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Show Freeway Problems Discussed at Rotary MeetUJ Sergeant Robert Reid of the Utah State Highway Patrol was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting held August 9. In his talk on "Our Problems on the Freeway," Sgt. Reid presented many of the problems and hazards haz-ards of freeway driving. He said that the area which is patrolled by our local Highway Patrol is the longest stretch of freeway in the sate of Utah. Within the last week four people peo-ple were killed in this area. The most common accidents occur because people drive too long without a rest period, or are under un-der the influence of alcohol or they tailgate, which is following cars too closely. Sgt. Reid stated that the freeway free-way through this part of the State will be completed by the year 1972. April of this year showed an increase in traffic of 20 over April of last year, S'A over May, and 6 over June. There is an average of I2'7r increase in-crease in traffic this year which is three times what it was in 1955. When the new freeway is completed In 1972 the traffic will be five times what it is now. The stretch between here and Paro- wan is a death trap, he said. En- gineering in this area has not caught up with the traffic load. Automobiles today are good machines with good tires, he said. J It is up to the individual to cli- minate accidents. Teople who live in small towns forget how to judge speed and distance. These drivers, Sunday pleasure drivers, and campers and trailer houses J are a real problem to the high- way patrol on the freeways, he J pointed out. In this modern day the truck drivers have orders not to stop to J help people in distress, the speaker said, and indicated that we have a definite need for po- licing the highways. The Rotarians enjoyed a film J entitled "Fast, Safe Freeway Driving" which was very inter-esting. inter-esting. Also included in the pro- gram, which was under the dir- ection of Giles Bolander, was a vocal solo by Douglas Castleton. |