An insurance agent with whom I came in contact due to a careless driver quoted something his father once told him: "A car can be a weapon -- it can maim and kill."
Some know the terribly sad reality of that statement, having lost loved ones, or life as they knew it before injury, or their sense of trust in other drivers. It seems like it's been a slippery slope to carelessness on the roads ("Deadly acts, lightly sentenced," Oct. 10).
To paraphrase a bumper sticker, if you're not outraged, you're just not paying attention! Speeding drivers can be entitled, dangerous bullies, and coupled with distracted drivers, can make the roads just plain scary and, too often, deadly. I used to enjoy driving. Now it feels like a survival challenge.
There's outrage about the light punishment of careless drivers who kill others. There needs to be. I don't see prison sentences as the answer, however. From time to time, we have all been distracted drivers.
I would propose if you kill anyone because of negligent or careless driving, you have one more chance. A second episode that results in bodily harm, and you lose your license.
I'd also take the problems on the road one step further and say that after three driving infractions -- for example, speeding or failure to obey the rules of the road --you have to go back to driving school to keep your license.
Other states struggle with how to impress drivers with their responsibility. Illinois posts signs about a fine for killing a road construction worker --I think it's $14,000. I remember thinking: Wow, that's all?
But I guess it's a start toward nudging drivers toward focused, careful, responsible driving. Driven poorly, your car can be a weapon.
