Ignition locks not the answer

12/18/2012

According to your Dec. 12 article “Ignition locks urged after DUI convictions; Wrong-way crashes spur plan,” between 2004 and 2009 there were 2,139 deaths nationally caused by wrong-way drivers.

The problem with the breath-test devices urged by the National Transportation Safety Board is that 40 percent of wrong-way crashes are caused by drivers who are not intoxicated. The breath-test devices are not foolproof. Someone who is intoxicated could drive someone else’s car that is not fitted with the device.

A more effective way to deal with this problem would be to install a large sign that could blink when a wrong-way driver is detected, or one-way spikes that would stop a wrong-way driver.

A bill before the General Assembly would increase fines for drivers who travel the wrong way on interstates. This would be the least effective way to deal with this problem.

Prevention is the key, not increasing the severity of the consequences after a tragedy has occurred.

RUSS FRYE
Bowling Green

Fines would stop wrong-way drivers

Steeper fines for wrong-way drivers would get the attention of careless people behind the wheel.

Money is a great way to encourage people to obey wrong-way warning signs. Paying costly fines for violations may save lives.

MARGE STOVER
Oregon

Gerrymandering ruins government

Because Republicans control government in many states, they have corrupted the redistricting process to give their party an unfair advantage over Democratic opponents. It makes a mockery of the concept that all votes are equal.

Republicans have gamed the system through gerrymandering. Now the corrupted system is used as an excuse to deny that President Obama has been given a mandate by voters.

Media reports say that nationwide, Democratic candidates received more than a million more votes than Republicans did for U.S. House seats.

Add the malicious overuse of the filibuster by Republicans in the U.S. Senate and you have a potent recipe for obstruction.

Gerrymandering, whether by Republicans or Democrats, needs to end. No wonder Americans have such a low opinion of Congress.

BOB PACER
Delta, Ohio

Mandel always will be a Marine

Referring to Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said: “We’ll recognize [him] from time to time as that guy who follows Sarah Palin” (“Mandel insists loss hasn’t ended career, plans re-election run,” Dec. 2).

Regardless of where Mr. Mandel’s political career will go, I will recognize him as a fellow former U.S. Marine who spent two tours of duty in Iraq. Mr. Redfern can’t relate and wouldn’t understand.

BILL LEFEVRE
Springfield Township