Article Preview: Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-05-12

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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services, May 12 Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery Man says he shot girlfriend for nagging Rogue Valley police receive training in dealing with LGBTQ community Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, May 12 Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery Man says he shot girlfriend for nagging Rogue Valley police receive training in dealing with LGBTQ community Man faces attempted murder in Medford choking case Politics and Elections Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Education Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford schools still filling admin roles Appeals court rules against Central Point schools on bus outsourcing Hedrick principal to take helm at North Medford High School More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Environment Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford State News Governor Kate Brown signs bill expanding gun background checks Josephine County preps for more budget cuts Oregon winemakers say trade deal would help open up export markets Remains of soldier killed in 1951 to be buried in Roseburg Obama makes pitch on trade deal at Nike: 'Just do it' Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries In Loving Memory of Laura (Rucker) Hisamoto Donald Kent Hoyt "Donnie" Dickie Miles Hayes Thomas B. Davis Charles Donald Allen (Mac) McCoy Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories RESULTS / STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Teague-led Hawks even series with Wizards Giants' Maxwell a welcome addition Brady Sacked Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon State AD De Carolis to step down Beavers, Utes tie in 15 OSU tosses second straight shutout Maguin steals the show Trio of Raiders shine as CC meet opens Pro Sports Teague-led Hawks even series with Wizards Giants' Maxwell a welcome addition Brady Sacked Clippers rout Rockets to take 3-1 lead Fowler delivers major performance at Players Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Business Latest Stories Cars We Remember: Noted musician unravels 55-year Nash Rambler mystery Pacificorp plans solar farm at former Bly mill site People in Business Business briefs: Avista, Mcintosh, BOLI Blog: 1-800-Flowers.com SEC filing provides peek into Harry & David revenue and cost figures Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Grad party Dianne Williamson: Enough of ‘Say it isn’t so’ Letters to the Editor, May 11 Kathleen Parker: Geller has the right, but commits speech abuse Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Editorials Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Other Views: Court ruling means PERS reform is dead Our View: Could self-serve ban be on the way out? Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Set firm deadlines on blighted houses Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 11 Letters to the Editor, May 10 Letters to the Editor, May 8 Letters to the Editor, May 7 Letters to the Editor, May 6 Columns Kathleen Parker: Geller has the right, but commits speech abuse Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers George Will: The gospel according to Huckabee Dana Milbank: A performance by Lindsey and the Jets Charles Krauthammer: Free Willy! Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan Lifestyle Latest stories Prudence Hilburn: Mexican-inspired dishes easy to make, delicious to enjoy Green roof gardens have several benefits Gardens: Simplicity, sanctuary, delight Furniture trends: Style and storage Community blog: Kids in Brewpubs....... Food Prudence Hilburn: Mexican-inspired dishes easy to make, delicious to enjoy Community blog: Kids in Brewpubs....... Community blog: Fruity french toast makes Mom's, or anyone's, day Community blog: Sorry, Mom, there's more than one beef stroganoff Community blog: Teatime is anytime when recipes brew new dishes Home and Garden Green roof gardens have several benefits Gardens: Simplicity, sanctuary, delight Furniture trends: Style and storage Home Help: Create the perfect outdoor kitchen space One-derful once-blooming roses Health Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day New cardiac rehab center opens at Asante RRMC Community blog: You and Me at 83... Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest Dancing People Company presents 'Salon Series' Theater REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Music Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Tina Malia at SOU Music Hall in Ashland Earthquake benefit for Nepal Community Events 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Movies Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Tom Hardy adapts to life as Mad Max Victor D. Infante: ‘Avengers’ begs the questions, ‘Why superheroes, and why now?’ Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Dining Restaurant inspections: May 10, 2015 Wood-fired pies at Peace of Pizza Trium is a classic example of a boutique winery Restaurant inspections, May 3, 2015 Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery       ...       Man says he shot girlfriend for nagging       ...       Rogue Valley police receive training in dealing with LGBTQ community       ...       Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery       ...       Man says he shot girlfriend for nagging       ...       Rogue Valley police receive training in dealing with LGBTQ community       ...           OUR VIEW Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Two bills dealing with highway traffic have moved into the fast lane in Salem. One belongs there; the other could cause more problems than it solves. House Bill 3402, sponsored by Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, would raise speed limits to 70 mph for cars and 65 mph for trucks on Interstate 84 from The Dalles to the Idaho border and on U.S. Highway 97 between Klamath Falls and state highway 197 leading to The Dalles. Other Eastern Oregon highways would see limits increased as well. Rural stretches of highways built for higher speeds make sense. Car technology, including airbags and anti-lock brakes, have increased highway safety dramatically, and neighboring states have had higher limits for years. Much of Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon is too mountainous for higher speeds, and portions in the northern part of the state are too congested much of the time. But on wide-open, remote stretches east of the mountains, higher speeds will let travelers reach their destinations a bit sooner. HB 3402 passed out of committee too the House floor last week, but was sent to the Ways and Means Commitee for approval of the expense of installing new speed-limit signs on the affected highways. Speaking of congestion, Senate Bill 694 would make Oregon the first state in the country to officially let motorcycle riders "split lanes" in traffic jams, riding between lines of cars moving no faster than 10 p.m. on highways with speed limits of at least 50 mph. The bikers could drive no faster than 20 mph. If you think that sounds crazy, join the club. Motorcycle advocacy groups support the move, saying it increases motorcycle safety by letting bikers avoid being rear-ended by larger vehicles, and increases traffic flow. Supporters also argue it might encourage more people to ride motorcycles, thereby reducing air pollution. The safety argument reminds us of the debate over helmet laws, when bikers argued they could hear other vehicles better if their ears weren't covered, and therefore avoid accidents. Anyone who has driven in Los Angeles, where lane-splitting (technically known as "filtering") is not strictly legal but is tolerated, have seen bikers zipping past inches from protruding side-view mirrors in rush-hour traffic. It's not for the faint of heart. All it would take for disaster would be a driver inching over to look up the road, or worse, someone opening a car door in stopped traffic just as a cycle comes past. SB 694 has passed the Senate. If it passes the House, a biker could be passing you sometime soon while you sit in traffic.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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