Comments by darylwalker
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Posted on June 19 at 4:36 p.m.
Now that you know the law, let me say that on many occasions I've been in a situation where I'm in my patrol car with lights and siren running behind a car that for some odd reason just refused to move over. Maybe they were thinking to themselves, "I'm the only car on the road and the right lane is clear. Why doesn't he go around me?" What happened to this deputy is EXACTLY why. People tend to panic when they glance up and notice blue lights flashing behind them and make erratic choices in what to do. I've been behind a vehicle on the interstate with my lights and siren going driving behind a it for over a mile before he realized I was back there. What'd he do when he noticed? He came to a complete stop in the left hand lane of the interstate.
You'd be surprised at some of the things we see people do.
You should always travel in the right lane unless passing a slower moving vehicle, turning, or passing an emergency/maintenance/recovery vehicle on the side of the road. Not only is this the law, but it do a great deal to prevent incidents like this from happening.
Posted on June 19 at 4:18 p.m.
(3) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of authorized flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(a) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary recovery vehicle or the highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a roadway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(b) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and being prepared to stop, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(4) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise clearly requires:
(a) "Highway maintenance vehicle" means a vehicle used for the maintenance of highways and roadways in this state and is:
(i) Owned or operated by the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state; or
(ii) Owned or operated by a contractor under contract with the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state;
(b) "Recovery vehicle" means a truck that is specifically designed for towing a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles.
(5) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine:
(a) Of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); or
(b) Of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) if violation of this section results in:
(i) Property damage to the emergency vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or recovery vehicle; or
(ii) Bodily injury to the driver or a passenger of any such vehicle.
(6) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, a recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway.
Sources: Codes, 1942, § 8199; Laws, 1938, ch. 200; Laws, 2007, ch. 315, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2007.
Posted on June 19 at 4:18 p.m.
§ 63-3-809. Procedure upon approach of authorized emergency vehicles; duty of driver of emergency vehicle.
(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.
(2) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing, blinking, oscillating or rotating lights, as authorized under Section 63-7-19, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(a) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a roadway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(b) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and being prepared to stop, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
Posted on May 4 at 9:55 a.m.
There are many other law enforcement agencies other than what rushinghjr mentioned in his post that need everyone's support, but for some reason most forget those. For example, I'm an officer of the MDOT and people tend to forget I'm there. We're all out there patrolling the same roads you travel every day.
That being said; yes, Natchez police officers seriously are in need of a raise. How does it look when the people that are paid to protect you and your family are only paid $24k a year? Remember the old saying "You get what you pay for"? In saying that, I'm in no way trying to put down any officers of the NPD. The ones I know work hard and are good people. They do what they do because they love the job. But it's only logical when they can receive better pay somewhere else, they go to it.
One thing NPD needs to do (other than a pay raise) is what I've seen other departments do. Require a new hire to sign a contract that requires them to work for NPD for at least 4 years. If they default on that contract they should have to reimburse the city for their training cost. I've seen and heard many stories of NPD offers being hired and sent to the academy only to quit and go to work for some other department as soon as they were finished with their training.
This is a problem that I believe requires several steps to solve. I hope they city can figure out the solutions and give these officers what they deserve.
Posted on April 27 at 5:23 p.m.
It's located over next to Wendy's on 61 north.
Posted on April 25 at 8:17 a.m.
First off, I agree if a tree is in danger of hitting a power line, something needs to be done. What I find odd is the way some of these trees are "trimmed". For example, has anyone looked at the magnolia trees that were recently "trimmed" near Parkway Baptist Church? I'd rather see the entire tree cut down before seeing it "trimmed" into the shape of a "U" underneath the power line. That's just ugly.
I understand the cost of burying all the power lines in Nachez would come at great cost, but why not start doing it in stages? One section now, another later, etc... Look at Village Green subdivision. It was built about 30 years ago and even then they had the forsight to bury the power lines when they built it. Why didn't that continue? You would think in 30 years time they'd have been able to slowly phase it in and have the entire city done the same way.
Posted on March 24 at 8:20 a.m.
thetinman wrote: "You ask me, the intersection where the weigh scale use to be and Walgreens needs it more!!!!!!!"
Don't worry. There are plans to construct an overpass there in 2009. Our traffic woes won't end with the new intersection at the hospital. ;) It's a temporary inconvenience, but in the long run I think we'll all be happy with the results.
Posted on March 15 at 8:26 a.m.
I believe the do sell pepper spray at Natchez Pawn Shop next to the bowling alley. As babev1 said, pepper spray is not always effective, but more often than not, it will work. I've been sprayed with it myself to be certified to carry it at work, and trust me, it's not a pleasant experience.
Posted on January 23 at 8:01 a.m.
Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers,
Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
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Posted on July 1 at 5:42 a.m.
I'm glad to hear they're finally putting a turning lane in at the foot of the bridge. I've only been saying the should do it for the last 20 years.
On Bridge affected by road work