I do not understand the obsession Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, has with teenagers. Of course we parents worry when they drive, and all traffic deaths and injuries are terrible. But I think Pike is trying to generate “solutions” for their own sake after her New Jersey-style new driver decal bill stalled in the state Legislature. A May 27 story reported “Pike won’t let fears for teen drivers idle.”
Anyone can look up data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, and if one does so for Clark County, the preliminary numbers for 2014 show that the youngest drivers are not the biggest problem, it’s adults age 18 to 25 who are responsible for far more serious-injury crashes.
The Columbian reported earlier this year there is a paucity of traffic patrols in Clark County. Common sense would suggest increased traffic patrols might be good for everyone, but that would cost money, so unless someone finds a way to fund more patrols, all this talk is just a bunch of hot air.
Jon A. DeVore
Vancouver
