> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Two-sides to every coin
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/two-sides-to-every-coin-editor/
- Published: 2008-08-30T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:54:11.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Bill Worden Venice*

While it is always encouraging to see advanced technology brought to bear on persistent problems like traffic control and congestion (“A cure for what ails you,” page 1, Aug. 27), it is prudent to bear in mind that, like the proverbial two-edged sword, its application can cut two ways. The tacit assumption is that this more potent \[traffic light management\] system will be used to speed us to our destinations, but there is no barrier, either technological or legal, to prevent it from being used to give the green light to promoting “traffic calming,” as city staff likes to euphemistically call traffic jams by design. It will be a real test of faith to sit at red lights with no other cross traffic in sight and wondering when you can resume your journey. But, trust them, they’re professionals.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 30, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/083008.pdf?ref=smdp.com)