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Need to use 21st century approach

To the editor:
As the holidays approach, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released some bad news: The United States slipped from 1st to 9th in worldwide highway safety. Other countries have used innovative approaches to making roads safer. Clearly, the U.S. is still relying too heavily on 20th century solutions to a 21st century problem.
In Chisago County, we spend a lot of time on the road. Transportation and safety are important concerns for our communities. The 2003 budget cuts have resulted in reduced snowplowing and more accidents with serious injuries. I find this to be penny-wise and pound foolish. Our families and our community values have been put at risk.
Safe highways should be a high priority for Minnesota. We need to keep our roads adequately plowed, and we need to provide more transportation options. Expanding bus service to reach Chisago County commuters can save time, money, and lives. Keeping fewer cars on the road has been proven to result in safer driving.
Solving 21st century problems requires 21st century leadership. Using proven and innovative ideas, the United States can again become a world leader in traffic safety. Minnesota should make safe transportation a high priority, for today and for tomorrow. I hope we all reach our families safely this and every holiday season.
Jeremy Kalin
Chisago Lake Township

Editorís note: Chisago County Highway Engineer Mic Dahlberg was contacted and said there have been no changes in the countyís snowplowing policy or operations because of 2003 cutbacks.

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