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Friday's Traffic Coverage

R

Robert Bass

OK let’s grade the performance of the traffic coverage from Friday afternoon.

From my experience, Metro Networks was a letdown. They just said “an accident”, and gave nothing more than lane closure information and how far backups were extending.

After seeing the reports on WFAA’s website later in the evening, I gave Metro Networks an F. That was a Hazmat situation, and it’s a miracle the car’s driver survived. When I was in shop class in my middle school years, our teacher warned us about the danger of how easily those types of tanks will explode, if you merely toppled one onto the ground.

Metro is usually very good at providing more specific information, especially when Hazmat and Careflight services are requested from the law enforcement / rescue services standpoint. Not this time. :(

Your turn…

R
 
Wow! The driver SURVIVED?

I heard (forgot the stations) that 4 or 5 acetylene tanks penetrated the windshield and driver's side window of a small sedan. They didn't say anything about a fire or an explosion, but the sheer mass of a single pressure tank made me think that the driver met a horrific end.

I'm appreciative for as much detailed information as is known. I spend at least two hours on the road a day, and ANY info that I can get to change my route helps me greatly.
 
Paul Boomer said:
Wow! The driver SURVIVED?

I heard (forgot the stations) that 4 or 5 acetylene tanks penetrated the windshield and driver's side window of a small sedan. They didn't say anything about a fire or an explosion, but the sheer mass of a single pressure tank made me think that the driver met a horrific end.

I'm appreciative for as much detailed information as is known. I spend at least two hours on the road a day, and ANY info that I can get to change my route helps me greatly.
Click to expand...

According to the news reports, most of the tanks penetrated the passenger side windshield. There are some pictures of the scene over at wfaa.com.

R
 
I know we were reporting the driver died. It was a "deadly" accident. Maybe he miraculously came back to life?
 
I watched WFAA's late news last night They reported that the driver walked away.

Accidents can be deadly without being lethal.
 
radi0chik said:
I know we were reporting the driver died. It was a "deadly" accident. Maybe he miraculously came back to life?
Click to expand...

From WFAA's website:

Six yellow canisters could be seen protruding from the front passenger area of the car but the driver miraculously survived. The driver of the 18-wheeler is also unharmed.
Click to expand...

R
 
Trafficpulse did a far better job. Metro was a deep disappointment in another area 2 days running. WB I-20 at Carrier pkwy one day Mnt Creekpkwy the next. The second one said the accident was cleared off to the left shoulder...WRONG it was 2 Lt lanes blocked..I rolled by it after sitting in the traffic for 45 min in an otherwise 20 min commute
 
I have since learned most everyone else was reporting "Jim Miller Rd." while Metro was saying "St. Francis Ave." :-\

R
 
What IS this, anyway??

Jim Miller is exit #52A. St. Francis is 53A. If they had said Buckner, or Ferguson, that would maybe be a problem. Being off by one exit doesn't seem too uncommon when reporting traffic.

Robert, I've always thought you seemed like a nice guy, so don't assume I'm getting confrontational. But I also know that KEOM gets their traffic services FROM Metro (for FREE, since you're non-comm) so why not just switch over to "most everyone else?"

For the record, I DO NOT work for Metro, so don't think I'm some company puppet. But I also know that Metro is usually ON TOP of traffic problems the majority of the time. I also know that other traffic services listen to Metro to compare notes, since they don't have the kind of camera access that Metro has.

It may be an evil corporate empire like all the others, but I'll hand it to them when it comes to accuracy.

That's my two cents.
 
I didn't learn other stations were saying Jim Miller, until very late in the evening. Yes I agree Metro is normally on top of things, but in this case I don't feel they were at their best. They didn't report anything regarding the tanks, the truck spinning 180, the fallen lightpole nor the fact that the car had been penetrated. That's what I find so sad about the whole thing, because this is the type of information I am accustomed to receiving from Metro.

They just reported there were heavy backups extending into Mesquite, and stated WB I-30 was closed and two lanes on the Eastbound side were closed. Metro is normally more detailed than that.

R
 
As a commuter, I don't care that the truck spun 180, that the driver escaped, a lightpole fell, etc.

I just want to know should I take 75 or the tollway north. Or 183 or 30 west. Or 35 or 45 south. Or whatever is applicable to where I'm living...

And as a programmer, I want that info in a newscast, not traffic. I want my traffic people doing, uh, traffic...
 
Look at it this way... If some of your loyal audience members are already stuck in the backup and they call you and ask, "What's going on?", wouldn't you want to have as much information available, as possible?

R
 
little1 said:
As a commuter, I don't care that the truck spun 180, that the driver escaped, a lightpole fell, etc.

I just want to know should I take 75 or the tollway north. Or 183 or 30 west. Or 35 or 45 south. Or whatever is applicable to where I'm living...

And as a programmer, I want that info in a newscast, not traffic. I want my traffic people doing, uh, traffic...
Click to expand...

I have to throw my two cents worth!

As for leaving this in a news report and not a traffic report.. there are times when it crosses over and makes the transission that it becomes one in the same!

In reguards to Robert, I will say that in your traffic reports that the information that is in the printout.. would suffice.. however.. like so many people will say--- the more information you are able to give the better you sound... I for one would think that Metro would put in more information as possible not only for KEOM, but for other stations that are reading their report and not having voices from their studios or air patrolers...

Sometimes-- a news items is because of traffic.. and then we have to change hats and become the traffic reporter and the news reporters.. its what makes that particular job so challenging!

Just a Thought!

Dave Michaels
Davradio Productions
Plano, Texas
 
Dave is absolutely correct. traffic info. is traffic info, and if it becomes a news story ( and at times has) so what? Usually the trafic reporter on the scene is giving the information to a news stationmuntil their own rporter ( should the ydisptach one) shows up. I have been there, and at tmes ( ice storms in particular) I was "the station's rporter.

Traffic Pulse btw has very good camera access as well. Metro certainly doesnt have a monopoly.
 
Well said, Dave!

This particular traffic incident was worthy of coverage from both standpoints, news and traffic.

R
 
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