Wednesday, April 15, 1998

High-speed driving

Now that we have an elevated vehicular speed limit, the question arises as to what is causing so many accidents. The answer, evidently is the neglect of the driver to associate physical tiredness caused by extreme attention requirements for high speed driving to the needs of safety.

So many times I have been passed on the highway like I am just standing still. This happens to me when I am driving within the speed limits.

If drivers will not take care of following the law, the law must take care of the drivers. In Brown County it has been verbally admitted that there are not enough deputies to patrol the county. We have speeders in areas where there are men, women and children walkers. It is frightening to see a vehicle doing in excess of 35 miles an hour in a 25 mile per hour zone.

It is therefore suggested that Brown County hire and train 10 new deputies. Buy the vehicles for them. Schedule their duties to definite areas around the county. Stop and fine speeders. It is my opinion that Brown County will not only have paid for their hiring, training and vehicular expense, but also make a profit in six months.

Not only would it be safe to cross the street in residential areas, but also theft and vandalism would be put to a screeching halt.

This system could work in any county. We pay vehicular registration and road tax. Immediate effects are not readily seen.

Tax the speeder. We will all see results quickly.

DAN FRIEDMAN

Brownwood

Via e-mail

Not smokers' fault

The news media daily reports of "Teen usage continues to rise: alcohol/drugs/tobacco ..."

Surprised? Even in small towns, "good ole boys (and girls)" are not as innocent as they appear. A lengthy list could be made of all the 13- to 18-year-olds in this and surrounding counties who have their folks fooled or have folks who just don't care so long as the kids are "out of the way."

A majority of these young 'uns are already heavy alcohol consumers. I cannot see that higher prices/taxes are slowing any of them.

A "puffer" for nearly 30 years, I feel that this penalty to slow up the young is being taken out on my generation and older, financially. This stirs up anger. I feel such a disappointment in the U.S. government, to treat its people in such a manner.

Remember the history books? Americans had this dilemma with the British Royals, famously known as the Boston Tea Party. The government has really got us by our wallets, knowing that giving up the tobacco isn't as easy as dumping the tea overboard.

It's frustrating only a few actually speak out. Face it, there are many other ways to a premature death. Why single out this particular one?

Tobacco is (was) a privilege and a right. With all rights come responsibility and consideration. Why raise the tobacco tax to the people, since the tobacco companies are already being forced to pay it all?

I feel this increase has already gone too far.

MAE MARTIN

Rule

Get tornado sirens

Your April 9 editorial about tornado sirens was right on.

Abilene is as much at risk as anywhere, and yet the city is totally unprepared to warn folks. I attend church in Abilene and many other functions and meetings. I stay on top of the weather and feel pretty safe about myself. I worry about those who depend on others to keep them safe.

DON "HOSS" SMITH

Fire chief

Hawley

Via e-mail