Jan. 9, 2002
Truck screening post is dangerous
When the Lab announced before Christmas that the new truck screening
post would be on the south side of the truck route, I couldn't
believe that the Lab would place it in such an obviously dangerous
place. I guess I just don't have much faith anymore, because that's
exactly where the Lab placed it.
Trucks [westbound on East Jemez Road] have to cross the oncoming traffic lane both to enter and exit the post. Predictably, a collision recently occurred between a heavy truck and another vehicle near the post, and now flaggers are at risk standing near heavy traffic to slow and stop vehicles when trucks need to enter or exit.
It appears the convenience of placing the post in an already cleared area outweighed a rational and safe choice of placing the post where it should be, on the north side of the road, so a right turn out and merge into traffic could take place for most trucks without putting motorists and flaggers at risk or slowing the traffic flow.
I suppose someone rationalized that the cement plant and trailer park contributed to crossing traffic so what difference does it make, but the need for flaggers and the collision clearly demonstrate the difference it made. The cement plant traffic is relatively light, and the trailer park traffic is relatively agile.
Was the five-step safety process really conducted before this post was established? Really?
The screening post should be relocated to the north side of East Jemez Road, before a flagger or motorist is killed.
--Carl T. Gilbert