Careless drivers are putting others at risk

On Jan. 17, my mother was returning from Sandpoint traveling south on Highway 95.

As she neared her turn onto a private road just past Sagle, she turned on her signal and began the ritual of lightly tapping her brakes to further alert the vehicles behind her that she was about to make a left turn.

However, the car behind her apparently felt this to be an inconvenience and, as my mother stopped in the heavy traffic waiting to make her turn across the north-bound lane, the car immediately behind her passed her on the right shoulder, crossing the rumple strips and continued on its merry way.

This caused the semi behind that car to ram into my mother's at 60 mph.

I don't like to think about what it must be like to be sitting in your car waiting to make your turn and have a semi run into you. I certainly don't like to think of this happening to my mother.

As traffic in this area continues to grow, and drivers with apparently less consideration and awareness come to our area this has become an increasing problem. Mom was lucky to walk away from this accident; I still can't believe it myself. I'm thankful that she is apparently OK.

Yet, I can't help but be angered by the driver who passed her on the right. If they had slowed down, even if it delayed them for 30 seconds this accident could have been avoided.

Of course, the truck driver is responsible for not paying closer attention, but I feel the driver of the other car is the true culprit.

I believe the speed limit needs to be reduced from the Long Bridge to Westmond or beyond. Although there are speed reduction signs approaching Sagle, I live in Sagle and can confidently say the majority of drivers are not slowing down but continue at 65 mph.

With as many people who are trying to continue to live and drive in this area and, with as many drivers who want to put the petal to the metal, the speed limit needs not only to be reduced but strictly enforced, as these types of careless drivers continue to put the rest of us in danger.

CINDY AASE

Sagle