Thumbs down to BMS official Kevin Triplett’s preference that Bluff City, Tenn.’s speed cameras be turned off for race weekend, (Bristol Herald Courier, March 11). And thumbs up to Bluff City officials who say no! Turning off the law to accommodate any event or group is totally unacceptable, and to my knowledge, against the law.
Isn’t it enough that the 160,000-plus race fans are allowed to consume countless gallons of alcohol during the races, then drive on local highways, putting the lives of local citizens, and their own, in jeopardy? Must they also be allowed to drive above the speed limit to get there and back?
As for first time visitors not having “local knowledge”; speed limit signs actually exist all over the country and licensed drivers know what they mean, thus knowing about speed cameras is unnecessary, unless you intend to speed.
I have lived in five different states and I have never seen a speed limit sign that said, Speed Limit 65, unless you are in a hurry, or Speed Limit 45, unless you are from out of town. Absurd, yes, but apparently not to BMS officials.
I am not a resident of Bluff City, however I have a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren who are, and their safety year-round far exceeds the importance of race fans being able to speed to and from the race track two weekends per year. Speeding is legal on the race tracks, nowhere else. Let’s leave it there. Perhaps Mr. Triplett could suggest they just leave for the track early.
Anna R. Johnston
Marion, Va.
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