Better options than speed bumps
Many of us have had the same experience, driving at night on Bustleton Avenue, and, bang, you suddenly hit a speed bump or, worse, somebody swerves to avoid one and nearly hits you.
I wonder if speed bumps are actually causing accidents? It would seem certain that these bumps, used to slow traffic, are also slowing police and fire response to emergencies.
I can’t imagine what it would be like as an ambulance patient, bouncing over these bumps.
I realize the bumps have been installed to slow crazy driving, yet wouldn’t it be better to create an environment where people are caught and punished for bad driving, rather than punish every citizen?
One shouldn’t complain without offering solutions.
I suggest the city park one or two police vehicles every night at varied spots along Bustleton Avenue and leave some lights on. I think Abington does this.
How about more intense law enforcement just one varied night each week using desk officers. Drivers never know what night they are being closely watched.
Allow police pursuit of drivers speeding, blasting car stereos or using loud mufflers. Note – no speed bump stops loud car stereos or machine-gun mufflers. These disorient drivers and pedestrians, and are real problems, too.
Finally, ask Harrisburg to support more enforcement on the state portion of the road. Cameras, even state police can help.
We saw a recent, terrible head-on collision at Bustleton and Verree, despite the speed bumps. It’s time to bump them in favor of aggressive law enforcement.
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
Data center construction can harm your health
The approval of data center construction in Pennsylvania is an incredibly dangerous move that will harm both the environment and the health of Pennsylvanians.
Elon Musk’s infamous data center outside of Nashville, Tennessee has caused significant air-quality problems for the nearby residents, resulting in serious conditions like COPD and a cancer rate four times the national average. Amazon announced in June that it is building a data center in Bucks County, which currently has an F rating in air quality.
Data centers also use a tremendous amount of water to cool their processors, siphoning water that would be better used for drinking, plumbing and agriculture.
In addition to water, data centers require a massive amount of electricity. Already, Pennsylvania residents have seen their utility bills rise as power companies begin investing in infrastructure for data centers.
It’s difficult to see what Pennsylvanians stand to gain from these data centers. Online AI tools are riddled with errors, spread harmful misinformation and can cause psychological problems with extended use. At the very least, Pennsylvanians should be informed about these planned constructions every step of the way and have an active role in deciding what is best for their communities.
The money and resources being pumped into data centers would be better utilized on infrastructure that actually benefits Pennsylvanians. The state government must limit the construction of these data centers and ensure they follow strict environmental guidelines, if they are to be built at all.
Olivia Tu
Manayunk
