To the Editor,
In a recent editorial, you stated and expounded on the notion that the speed limit was a law but that we should be allowed to go over it by 5-10 mph. We disagree.
When the speed limit was 55 mph on the NYS Thruway, everyone, it seemed, exceeded the limit. The powers that be decided that they would raise the limit to 65 mph but make sure they notify the public that it would be strictly enforced.
All they did was to make the general low-level speeders legal and keepthe high-speed speeders illegal. We are sure that if enough people complained they would gladly lower the limit to 55 mph and allow you your 5-10 mph of speeding.
By the way, where else is breaking the law "a little bit", legal? Robbing a bank of only $10.00? Stealing just one bag of chips from a store? Taking just one gallon of gas because you are in a rush?
How are we to teach our youth that the law is something to be followed, if we don't do it?
Yes, our students and instructors do drive across the Franklin D, Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge at 25 mph as other drivers get exasperated. But who wants to break the law? Everybody?
Matthew Meltzer, President; Meltzer's Driver Training Center; Wappingers Falls NY
To the Editor,
I read in the Journal of 16 September 2005, an article titled Rain causes 2-car crash.
Years ago, I was appalled that the Journal was misleading the public in their reporting of motor vehicle accidents and I wrote a letter to the editor then. (At the time, the Journal was saying, "The vehicle went out of control.") Thereafter, I noticed articles were written differently (The Journal changed the reporting to read, "The driver lost control of the vehicle.") and I was pleased. My letter was not published and so I was given no credit, but I was still pleased.
So of what adverse writing do I now speak? [The reporter] is blaming the accident on the "rain slicked road" rather than on poor driving habits. Do we really need a sign to say "Slippery When Wet" for us to realize the actuality of it? Every road is slippery when wet. I must congratulate the author for writing "One driver lost control of his vehicle" rather than the old "the car went out of control." But please, let's blame the driver's poor attention to wet roads rather than blaming the wet road.
Matthew Meltzer, Meltzer's Driver Training Center - www.drivingAcar.com, Wappingers Falls NY