Your daily Letter to the Columnist — Nov. 28, 2012
Wikimedia Commons | Altered by Dan
Did state police drop coverage of accidents on ‘country roads?’
At some time back (don’t know when), the state of Virginia decided the State police would not cover or help people involved in an accident on “country roads.”
Don’t know what country roads mean, maybe secondary or rural or maybe it’s the number of houses in a mile. I understand the training they receive is extensive including determining the cause of an accident.
AS I understand this has been turned over to local police or sheriffs. Most I know have only had a minimum of training before being put on the road.
I would like to know when this took place, who made the decision and do they have a guideline as to what roads are included?
Also does the degree of seriousness help decide which police force responds?
Dennis
LIVING ON ONE OF THESE ROADS
November 28, 2012 - 1:00 PM
I don’t claim to remember all the details, but I think this was one of those save money for the state, drop it on the locality moves so that legislators could crow about not raising taxes.
Dennis…
Here in The Dallas area we have that in the metro areas
to keep the flow of traffic going.
I think in most municipalities the idea is more
to keep traffic flowing and have a few trained folks
to lend a hand. It can be deadly dangerous here for a civilian
to try to get out and render roadside aid. Commuters are nuts down here
and you feel like chum bait on the side of the road…ive been there!
Heres a bit on the ending of the service in your area..though it appears
VDOT is picking up the slack.
http://articles.wdbj7.com/2012-09-19/vdot_33957819
Hey…I just realized…
That must be you in that piece!!!