[sustran] Sub Rosa Policy and Investment Messages

[eric.britton at free.fr]

[Sub Rosa Policy and Investment Message 1: 
Dangerous news, but that's just about the way it always starts. Here's the
problem. . . and here is the solution. And every time something like this pops
up, it would seem to me that there should be an informed civil society response
which puts the issues - and the choices - into proper perspective. But how can
we make sure that this happens every time?  Interesting question, wouldn't you
say?  Any thoughts on this?
- Eric Britton]

 

New money brings crowded roads and bad drivers
By Liz Mineo/Daily News Staff -
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/8999329467130183679
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - Updated: 11:26 AM EST



GOVERNADOR VALADARES, Brazil - As a result of the riches brought by emigration,
two worlds in this city collide - literally.

The newly affluent, who have made fortunes working overseas, drive fast and late
model cars, and the less well-off, most of whom have yet to emigrate, ride cheap
bicycles. Although they share the roads of this populous city of 270,000, more
than often they run into each other.

Traffic accidents have risen in Valadares, courtesy of emigration.

Experts said it's not only that there are more cars on the roads, but mainly the
fact there hasn't been any real upgrading of roads and bridges to make room for
the exploding number of cars and an already large number of bicycles.

``In the past, it was more common that people had driver's licenses, but no
cars,'' said Firefighter Sgt. Geraldo Rodrigues, 44, who has been with the local
fire force 19 years. ``Now, it's the other way around. It's easier for people
who have worked overseas to buy a car. It's the second thing they do when they
return. After buying a house, they buy a car.''

Indeed. Emigres who return home almost always buy cars, one of the measures of
their success in foreign lands. According to unofficial estimates, more than 200
cars and 300 motorcycles are sold per month in Valadares, where nearly 100 car
and motorcycles dealerships have set up shop to take advantage of the growing
market.
Valadares has 80,000 cars, 15,000 motorcycles and 150,000 bicycles, according to
local officials. It's no surprise there are at least three accidents per day in
the city, and often, the bikes fair poorly.

According to the local fire force, between January and July of this year, there
were nearly 700 traffic accidents with 185, or 25 percent, involving bikes. Of
the 43 fatalities in all traffic accidents over that period, 7 were bicyclists. 

In July, five cyclists died in accidents, a record number that has led local
officials, police and fire forces to start a citywide campaign to raise
awareness of traffic rules. Some put the blame for the traffic crisis on the
bicyclists, many of whom ride recklessly. Others say motorists drive too fast
and don't follow basic traffic rules.

There is also a group of people who see the bikes as remnants of a bygone era
when Valadares was more rural and not like the mostly urban city it is now,
thanks again to money from abroad. Ninety-five percent of Valadares has been
urbanized, and nearly 90 percent of its population lives in the urban areas.

It's said that Valadares ranks third among cities in Brazil with large numbers
of bikes. Downtown Valadares is flat, which makes it very easy for bicyclists to
ride around. There are several dozen bike paths across the city - even over the
underpass that crosses downtown - but they have to share the roads with cars,
buses and even horse-drawn buggies.

By Sunday early afternoon in August, the firefighters have responded to four
emergency calls, including two involving wayward dogs, one serious fall and one
near-drowning. They were waiting for the dreaded call of a traffic accident.

``It happens very often,'' said Sgt. Rodrigues as he showed a reporter several
pictures of fatal crashes and car accidents. ``And when it happens, it's not
pretty.''

 

 

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