A Really Good Idea
General, Personal, Professional, Technology, Texas Politics Comments (0)
I missed this when it came out back in May, but the State of Texas has plans to offer wireless Internet service at all of our safety rest stops.
According to the TexDOT press release:
TxDOT began experimenting with wireless Internet service last fall, when the department provided the capability at twin rest areas on U.S. 287 in Donley County. Free wireless service also is available at two rest areas on the same highway in Hardeman County.
“The feedback we’ve received so far has been very positive,” said Andy Keith, Safety Rest Area Program Manager for TxDOT’s Maintenance Division. “Texas’ highways are seeing an increasing number of business travelers, truckers and RVers and access to email is important to them. They have really responded favorably to our four ‘hot spots’ on U.S. 287.”
[...]
“We think this will be a huge win-win for Texas’ travelers,” Keith said. “Knowing free Internet service is available at our rest areas will get drivers to make regular stops. Since fatigue is a factor in 1.5 percent of all crashes, anything we can do to get people to pull off the road and take a break is going to make our highways safer.”
An estimated 1,500 people die in fatigue-related crashes each year in the United States, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. An additional 77,000 are injured.
I think this is a great idea, if it is adequately thought through. For instance, rate limitation needs to be implimented on outgoing email. I’d hate for Texas to become home to travelling spammers who spend their time driving from one rest stop to the next for the benefit of two hours of free high-speed access and all of the outgoing mail that means.
Still, if it would mean getting tired drivers off the road, even for a short break, I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I wonder why no one had thought of it before.
MickC @ November 8, 2004