Archived Story

Roadblocks are unsafe; ban them all

Published 12:03am Thursday, August 16, 2012

The City of Vidalia stopped just short of doing a good thing this week as it voted to draft an ordinance banning fundraising roadblocks inside the city limits.fourteen

Banning the practice — which allows people to stand in the middle of the highway and beg for money on behalf of non-profit groups — is a smart thing, particularly in Vidalia.

Almost every year, at least one pedestrian fatality seems to occur on Carter Street — the main drag — in Vidalia.

While most of the deaths have occurred at night, we certainly don’t need to encourage more people to walk in and out of traffic.

The problem is the mayor and board asked that the ordinance to ban the practice include two exceptions for causes near and dear to their hearts.

All of the causes that raise funds in this way are worthy causes, and all of them deserve our community’s support, but it’s not fair to only allow certain groups permission to do something.

If the practice is unsafe and bad for local businesses — business owners complain that customers prefer to drive around the roadblocks, thus curtailing their potential business — then it should be banned for all.

Of all people, our local government leaders should understand that rules must be written fairly and apply to all of us, or they should apply to none of us.

We hope the aldermen will reconsider their plans and ban the practice outright — for everyone’s safety.

Print Article
  • vilou09

    Not to mention it’s annoying and disgraceful to have people, especially KIDS, out there begging for money. Thanks for getting on board with this, ND.

  • Anonymous

    Now, we need to work a little bit on the ACSO Cancer roadblock annually at Washington.

  • Anonymous

    I donate to the cause I want to donate to, not curb-side service. Too many gimmicks now-a-days to just throw your money out of your window. If it’s an important cause people will help. Just stay out of my face…………  

  • Anonymous

    THERE IS NOT “ONE” INCIDENT ON RECORD FROM ROAD BLOCKS IN THE CITY OF VIDALIA. TRYING TO TIE THOSE DEATHS ON CARTER STREET IN WITH THE ROAD BLOCK IS A DESPERATE MOVE TO END THE ROADBLOCK. I, LIKE MANY MORE ENJOY GIVING TO THOSE ROAD BLOCKS. WHEN I ROLL UP TO ONE AND DON’T HAVE ANY CHANGE, I WAVE AND KEEP ROLLING. I KNOW MAKING CHANGE WILL SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS: 90% OF THOSE THAT’S AGAINST THE ROADBLOCKS ARE AGAINST GIVING ALL TOGETHER. THEY JUST DON’T LIKE BEEN APPROACHED TO GIVE. SHAME ON YOU.    

  • Anonymous

    Just give them the hundred and get it over with.

  • Anonymous

    Anyone who would subject their minor child to standing in the middle of a 5-lane asphalt highway for loose change is a complete idiot.

    Anyone who would let allow people to stand on a public right-of-way and beg change from driver’s windows is totally irresponsible.

    Anyone who disagrees, well…that’s certainly your right and privalege…but don’t expect these pedestrian roadblocks to always go without incident. What will it take? One accident? Two? A death of a child? Or more?

    Its common sense. Our parents always taught us to stay out of the street. Stop and look both ways before crossing the road. But somehow it makes perfect sense to put our youth out in the middle of a major US Hwy 84 with a plastic bucket in their hand…FOR LOOSE CHANGE???

  • Anonymous

    Not to worry, the City of Vidalia will approve the use of Louisiana Purchase cards at these roadblocks…then you won’t have to drive by and wave…you can just swipe and grin knowing you’ve done your part.

Editor's Picks