Clarksdale does not have a problem with traffic, but it does have problem drivers.
Your Clarksdale Press Register routinely gets calls about accidents and close calls. Sometimes they are mad. Most of the time they just want other motorists to drive as politely and as carefully as they do.
We offer five tips to Clarksdale drivers:
1. Be mindful of blind spots. Watch the road, minimize lane changes and ALWAYS check side mirrors before changing lanes.
2. Understand safe braking distances. It always takes longer to stop than you think. A good rule of thumb is two car lengths for city driving and two-seconds of space on the highway. The two-second rule means watching the car in front of you pass over a bump or pass a road sign and you count slowly to two. If you cross the bump or sign before two - you’re too close.
3. Avoid distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that delayed driver reaction causes 90 percent of rear-end accidents. Stay off the phone. Ignore the kids.
4. Drive the speed limit. Law enforcement has a saying: “Speed Kills.” Driving fast is a recipe for a wreck.
5. Report reckless driving. Dangerous drivers need a ticket. If you spot a dangerous driver, safely use your cell phone to call 911 with a description, location and tag number of a dangerous driver. Phone numbers for police and sheriff can be found elsewhere on this page.
We also ask both Clarksdale Police and Coahoma County Sheriff’s Deputies to work harder to make our roads safer.
Tickets do reduce traffic accidents. The driver who gets one or two usually does drive a little slower and safer.
We also ask our courts to enforce justice on traffic violators. In Mississippi a speeding ticket can cost up to $300. That money is useful to both city and county government.
And it might just save a life.
