A Post About Posts

Posted by Nancy Powell,
Traffic Management Center Supervisor

May 26, 2010 - A Post About Posts

An odd phenomenon is occurring with some frequency throughout the KC metro area. Vehicles are driving into, around and through highway signs. We at Scout are amazed at the numbers of incidents involving sign posts specifically. Just yesterday morning, a semi jackknifed on NB I-435 at MO 210 and wrapped itself around a sign post, impaling the trailer.



With recurring frequency, the 222B Exit sign on I-35 NB to I-435 WB in Lenexa has been the unwitting target of vehicular assault.



And while on the subject of posts...yet another kind have been under attack recently, but for a very good reason. On Monday, Kansas Governor Parkinson signed into law House Substitute for Senate Bill 300 prohibiting drivers from writing, sending, or reading handheld text messages while driving. Exceptions to this bill include use by law enforcement and emergency service personnel; receiving emergency, traffic, or weather related messages; reporting illegal activity to law enforcement; and using a wireless communications device to make or receive a phone call. Law enforcement will be required to issue a warning citation for violations until January 1, 2011. The fine for unlawful texting will be $60. Missouri adopted Senate Bill 130 last August to prohibit drivers from sending, reading, or writing text messages while operating motor vehicles on the highways of Missouri except under limited circumstances.

If you are one of those techno-savvy folks who can't fathom being without their electronic gizmos while behind the wheel, consider the consequences of being fined, sustaining property damage or worse, a loss of life, perhaps not your own. No electronic message is so important that it can't wait until you are safely at your destination to respond. Let’s give highway posts a rest shall we?