×

Green Lantern

GREEN IS a popular color when associated with the environment, but the Ohio Department of Transportation is thinking of safety in regard to the surroundings when it proposes the use of green lights on its snowplows.

ODOT recently announced it was “taking a cue from the comic book superhero who uses green light to protect the people of Earth” when hoping a Green Lantern will help in avoiding crashes between its snowplows and vehicles.

The Green Lantern of comic book fame isn’t the same as the Green Hornet, who was a crime-fighting masked crusader in the 1930s and is featured this year in a superhero comedy film. Those in the Green Lantern Corps were known as protectors of peace and justice.

NOT having anything with mystic powers associated with the Green Lantern, ODOT is more down-to-earth as it proposes the use of flashing LED lights atop snow removal equipment as a way to help snowplows to be seen better on highways throughout the Buckeye State.

At present, the Ohio Revised Code only permits ODOT to use yellow flashing lights, commonly shared by other non-emergency vehicles such as tow trucks and mail delivery vehicles.

Research, however, indicates that green lights have better visibility in snowy, wintry conditions.

ODOT pointed out that snowplows travel slower than posted speed limits, and many crashes are caused by drivers who don’t anticipate how fast they will approach the slower-moving plows and crash into the back of the trucks.

In addition, a visibility problem may occur because of the cloud resulting when a snowplow removes the ice and snow from the highway.

The resultant crashes can result in serious injuries or fatalities.

It was noted the number of crashes involving drivers hitting ODOT snowplows already is higher than last winter’s total.

ODOT has included the green lantern proposal in its requests for the 2012-2013 State Transportation Budget so the outcome will be determined by the state legislature and the governor. If approved, it wouldn’t be effective until the next winter season.

Considering safety factors involved, it’s obvious the green light on snowplows should be given the “green light.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today