animals with a completely separate set of pros and cons.
Last, there's no position on the importance of changing land use and development patterns. Get smart about land use and transportation infrastructure investment and we can grow our percentage of people walking and biking....giving citizens the choice of how they select to live, commute and move around throughout their daily lives.
QuoteJim Epstein's position reeks of social elitism. For example, everyone won't be able to afford a self-driving car or the space to store them. So what happens to this sizable segment of the population?
Yes, the poor are the last ones to benefit from new technology. Maintaining rail in the NE Corridor and making it safer is prudent while car technolgy develops and becomes widely adopted. It will help elderly and handicapped folks be much more independent. The expansion of ride-sharing will diminish the storage and cost of ownership issue.
QuoteTransit-wise, buses and trains are subsidized to the tune of billions per year. The roads those buses are riding on aren't free and they don't turn a profit. Thus subsidization.
Also, he completely ignores the economic development factor in choosing to select certain forms of mobility for specific urban environments. This is pretty clear, when they're railing off about California high speed rail, Amtrak and a local LRT system in the same light. All three are different animals with a completely separate set of pros and cons.
Last, there's no position on the importance of changing land use and development patterns. Get smart about land use and transportation infrastructure investment and we can grow our percentage of people walking and biking....giving citizens the choice of how they select to live, commute and move around throughout their daily lives.
Subsidies of roads and mass transit will continue as they have. Using government policy to elbow people out of their cars and suburbs for their own good is kind of elitist, too. Let them be autonomous.
I live in a suburb and ride a train to work every day.
I don't see providing mass transit options to people as being "elitist". I also think that driving a car when you can take mass transit is very selfish and infringes upon the rights of others, too.
Obviously, the best scenario is to have a mix of transit options available so everyone has a way to travel that fits their budgets and requirements.
Yeah, no need to force people out of their cars. That's not the purpose of public transit.
Who says you have to own a self-driving car anyway? I will own one and when I don't need it will let Uber rent it out to anyone who needs transportation at X$ per mile. Driving to and from work a car sits unused for at least eight hours per day. Let someone else use it and pay the cost.
Or that person will bike, use transit, walk or have their own car. Unless we stack the deck for the majority of the population to be forced to use self-driving cars, I don't believe we'll see the transformation Epstein describes and advocates for anytime in the near future.
One thing I remember from reading Freakonomics (and the second book) was that you can't just change people's behavior. There has to be some sort of benefit or incentive for people to change the way they do things.
Mass transit works that way - people will use it when it's the easiest or cheapest or whatever option. Having a quicker commute and not having to pay for parking is a pretty decent incentive - I can see that eventually happening if downtown Jax ever returned to its former glory and was the kind of place where 10s of thousands of people had to travel to every day for work.
Those same people might use their cars for the weekend trip to Costco or whatever. But they would likely see the benefit in using mass transit at least some of the time.
As it stands, you basically have no choice but to drive in Florida. And that's not good for anyone (other than those who profit from it).
^Pretty much!....
I'll need a self driving car in 20 - 25 years. But what I really want is AAF to get that Jax to WPB line going before I die. Here's a thought. Will my self-driving car be able to take me to the rail station and drive home after it drops me off? Then can I use my smart phone to instruct it to be at the train station when my train arrives? And can I have all of this within the next 5 years please (that's a demand not a question)! Thanks.
Sorry that was a bit off topic. I have noticed the lack of Highway Patrol cars between Jacksonville and Daytona on I-95. I have a habit of counting law enforcement vehicles whenever I drive for a long distance. On my last two trips to Orlando I did not see one trooper on the I-4 corridor. Especially in or around the construction zones.
All people are gonna do when they see a trooper on a highway is slow down then speed up with the close is clear, while the police get the one lone person. In general, I think the theory that highway (contrasting from the city) speeding correlates with safe driving is all financially driven BS, and I'm gonna tell you why. What are the speeds of the Autobahn in Germany, some crazy breakneck speed, and far as I know, there are no concerning negative effects.
If everyone agreed to keep the highway relatively open (no one impeding others speed) there would be very few accidents. Accidents mostly happen because all of the other stuff; texting, cell, road hogging the fast lane, recklessly using the emer lane to pass, quickly weaving in and out, no turn signals, tail gating, making that last exit on a split decision, swerving to avoid road debris etc etc etc. I do believe that speeds should be slowed around construction zones.
