Robert James Thomson Quotes

“Many Saturday mornings, I take 495 from Fairfax to Maryland in the morning, and I'm astonished by the speed of many of the drivers. Even when I drive 70 mph, I'm being passed by people driving 80-90+ at times.”

— Robert James Thomson

“If you think your job requires you to endanger people, get another job.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I don't see any possible excuse for any driver anywhere to endanger people.”

— Robert James Thomson

Automate the headlights so drivers can't forget to turn them on in low visibility.

— Robert James Thomson

“As our eyes age, they have a tougher and tougher time adjusting to rapid changes in lighting, and we need to be aware of this.”

— Robert James Thomson

Some people make a separate argument about the red light cameras. They say it just changes the type of crash that's most likely to occur at an intersection.

— Robert James Thomson

“I can't see a problem with imposing fines on drivers who violate traffic safety laws. The speed limit is the speed limit. A red light means stop. These things haven't changed since people got their driver's licenses.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I don't see traffic fines as a substitute for a commuter tax.”

— Robert James Thomson

Motors that are vulnerable to shorting out because of snow ingestion should have snow filters installed over air intakes, and spare motors should be ready to replace any failed motors.

— Robert James Thomson

Metro shows no signs of being able to make its trains run on time. This occurs during single-tracking and it occurs during normal rush hour service.

— Robert James Thomson

“If you're driving more than 50 mph through a neighborhood where the speed limit is 25 mph, I question whether you should keep your driver's license. You're a menace to society.”

— Robert James Thomson

“My philosophy is: Everybody needs to look out for everybody else.”

— Robert James Thomson

I think that maps showing platform details would be useful to visitors, especially to chaperones of school groups, etc. Also useful would be either a compass rose or an arrow pointing North at every metro exit. Emerging from underground is disorienting, especially at night.

— Robert James Thomson

It would be helpful to be able to see the layout and for the maps to label what exits to use to get to nearby sites/buildings so you aren't wandering the station trying to read the signs in the crowds.

— Robert James Thomson

“Nobody likes paying tolls. It's difficult to explain the concept of dynamic tolling, where the price varies to maintain the flow of traffic. And it's difficult to explain why highway widenings don't wind up helping commuters in the long run.”

— Robert James Thomson

“Over the decades, you got various companies involved in making escalators and you've got Metro varying between internal repair crews and contractors. They're dealing with old equipment, which of course is prone to break down, and the repair crews don't even know what's busted or who made the busted parts till they tear the things open. Then sometimes they have to go back to the shop and manufacture parts, because the original maker has gone out of business.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I'm surprised when I see someone doing the logical, commonsense thing: Walk facing the oncoming traffic.”

— Robert James Thomson

“Many police officers watch for vehicles without headlights because it's a telltale of a drunk driver.”

— Robert James Thomson

When different generations of cars are combined into one train, it messes with the loudspeaker system.

— Robert James Thomson

When I look at the faces of turning drivers, I mostly see them looking in the direction of oncoming motorists rather than at the people they're about to turn into.

— Robert James Thomson

“I wish the dashboard indicators for lights were standardized throughout the auto industry.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I don't know of any source for online maps showing the platform, stairs, escalators, elevators, mezzanines and other station details.”

— Robert James Thomson

Tolling plan is a wonderful opportunity for political pandering, and some candidates are taking full advantage of it.

— Robert James Thomson

Metro, built in the late 20th century, is the most escalator-dependent system in the world.

— Robert James Thomson

“That's the original problem from which the escalator mess stems. There's just too many of them.”

— Robert James Thomson

“The cars themselves are getting smarter and will be increasingly able to assist drivers - to the point where the cars will be completely automated.”

— Robert James Thomson

“There are easily accessible programs to help aging drivers maintain their skills, or recognize when they need to give up their cars.”

— Robert James Thomson

“Seems like people could behave themselves without making a calculation regarding how likely or unlikely they are to kill other people.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I love the cameras and don't mind mailing in my check when I fail to pay attention and go too fast.”

— Robert James Thomson

“Drivers tend to look for other drivers, rather than for pedestrians or cyclists.”

— Robert James Thomson

“I don't believe any sort of traveler does a better job than any other sort of traveler at obeying traffic safety laws. It's difficult to foresee a camera program that can be used with bikers and walkers.”

— Robert James Thomson