To The Editor: This is in response to the recent article by Joe Hart about the fatal accidents along Route 47. Unbelievable — 10 years and 28 deaths in two prominent townships, and what is being done about it? We all agree that the roads we drive today weren't engineered to handle the traffic we endure especially in the summer season. We know that drinking and driving is a problem no matter what road we drive, but come on. If I were a parent of one of these unfortunate 28 people, I would want something done to prevent any more fatal accidents. Memorials on the side of the road don’t do enough. In the article, Hart noted that the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety is cracking down on intoxicated drivers and that townships were awarded $5,000 in grants to participate in this crackdown, but is it really addressing the issue of Route 47? Is something being done to make this road safer? What about the annual grant of $27,000 to fund supplemental patrols targeting aggressive drivers? Every time I travel Route 47, I don't see a police car. No one is around when people are passing me or crossing the line into my lane. Can the townships of Middle and Dennis come up with some ideas on how to make this road a safer road to drive on? What about better lighting, or more signs posting “do not pass,” or brighter solid yellow lines, reflectors on the road, or raised concrete or guard rails in the middle of the road? Something has to be done to the road itself. Traffic lights, stop signs, lower speed limits? Something other than the DOT keeping it safe by completing periodic construction projects. The realigning of the intersections and installing signals is a start anyway, but more needs to be done. Let's look at all of those red dots on the road where those fatal accidents occurred. Could you imagine if we put up large crosses at each of these fatal accident locations? I think it would creep out the tourists as they drive by. Middle and Dennis townships better start analyzing this and come up with better solutions that will actually improve the road for safer driving. It's the townships’ civic duty to protect and provide for their communities. Some questions to answer first: • What is going on, or what can be done at milepost 7 to 7.7? Three lives were lost there. • What about milepost 15.3-9? Five lives were lost there. Come on, folks, we don't want to be known as the townships with the most motor vehicle accidents or deaths do we? This is an embarrassment; a disgrace, and we pay for it with our lives. The challenge is for Middle and Dennis to investigate. Think hard and act on positive road safety ideas, not just spend grant money on a program to crack down on intoxicated drivers. The bar owners, the liquor store owners, and people in general have to work together on that. Put this money to work. Post signs, change the road, add reflectors, streetlights, blinking lights, rails, wider lanes or road bumps — something. Please. Ten years, 28 deaths! Middle and Dennis need to act now so our next 10 years can look brighter; maybe 0 deaths on Rt. 47 because of their efforts. CHRISTINE MEEHAN Rio Grande