A guest editorial by Mark A. Palmer

Major traffic accidents that involve light rail are becoming worse. With developers and city officials not providing safety features needed for motorists, the number of accidents are become alarming. The powers that be want you think differently. Ask them, if light rail is so safe, why are people being killed?

The accidents have usually resulted in the rail cars to derailed and power poles knocked over; causing major congestion for lengths of time while the accident scene is being cleared. Fatalities are not limited to motorist but pedestrians as well.

August 11, 2004, Associated Press reported that Houston, Texas is averaging six crashes a month — a rate 20 times worse than the average for the nation's 17 light-rail systems

Interesting, studies are devoted to improving light rail transit safety through improved signal and traffic systems crossings. Is it a wonder that many consultants find this to be a source of lucrative and steady employment?

Monorails have some of the best safety records and cities should look at this. Monorail, being grade-separated, cannot meet pedestrians, bicycles, or motor vehicles; therefore, no consultants need to be paid to study ways to avoid collisions. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt was open to using a monorail system for state but did not have enough support.

Construction is not the only concern for light rail. Many other areas of concern exist with light rail and safety. For example: passengers boarding without buying tickets. This has been a major problem around the country. It has taken major crackdowns and costs deal with problem.

Buses have drivers that collect the fares as passenger comes on. Riders of light rail are required to purchase tickets using vending machines on station platforms before they get on. One of the advantages of light rail, CATs said, is it allow for rapid boarding. In addition, the driver, locked in a booth, is able to concentrate on operating the train.

Light rail systems across the country find it is too expensive to have an employee checking tickets on every train, so they leave the task to police officers and fare inspectors. They make random trips up and down the line or position themselves at a station, asking to see tickets on board or once passengers have exited. Another difficulty is checking tickets with the random stops, with people coming and going.

With ridership of light rail low in cities, it has open a door for serious crimes such as rape and robbery. The problem has been the same everywhere: not enough police and personnel. What will our city officials do? It took them several years to hire new police officers the last time they were needed.

Our city has allowed our public safety take a back seat to the bureaucratic correctness of development. The same applies with Homeland Security. Charlotte is a sitting duck for a chemical attack. Terrorists could use a train that is carrying chemicals and release it upon Charlotte. Even worse are the many train cars that already sit on the tracks by schools and parts of our city. Throughout the world there have been all kinds of train accidents that have occurred with chemicals.

Colonel David Hunt, a military consultant to President Bush and various media outlets, spoke in Charlotte after the terrorist attacks that took place in London, England, which involved their commuter train. In the Q&A section, he was asked if Charlotte leaders should be concerned about light rail and rail. Colonel David Hunt replied most definitely and was concerned about the city's plans for rail. Several city council members were upset with this type of question. If a terrorist attacked or a train accident happened that involved toxic chemicals people would not have a chance. Just think: if this would happen near a school or downtown what would the outcome be!?

Mayor Pat McCrory and city officials have heard these concerns and nothing has changed. This is what occurs when heritage and democracy have gone. Officials seem to look over issues and want to band-aid city problems by different committees. Mayor Pat McCrory an elected official is accountable to the citizens of Charlotte, still has not enacted to any of these matters.

"Ask, who will pay the price? Charlotte-Mecklenburg Taxpayers, thatÂ’s who and hopefully not with their lives."

Mark A. Palmer / Spokes person-Take Back Charlotte Mecklenburg

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