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Following items excerpted from the following web site: http://pages.prodigy.com/speedbumps/news.htm (Gaithersburg, June 19) Two fire-related deaths in Gaithersburg, MD have focused new attention on the delays speed bumps cause for emergency vehicles. Channel 9 reported on June 19, 1998 that speed bumps were the difference between life and death in the recent fire. Two children died as a result of the fire and sources indicated that Montgomery County speed bumps delayed rescue vehicles by a minimum of 30 seconds, a conservative estimate. These same sources felt that the speed bump-related delay was fatal for the two boys. We, and other opponents of speed bumps, pointed out this danger almost two years ago. County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, the County Transportation department, and the County Council had the chance to reverse their error and remove the speed bumps. They chose not to. Now we have the first official and unfortunate fatalities, victims of a reckless speed bump program. It makes a horrible story all the more horrifying. No amount of money can replace the lives that were lost, but we encourage the survivors to sue the Montgomery County Government for all damages they are entitled to. We hope those in the neighborhood where the fire occurred who voted for the bumps are satisfied. The deaths are on the hands and consciences of Mr. Duncan, Graham Norton, the Messrs. Berlage, Krahnke, etc., and their rabid speed bump elite supporters; can they live with it? Meanwhile, you, the concerned citizen, can prevent a tragedy like this from happening to your family: + vote no to speed bumps in your neighborhood and on the November ballot + sign the petition--go to www.saveourstreets.org Let me speak directly to each and every citizen of Montgomery County, whether you are one of the many of us who have recognized the danger of the speed bump program to our community, or even if you are one of the few who love speed bumps. We are doing this to save our communities. We have nothing to gain from the removal of speed bumps except for a return to our pain-free system of public roadways which we have paid to maintain. There is no selfish motivation here. And if all logical people join together and vote to end the scourge of speed bumps in this County, you won't have to thank us for our work. You will have yourself to thank, then, when the ambulance can rush to your home and save your unconscious child or your elderly parent in cardiac arrest. When a fire leaves your home with a damaged room instead of a smoldering foundation because the trucks got there in time. Because you will have played a part in returning that standard of safety to your community, by voting to end the madness of speed bumps. If we don't work together, may God help us all. Then that child and elderly person will die because the vehicles had to stop for speed bumps. And just because you wanted to create a private street. Will you be able to live with that guilt? Let's get to work and sign those petitions. Thank you. -- Orson Kane (Rockville, October 11, 1997) Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan continued his one-man dictatorship of the County this week, responding to a new scientific study released by Save Our Streets (S0S) that proved speed bumps slow emergency vehicles by a minimum of 7.3 seconds. Testing vehicles on streets and closed courses, SOS found that they simply could not maintain the speeds necessary to reach victims in time where speed bumps are present. In fact, the study revealed that where bumps are prevalent, vehicles could not respond in less than 5 minutes to any 911 call. Since a heart attack victim suffers irreversible brain damage after 4 minutes without oxygen, this means that a large percentage of heart attack victims in the County will be permanently damaged or die as a result of the County speed bump program. The Bethesda Gazette stated in its editorial this week that based on this new information, they favor the banning of speed bumps, as does SOS. Mr. Duncan's response was surprisingly cold and dictatorial. He stated that he is aware of the danger but vowed to continue the bump program despite the threat to citizens. Ch. 7 also reported that Duncan told them that County emergency vehicles are simply unable to respond as quickly as they could without bumps. Yet, he will not remove the bumps! Are you just going to accept this fate decreed by Mr. Duncan? Sign the petition to remove all bumps! Contact SOS at: NOBUMPS@AOL.COM to get a copy! |