Illuminating issue of lights
Eliminate the glare
Regarding “Houston-area cops sue Tesla after autopilot system is blamed for crash,” (Sept. 28): It is not just robots that have trouble interpreting extraordinarily bright police car lights; it is human drivers, too. These lights make all lane markings disappear and make judging distance difficult. While TxDOT regulates excessive glare from other vehicles, its recommendations for emergency vehicles are dangerously outdated. Newer lowglare LED lighting designed for traffic stops highlighted in Police Chief magazine was found to dramatically reduce collisions with police cars in a Massachusetts study.
While the flexibility and cheapness of LEDs is a huge advantage, their misuse — whether it is on police cars, car headlights or exterior lighting — is “glare on steroids” which blinds instead of illuminates. The lighting industry seems to financially thrive on creating products that do not work. We need education for our leaders to stop this bamboozle, resulting in expenditures of thousands of dollars to install lighting that blinds. If sheer brightness worked, Houston would be the lowest crime and lowest accident city in the world. The responsible use of low-glare LED lighting design would double down on energy savings, help us see far better, speed up recovery from power outages and create a beautiful and safe nightscape.
Houston strives for a Vision Zero future to reduce accidents. But right now what we have is zero vision.
Deborah Moran, Houston
Kowtowing to Trump
Regarding “Editorial: ‘Stay! Audit!’ Trump commands — and Abbott obeys,” (Sept. 27): It has become laughable to think how deeply Greg Abbott bows to the former president. At what point will certain Republicans face the fact that they were whipped in the last presidential election? Better yet, when do they stop supporting the former president’s assertion that the election was “stolen” from him? The notion is becoming stale; the same parroted lines have been worn threadbare, and the most recent failure to find even a shred of voting irregularities in Arizona should give reasonable Republicans pause. A long, deep, complete pause. Yet here is Greg Abbott, initiating an embarrassing audit in his own red state; picture a majority of Texas residents scratching their heads, struggling to understand. Time to get some new material and stop the useless, fruitless search for the boogeyman inside the voting machines. Work for the people, not for the last guy to inhabit the White House.
Brenden McBride, Katy
Regarding “Texas announces details for two-phase election audit of 2020 results in four large counties,” (Sept. 28): If I’m not mistaken, Harris County has replaced all of the voting machines that were used in the 2020 election with new machines. Hopefully the Texas Secretary of State’s Office won’t have to dumpster dive to test the old ones.
Joseph Quinlan, Houston
Regarding “There’s no need for a 2020 election ‘audit’ in Harris County — or anywhere else in Texas,” (Sept. 29): It’s a mystery how an audit of an election nearly a year after the fact, ordered by the man who was defeated nationally, would show transparency or improve trust in the voting process.
The craven kowtowing by our governor and other Trump acolytes just confirms the rot that pervades the Republican Party, infesting the political system with mistrust and lack of clear policy.
A waste of time, money and more credibility by a party that acts more socialistic than the Democrats they excoriate.
Bob Gayle, Houston
Investing in youth
Regarding “Biden plan seeks to expand education, from pre-K to college,” (Sept. 26): I remember reading the Sept. 10 article, “Scarcity of skilled workers poses challenges for infrastructure plan,” and thinking, does everyone see the great opportunity to put young Americans into well-paying, badly-needed jobs?
With older workers retiring, and an upsurge in construction, new help is needed. But skilled laborers are made, not born. President Biden’s plan for two years of free community college could put young men and women into the workforce while helping rebuild our aging infrastructure and renew our power grid. Older homes could be weatherized, pipe leaks could be mended and broadband installed.
Our national security depends on a skilled, well-paid labor force. When you need a plumber, you need a plumber now, and not next week.
Just as a high school education became free on a wide scale in the 19th century, free higher education could pay off many times over in the 21st.
Nancy Perich Daly, Houston
Regarding “Opinion: It’s time for us to live up to our Statue of Liberty ideals,” (Sept. 27): I was moved and impressed by the three letters from “juniors in high school,” Evan Banchs, Ryan Lade and Nick Wachel. The letters were well-written and thoughtfully addressed pressing national issues. They reflect well upon the intelligence of these young students, and the excellent teaching of writing and history that each has obviously received.
Jim Greenwood, Houston