Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Today I drove down Ga. highways 279 and 314 in Fayette County. It was like running an obstacle course. People were driving crazy! They were speeding, changing lanes without giving directional signals, tailgating, then getting angry and giving the finger when they couldn't get through traffic.

It was terribly unsafe. The speed limit meant nothing nor did the heavy traffic.

What I witnessed today made me aware of why automobile insurance rates in this area are so high. I am convinced many drivers are just ignorant of good driving practices.

Gov. Barnes, the state legislature, the Department of Public Safety and local governments should institute laws designed to help curb this reckless driving. Making it mandatory that in order to get a driver's license, everyone should take a defensive driving course, would be a good start.

Also, when drivers get certain types of traffic violations, they should have to take such a course or have their license revoked. This type of action would be a step in the right direction.

How many people have to die on our roads before something meaningful is done?

Daniel Lowry

Fayetteville

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