Quote from: I-10east on May 26, 2015, 01:23:23 AM
All people are gonna do when they see a trooper on a highway is slow down then speed up with the close is clear, while the police get the one lone person. In general, I think the theory that highway (contrasting from the city) speeding correlates with safe driving is all financially driven BS, and I'm gonna tell you why. What are the speeds of the Autobahn in Germany, some crazy breakneck speed, and far as I know, there are no concerning negative effects.
The recommended speed is on any divided 4+ lane highway (i.e. two in each direction) is 130kph = approx 80 mph. If no speed limit is posted and there are no adverse weather conditions, then you are free to go as fast as you want, however is you go faster than 80 mph and an accident happens you are assuming at least partial liability.
That said, there are those who want to impose a speed limit (I'd say for ideological reasons) but stats show that the accident / death rate on German highways is not higher than in the neighboring countries that do have speed limits.
In order for this to work, there are requirements such as cards needing to be inspected every two years (to determine that they are safe to drive), the tire speed rating needs to at least match the vehicle's top speed, roads being built differently....
Of course, during rush hour traffic you really cannot go that fast due do there being too many cars on the road (so if you look at the average / typical speed it's not that high) but when there is less traffic you can go 155 mph or more if you feel like it.
The most dangerous roads in Germany are two lane undivided highways with a max speed limit of 65 mph, btw.
Quote from: I-10east on May 26, 2015, 01:23:23 AMIf everyone agreed to keep the highway relatively open (no one impeding others speed) there would be very few accidents. Accidents mostly happen because all of the other stuff; texting, cell, road hogging the fast lane, recklessly using the emer lane to pass, quickly weaving in and out, no turn signals, tail gating, making that last exit on a split decision, swerving to avoid road debris etc etc etc. I do believe that speeds should be slowed around construction zones.
+1 - definitely agree.
QuoteWhat are the speeds of the Autobahn in Germany, some crazy breakneck speed, and far as I know, there are no concerning negative effects.
European drivers are much better trained than US drivers. It is much harder to get a license and requires a mandatory number of hours of instruction and a really tough driving test, not just parallel parking. A friend in England told me he spent over $2000 to get his license. That was a long time ago and things might have changed.
Quote from: Dog Walker on May 26, 2015, 10:08:16 AM
QuoteWhat are the speeds of the Autobahn in Germany, some crazy breakneck speed, and far as I know, there are no concerning negative effects.
European drivers are much better trained than US drivers. It is much harder to get a license and requires a mandatory number of hours of instruction and a really tough driving test, not just parallel parking. A friend in England told me he spent over $2000 to get his license. That was a long time ago and things might have changed.
Good thing I got mine in Florida and then a German one based on it :-)
Quote from: Dog Walker on May 26, 2015, 10:08:16 AM
QuoteWhat are the speeds of the Autobahn in Germany, some crazy breakneck speed, and far as I know, there are no concerning negative effects.
European drivers are much better trained than US drivers. It is much harder to get a license and requires a mandatory number of hours of instruction and a really tough driving test, not just parallel parking. A friend in England told me he spent over $2000 to get his license. That was a long time ago and things might have changed.
I recently obtained my provisional licence - a learner's permit. I am still not 100% sure what I need to do to get a valid UK licence, but I am pretty sure I am required to do a certain amount of driving lessons in addition to two tests (one is a written 'theory' test and I think the other one is a test where you have to react to obstacles on a screen or something like that). I already know how to drive - I'd imagine if you didn't know how to drive, it would cost quite a bit of money.
Adam: If you have a valid US license could you not get a UK one based on this ? In my case - that was 20+ years ago though so things may have changed - I just had to prove that I had driven in Germany with my US license for more than 6 months and then I got a German one (plus I needed a translation of my Florida license made by a certified translator which in you case should not be a requirement :D )
Quote from: Gunnar on May 27, 2015, 05:01:08 AM
Adam: If you have a valid US license could you not get a UK one based on this ? In my case - that was 20+ years ago though so things may have changed - I just had to prove that I had driven in Germany with my US license for more than 6 months and then I got a German one (plus I needed a translation of my Florida license made by a certified translator which in you case should not be a requirement :D )
No, sadly. When I moved here I would've been able to drive on my FL licence for a period of time - I can't remember how long, but it was less than a year, I think. That was over 8 years ago. I looked into it again (as I still have a valid FL licence) and was dismayed to learn that I have no option but to go through the testing, etc. Probably for the best, as I am not too used to driving on the left and the signs are not that familiar to me, either.
I have found that when I'm cycling and things go wrong, I tend to automatically move to the right. Not really all that wise.
Ah, I see.
