The article asserts that Commissioner John L. Thompson Jr. said, "Money, not words, is needed to solve the traffic congestion problem." I can agree that money is what is needed, but I believe the method proposed to get the money will only make traffic congestion worse.
After reading the article, I visited the Frederick County Government website to see where Commissioner Thompson grew up and lived most of his life. As I suspected, he is a native of Frederick County and has spent his entire life living in Frederick County. I'm not suggesting that anything is wrong with that. But, if he had ever lived or spent any time in New Jersey or New York, where there are tolls, I'm certain that he would never have suggested that we install tolls on our already congested highways. That would be a huge mistake.
Let me give you an example of how tolls would worsen the congestion. Surely, you have all seen the results of a simple distraction on our highways, such as a disabled car on the roadside, or a summons being issued by an officer, or the worst is an accident. The normal flow of traffic seems to slow down and, at times, come to a complete stop, due to rubbernecking. Can you imagine what happens when everyone has to stop to pay a toll?
Commissioner Thompson suggested that vehicles be "equipped with an EZ Pass-type device that electronic toll arches could read without affecting highway speed," and proposed that it be required. It is absolutely not true about it not affecting highway speed. I have had EZ Pass almost since its inception and I have always had to slow my speed down considerably, as I passed through the toll coming from or going to New Jersey.
I grew up in New Jersey, and have made many trips there, to visit family, in the last 8 years. The most agonizing part of every trip was the traffic congestion due to tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway. Having EZ Pass has helped but having a toll booth, in the first place, is what causes the congestion.
My husband always lightened the stress of sitting in traffic by announcing, "If I were to become President of the United States, the first thing I would do, would be to get rid of all the tolls in the entire country!" He says the same thing every time we are in New Jersey, sitting in traffic due to tolls. It has gotten to the point that as soon as I hear him begin to utter, "If I were to become President," I interrupt him by saying, "I know, I know, you'd get rid of the tolls!"
If the intended outcome is to reduce traffic back-ups, let's just find some other way to fund it, rather than installing tolls. Let's widen the highways by adding more lanes. By adding tolls to 70 and 270, the highest price would be paid by the commuters, who are already paying a high price with their investment of time (sitting in traffic), and money (in additional gas used). Tolls will certainly increase the time spent sitting in traffic, as well as money spent on gasoline. I guarantee it.
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