VALDOSTA —
The accident in Homerville Monday is just the latest of many which occur each year in South Georgia between vehicles and trains.
Too often, even if the intersection has signals, motorists will ignore the flashing lights, or drive around the crossing gates, in an attempt to “beat the train.”
Yes, having trains sit idle on tracks that cross busy highways around Valdosta is a nightmare. The trains have been known to block traffic for up to an hour, and 20 to 30 minutes is the average wait time, several times a day, for some of these crossings. However, there are always alternative routes, and everyone knows the tracks are there, so these areas can be avoided.
In Hahira, the city is facing a unique situation in that it has one crossing that does not have signals at all — it only has a stop sign to delay motorists. There are two other crossings within a very short distance, but this particular one is creating some emotional turmoil for the community as the city debates its closure.
A 6 p.m. meeting Monday at the Hahira Courthouse will allow the public to comment on the issue, and the city is actively trying to keep the citizens involved in any future decision.
It’s unfortunate that drivers ignore safety features that are placed there to protect them, and it’s even more unfortunate that train vs. vehicle accidents are often fatal to not only the car’s occupants but to the train engineer as well.
It’s important to remember that railroads are an economic lifeline in any community, and motorists need to respect and obey the flashing lights, the crossing guard arms, stop signs, etc., as the consequences of ignoring them can be deadly.
What We Think
Safety training for crossings
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
