Daviess County, Kentucky Roads Need Center Line Reflectors for Those Troublesome Rainy Evenings

Long before my mother stopped driving, she made it a point to never again drive at night or, especially, in the rain.

DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT

A few days ago, her decision came into sharp focus for ME--even THROUGH a rain-soaked windshield with wipers raging. I began to wonder, "Oh no, here it is--that tell-tale sign of serious aging where you decide to stop doing things like, yes, driving at night in the rain."

But it isn't that. My vision is perfectly fine. I got corrective eye surgery nearly 15 years ago and haven't require glasses since. That's not the issue. The issue is not being able to see the center line, which is kind of important, in my humble opinion.

I live out in the county, and the other night, while driving toward town, I realized how difficult it was to see the center line with rain pelting the windshield and oncoming headlights creating further visual impediments. And it hit me immediately--there are no reflectors on the center lines of U.S. 231 south of Owensboro. And that, for me, is a real problem.

THE NEED FOR CENTER LINE REFLECTORS, OR RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS

Headlight glare reflecting off the wet road dims the view of the highway which becomes even darker-colored when it's raining. By the way, there are no reflectors on the white edge lines on the sides of the road either. And it's not just 231.

I've noticed that many roads in Daviess County are without center line reflectors, or raised pavement markers. Even on four-lanes it's somewhat of a nuisance, although it's tempered a bit by the fact that motorists have more room.

Oh and let me throw THIS in, too. A number of headlights these days are those ultra bright halogen lamps that are, in some cases, brighter on the "dim" setting than mine are on the "bright setting." And obviously, it's not like you can turn away when you're DRIVING.

IS THERE A MANDATE REGARDING RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS?

So I consulted the Federal Highway Administration's website and there is a large and comprehensive list of requirements for raised pavement markers for center lines and edge lines. But I didn't see anything there regarding their MANDATORY usage. So I don't know what happens next.

I do know that you can actually BUY them online. No kidding. I did a search of raised pavement markers and it was a long line of commerce sites that popped up first.

But I doubt I'll buy a bundle and go install them myself. I believe the sheriff's office might have something to say about it.