Dear Mahatma: When will the tornado debris be cleaned up from the Interstate 40 median near mile marker 135? Unlike the shoulders and travel lanes, this remains a mess. -- Back and Forth
Dear Back and Forth: David Nilles, spokesman for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, said there is contamination from electrical transformers that were on a truck that crashed during the tornado. Cleanup has to be coordinated with an approved waste site, and so removal of that and other debris could be delayed.
Dear Mahatma: Another Arkansan dies in a crash and the article says he was "thrown from the vehicle." Is it correct to assume no seat belt? -- I'm Wearing Mine
Dear Wearing: We checked data compiled by the Arkansas State Police, the latest available from 2011. Traffic fatalities and use of restraints, excluding nonmotorists and motorcyclists, broke down this way.
• No seat belt use, 237 fatalities.
• Child safety seat in use, four fatalities.
• Lap and/or shoulder belt in use, 150 fatalities.
• Unknown, 36 fatalities.
Back some months ago, three state agencies announced a plan to reduce traffic fatalities. Part of the plan was for the Arkansas Department of Health to analyze a year's worth of data from fatalities. We've asked to be updated on the status of the study.
Greetings: In last week's column you spoke against honking except in an emergency. If you're sitting at a stop light and the driver in front is texting when the light turns green, what is the best way to let him know he can proceed? -- Treetops
Dear Treetops: The Arkansas Driver License Study Guide says a lot about how to use and not use a horn.
Sound the horn when:
• Someone on foot or a bike appears to be moving into your lane of travel.
• You're passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane.
• A driver isn't paying attention or may have trouble seeing you.
• Approaching a location where you can't see ahead, such as a steep hill, a sharp curve or exiting a narrow alley.
Don't be afraid to sound a sharp blast when:
• A child or older person is about to walk, run or ride into the street.
• Another car is in danger of hitting you.
• When you've lost control of your vehicle and are fixin' to hit someone.
When should a horn not be used?
• To encourage someone to drive faster or get out of the way.
• To apprise other drivers of an error.
• To say howdy.
• Near blind pedestrians.
Metro on 06/07/2014