Highway turn arounds a bad idea

I have read the article in the Meridian Star about the J-turns, which the Mississippi Department of Transportation has, not only recommended but has already put it in as a temporary fix on Highway 45 and 145.

According to the article, the Mississippi Highway Patrol issued 217 citations at this location, between July 21-30. What’s that? 9 days. Wow! That tells me that the MHP is really doing its job. But, it also tells me that MDOT refuses to look at that important information.  And, it tells me that the Mississippi Legislature, either doesn’t want to do anything about it, or they just don’t want to get involved, since MDOT does have the authority to do anything they want with the Mississippi Roads and Highway System.

I believe that quite a lot of people, who happened to go through this intersection, were not in full control of their vehicles. I believe that either, there should be J-turns at every intersection, or a law stipulating that no one shall operate a moving vehicle on the open roads while using any type of communication, research device, or cell phone, should be put in place to protect all drivers. And, that law shall apply to all drivers, Mississippi licensed and licensed by another state. And all law enforcement officers should be encouraged to enforce the law concerning this matter.

Going back to the J-turns at all and every Intersection, just think about how much money could be saved, no more stop signs or lights, at all Intersections, which would mean no more electricity for the stop lights, and no more MHP patrolling around the intersections, because there won’t be any more Intersections, which would save money on MHP personnel.

I would also like to say that the so-called Texas turn around in Meridian was also a very bad decision. I lived in Texas for approximately 10 to 12 years, and I never ever saw a Texas turn around designed as this one. The turnarounds in Texas do not have traffic interactions with one another. This Mississippi turn around has traffic interactions with other vehicles and people.

I am familiar with that area, and I believe that this J- Turn will eventually cause a serious problem to the accessibility of certain businesses and even families of the area. I also believe that the residents of that area should have been informed months ahead of the actual placement of the J-turn. I do not live in that area, but if I could I would also sign the petition against the J-turn.

Floyd T. Killebrew Jr.

Meridian