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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- May 16, 2006
Dear Editor;
Most legislators weigh carefully the pros and cons of new laws, yet we accept without question laws regarding impaired driving. So, is a person impaired if speaking on a cell phone while driving?
Last week in Chilliwack, a seventeen-year old student, driving while speaking on her cell crossed into the bicycle lane and killed the mother of two young children. According to the news piece, the student driver was in shock. There was no mention of the traumatized state of the dead mother's husband and young family.
So, as all good reporters should, they interviewed the student driver's friends at school. The students all expressed shock and disbelief that their friend was responsible for this terrible catastrophe.
Yet - and here's the rub - they all said that they would keep on using their cells while driving.
Okay, let's cut those students some slack due to immaturity. If they are not yet old enough to make responsible decisions then they are also too immature to drive a car.
Now, let's talk once more of impaired driving legislation. If people donıt have the common sense to pull over while impaired, then responsible government has to provide heavy penalties for irresponsible people. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Please speak to your MLA and MP. Itıs a free call if you use their 1-800 numbers.
Thank you,
HP Toews, Princeton
