OFFICIALS AND MOTORISTS CAN SPUR ON ROAD SAFETY

The Cape Girardeau Police Department recently released a report concerning vehicle accidents in the city during 1990. Just because this is an annual document doesn't mean it should be dismissed without some thorough review. In addition to alerting the public to relevant statistical data about hazardous driving locations, it can also create something of an official blueprint for safety enhancement projects. View this in a two-fold manner: one, motorists should take extra care when approaching these locations, and, two, government officials should take prudent measures to upgrade traffic safety at those sites.

Traffic, obviously, is a good thing for Cape Girardeau; it represents commercial and residential vitality in the community. Along with it comes a public obligation to provide the safest thoroughfares feasible. Not surprisingly, traffic volume has a lot to do with the accident totals and the most heavily used roads (Interstate 55, Kingshighway) are host to the greatest number of mishaps.

That is not to say certain roadway inadequacies can not be improved for the protection of the motoring public. In fact, a significant improvement was made this year at the site of 1990's top accident location, at the intersection of I-55 and Route K. Thirty-one accidents took place there. Late in the year, however, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department installed a stop light at that location and that holds the promise of trimming accident numbers there in the future.

Public and private entities may soon help cut down the risk at another frequent accident site, at the intersection of Kingshighway and I-55, between Cape Girardeau and Jackson. It is a complex crossing, particularly for those unfamiliar with it, and vehicles move through it at high speeds. Visibility at the location would be improved with the leveling of a hill that stands in the medium on the northwest side of the interchange. Bob Sfreddo, district highway engineer for the state, says that his department is working with the city of Jackson (in whose jurisdiction it lies) and a private developer to flatten the hill. Sfreddo said the department does not have money to do the project (with an estimated cost in the six-figure range) but will gladly work with other agencies to get the project done.

Most important to road safety is the attention of individual drivers to their tasks. According to police statistics, motorist inattention was listed as a contributing factor in 2,555 accidents in Cape Girardeau since 1986. One of the top accident locations last year was Broadway between Park and West End Boulevard, a one-block area favored by "cruisers." A reasonable speculation is that the minds of these drivers might be on something other than driving.

By government officials keeping an eye on hazardous situations, and by drivers not letting their minds wander, the streets should be safer for all of us.