Just checked this website and it seems that at the least you would have needed to take the written and driving test (i.e. not automated exchange).
https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence
Speaking of drivers licenses. I first took my license when living in Orange Park (as an exchange student). When I moved back to Germany I got the German license but kept my FL license which I renewed whenever it was due.
For me, this was mostly for psychological reasons - using it as and ID I didn't fee like the foreign guy / tourist and generally feel more attached to what to me is my second home.
Sadly though, the regulations were changed for non residents in Fl a couple of years ago, making it impossible (for practical purposes) to get an FL license as a non-resident.
As I understand it, this was done as a measure against illegal immigrant. Funny though, when I got mine I was always asked if I was a legal resident, or not, which I truthfully replied to, so I don't really see the issue here.
Then again, the state of Florida has every right to establish regulations they deem necessary, but I still find it sad - really miss having my FL license.
Quote from: Gunnar on May 27, 2015, 02:12:31 PM
Ah, I see.
Just checked this website and it seems that at the least you would have needed to take the written and driving test (i.e. not automated exchange).
https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence
Speaking of drivers licenses. I first took my license when living in Orange Park (as an exchange student). When I moved back to Germany I got the German license but kept my FL license which I renewed whenever it was due.
For me, this was mostly for psychological reasons - using it as and ID I didn't fee like the foreign guy / tourist and generally feel more attached to what to me is my second home.
Sadly though, the regulations were changed for non residents in Fl a couple of years ago, making it impossible (for practical purposes) to get an FL license as a non-resident.
As I understand it, this was done as a measure against illegal immigrant. Funny though, when I got mine I was always asked if I was a legal resident, or not, which I truthfully replied to, so I don't really see the issue here.
Then again, the state of Florida has every right to establish regulations they deem necessary, but I still find it sad - really miss having my FL license.
I've been able to keep mine because my parents still live in Florida (they moved to Sarasota, though) and I nominally maintain that as a residence. I think I will probably just try to get the UK licence and then not worry about keeping the FL one - assuming I can drive on a UK licence when I come home.
I still think of Jacksonville as my first home and have always assumed I'd move back at some point. I've been missing it a lot lately.
My view on I-95, on my way back to town, earlier today:
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Transit/Roads-and-Bridges/Misc-Jax-Roads/i-MjQQGBG/0/L/DSCF6502-L.jpg)
The first time I've driven a full mile in the wrong direction to make it back to a previous exit instead of waiting....
Quote from: thelakelander on June 13, 2015, 11:56:07 PM
My view on I-95, on my way back to town, earlier today:
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Transit/Roads-and-Bridges/Misc-Jax-Roads/i-MjQQGBG/0/L/DSCF6502-L.jpg)
The first time I've driven a full mile in the wrong direction to make it back to a previous exit instead of waiting....
I used to live in Riverside and work at BoA. Scenes like this were surprisingly common on the evening commute. So frustrating.
The EU and the US have reciprocity on drivers licenses now.
But I would still recommend you contact AAA if you are going to drive in the US more than 90 days. They assist with International licensure.
The accident on 95 yesterday was significant for some reason. Many, many people were effected throughout the city. I heard more about this one than most.
Quote from: spuwho on June 14, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
The EU and the US have reciprocity on drivers licenses now.
But I would still recommend you contact AAA if you are going to drive in the US more than 90 days. They assist with International licensure.
The accident on 95 yesterday was significant for some reason. Many, many people were effected throughout the city. I heard more about this one than most.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into that. I'm considering getting off my ass and taking care of the licence thing before the end of this year.
I hope everyone is alright after that accident. It's sometimes worth remember that other people are affected far worse than you (the guy stuck in traffic) - the people in the accident are probably wishing they were just stuck in traffic.
QuoteIt's sometimes worth remember that other people are affected far worse than you (the guy stuck in traffic) - the people in the accident are probably wishing they were just stuck in traffic.
Of course! This goes without saying. Nevertheless, driving I-95 and I-4 every week or so for work, between here and Central Florida......this is a pretty common sight. IMO, we're way overdue for investing in alternative forms of mobility and altering our land use regulations, in order to provide citizens with options for getting around.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 14, 2015, 01:01:20 PM
QuoteIt's sometimes worth remember that other people are affected far worse than you (the guy stuck in traffic) - the people in the accident are probably wishing they were just stuck in traffic.
Of course! This goes without saying. Nevertheless, driving I-95 and I-4 every week or so for work, between here and Central Florida......this is a pretty common sight. IMO, we're way overdue for investing in alternative forms of mobility and altering our land use regulations, in order to provide citizens with options for getting around.
Absolutely. I was referring to my own impatience - I spent countless hours complaining on the way to or from work.