Radio traffic reports should be paced slower for listeners

July 26, 2002

Like most workers, I commute daily via the roadways. In between listening to the news and an occasional CD during the commute, I need to have timely traffic information so as not to be part of Delaware's largest parking lot, especially on I-95. Two Wilmington-area commercial AM radio stations provide periodic live road traffic reports from the county's highways in their distinctively marked vans during the morning and late afternoon rush hours.

Unfortunately, the spoken delivery of the traffic reports is often at breakneck speed. The motorist's concentration should be focused primarily on the road. Listening to the radio should not be a distraction, putting the motorist at risk.

Maybe it's a generational thing, but I find that I cannot concentrate on simultaneously driving in heavy traffic and comprehending the words when spoken what seems to be almost as fast as the disclaimers at the end of paid commercials.

This rush-rush style of delivery virtually negates the valuable service the stations intend to provide. If these two radio stations really want to provide a useful service for the motoring public, the reporters first need to slow down their delivery.

Second, they also should remind motorists to turn on their headlights during daylight hours when driving in fog for safety and when using windshield wipers when raining. Besides, the latter is required by state law. I would recommend they take a lesson from the stat Transportaqtion Department's 24-hour traffic advisory AM radio station, WTMC (1380), which reminds motorists to do so, and at a slower speed.