How is Virginia’s transportation budget battle going to affect you?

You may have heard the news – the Virginia transportation budget is expected to fall short by $600 million this year.  The federal government is giving Virginia less money than expected, and there’s less money coming in from gas and consumer taxes thanks to high oil prices and the sorry state of our economy.  What does this mean for the roads in your neighborhood?

Basic maintenance will probably be unaffected, however new roads or road improvements – even projects designed to improve safety – will be shelved until a later date or not completed at all.  The General Assembly is trying to fill an estimated $385 million gap for next year’s state highway maintenance and generate more than $500 million in funding for the congestion-clogged regions of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

To help the budget, Governor Kaine has recommended a tax increase, which wasn’t well received at the General Assembly.  Virginians aren’t likely to embrace paying higher taxes right now either, considering how much they’re already paying for gas and how their homes have plummeted in value.

When are lawmakers going to stop bickering and work together to do something about the congestion and poor state of our roads?  Preferably something that does not include taking even more money from an already cash-strapped population.

Combating motorcycle fatalities with “Ride Smart, Arrive Alive” program

Surprising news was released this week: Virginia motorcycle fatalities jumped 87 percent in 2007, the last year for which data is available for analysis.  This information from the Virginia State Police (VSP) has officials and law enforcement officers concerned.  What can be done to reverse this tragic trend?

In an attempt to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities on Virginia roads the VSP is running a campaign called “Ride Smart, Arrive Alive”.  The campaign is comprised of three parts:

1. Education:  Since nearly 70 percent of motorcycle accidents are the fault of the motorcycle operator, the campaign will educate riders about the types of behaviors that contribute to serious crashes.
2. Enforcement:  Again, since the majority of motorcycle crashes are the fault of the biker, police will be trying to catch riders who don’t obey the law.  Issues like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, speeding, riding without a motorcycle endorsement, and equipment violations will be targeted by law enforcement efforts.
3. Roadway Management:  Physical roadway issues like road design and signage will be evaluated to see if changes can be made to reduce the likelihood of a serious motorcycle crash.  Authorities will be reviewing all motorcycle fatality accident reports to determine if a roadway issue contributed to the crash, and if so what can be done about it.

Read more about motorcycle safety in our law library articles like “Motorcyclists – How to Protect Yourself on the Road” and “Do you know how to “share the road” with motorcycle riders?”