YOU SAID IT: Red lights and distracted driving

RED LIGHTS AND DISTRACTED DRIVING

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Re: Troster seeing red; Councillor wants right turns on red lights banned downtown, Aug. 8

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There are many issues regarding the increase in vehicle-versus-cyclist collisions. When cyclists are on the road, they are bound by the Highway Traffic Act as they are considered vehicles. As such, they are required to stop at stop signs and red lights. I’ve witnessed many who don’t, so making right-hand turns on reds illegal isn’t going to make much, if any, difference when cyclists aren’t abiding by the rules of the road.

With more people riding during favourable weather, it’s inevitable that there will be more collisions.

The other issue is distracted driving, mainly by texting. Perhaps it’s time to make that hurt just a little harder in the wallet. A first offence will cost you upwards of $1,000 and a second offence $2,000.

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Drivers think that holding their phones in their laps makes it harder to see what they’re doing. Actually, it makes it easier when someone is always glancing up and down every couple of seconds.

Triple the fine for the first offence and go from there. If people can be fined $25,000 for simply hiking in the woods (Nova Scotia’s new restriction), it only makes sense that this fine suits the crime. Maybe car manufacturers could make it so you can’t be on your phone while the car is running. I’d rather have that than a car that can park itself.

SANDY JOHNSTON

GREELY

SHEEPISH, SCARED ELECTORATE

I am severely disappointed with my fellow Canadian citizens on the election of another Liberal government.

We are in serious trouble here. The Canadian electorate are a sheepish, scared, far-left bunch. Beta males are plentiful.

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We have zero right to point fingers at America as if we are so much more enlightened. Donald Trump is going in the right direction.

BILL DOUGLAS

VANIER

MOUSEY MARK

Mousey Mark Carney, who said he would have his elbows up as his campaign promise to be a tough negotiator with Donald Trump, has turned out to be anything but elbows up.

It seems Carney will ask Trump a question and then scurry away like a frightened field mouse even before Trump answers the question.

The better hockey analogy for the PM would be “Never Drops The Gloves” Coward Carney!

CHRIS ROBERTSON

STONY PLAIN, ALTA.

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