Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (Published 2008)

(Click on the image for Tom's excerpt)

Excerpts from Tom’s excerpt:

• You may suspect that getting people to merge in a timely fashion, and without killing one another, is less of a traffic problem and more of a human problem. The road, more than simply a system of regulations and designs, is a place where many millions of us, with only loose parameters for how to behave, are thrown together daily in a kind of massive petri dish in which all kinds of uncharted, little-understood dynamics are at work. There is no other place where so many people from different walks of life–different ages, races, classes, religions, genders, political preferences, lifestyle choices, levels of psychological stability–mingle so freely.
• Henry Barnes, the legendary traffic commissioner of New York City in the 1960s, reflecting on his long career in his charmingly titled memoir The Man with the Red and Green Eyes, observed that “traffic was as much an emotional problem as it was a physical and mechanical one.” People, he concluded, were tougher to crack than cars. “As time goes on the technical problems become more automatic, while the people problems become more surrealistic.”
• We are all traveling the same road, if each in our own peculiar way. I invite you to join me on that road as I try, over the din of passing cars, to hear what traffic has to say.

Woman loses majority of life savings in Publisher's Clearing House scam

(Click on the image for the report)

• An elderly woman thought she was going to become an instant millionaire, but she ended up losing her life's savings instead.
• 74-year-old Hilda Stead lost $55,000 of her life savings in a phone scam. It all started with a call from a number she didn't recognize. "He said well you're a winner. And I had won $1.3 million and a new Mercedes," Stead said.
• Stead says she wants her story to serve as a lesson, especially for people around her age.
• Here are some other signs of a scam to keep in mind:

1. You're told you must wire money.
2. You have to deposit a check they've sent you.
3. The person on the line claims they're from the government or another organization, asking for money in the form of prepaid cards.

Click here for what Publisher's Clearing House says.

See What It's Like to be a Firefighter - Nov 10

5 Kids Killed in School Bus Stop Crashes this Week

(Click on the image for the NBC News report)

• "Five children hit by speeding car at Tampa bus stop: The driver is now in custody after witnesses say the car slammed into five children and two adults, leaving one child in critical condition. This is now the fourth accident at a bus stop in just the past three days and at least five children are dead."
• Getting on and off a school bus is the most dangerous time for the students who ride it.
• Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov 4, 2018. It will be darker earlier. Wear reflective clothing!
• Please be extra careful so we don't have this tragedy here.

Residents Concerned Speed Camera in Wrong Place to Stop Speeders

Video report from ABC7 News at 6 (October 31, 2018)

• “While we celebrate the community-wide effort that made today’s dedication possible, we must never forget, not for even a moment, the lives lost and lives forever changed because of the crashes on this highway,” said Rev. Dr.  Robert Screen, Chairperson of the 210 Safety Committee. “As a man of faith, I look at today’s camera dedication this way. It is a sentinel for enforcement, a reminder of our mortality and an inspiring hope for the future.”
• “The lives of the many people who have died in crashes on Indian Head Highway have not been in vain,” said Ron Weiss, Vice President, Indian Head Highway Area Action Council (IHHAAC). “The south county community is partnering with our government to transform the ‘Highway of Death’ into the ‘Highway of Life.’ Together, we are improving the roadway, driving safer cars, and now we are learning to improve our driving through enforcement and education. We will model better driving decisions to our children and they will remind us when we fall short. Kind and responsible driving will get everyone home safely.” 
• A local bill is planned to provide flexibility in the camera location within "safety corridors".

Police Thanksgiving Dinner - Nov 15

These pictures are from last year's Police Thanksgiving Dinner

Dear Neighbors,

To express our thanks to the guardians of our community, the District VII Citizens Advisory Council is once again sponsoring a Thanksgiving appreciation meal for the police officers at District VII on November 15th.
We very much appreciate Bennett Caterers (2nd floor of the Long and Foster building) for providing garden salad, roasted beef brisket, grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans and rolls. Susan Gage Caterers is providing their signature heart-shaped brownies to show the force how much they appreciate their commitment to the community. Goodies Frozen Custard will be there too.
Our community was very generous in providing support to this event last year and I am again reaching out to you for tax deductible donations of ready to serve:

• Appetizers
• Turkey/ham/stuffing/gravy
• Chicken wings
• Mac & cheese
• Pie (sweet potato, pumpkin, apple)
• Apple cider
• Disposable plates, knives, forks, cups, and napkins
• Cash donation (Please make checks out to District VII Citizens Advisory Council and send them to Treasurer (Ron Weiss) at 12511 Haxall Ct., Fort Washington, MD 20744.

I’ll provide our 501 (c) (3) EIN to you at your request.
Thank you for supporting our police.
Ron Weiss (weissster@gmail.com)

Reward Offered in Suitland Parkway Shooting Death