Increase of
traffic-related
deaths no surprise
I was not surprised to see that the United States death rates have increased by 13.5 percent from 2010 to 2016, plus that we have the highest traffic-related mortalities of the 29 nations in the study. Indeed, in all but five nations, the rate dropped during this time period.
When cellphones became commonplace, traffic deaths in this country dropped precipitously. Why? Because emergency personnel could be notified immediately. No more driving to the nearest exit ramp and trying to locate a pay phone. Then, laws limiting cellphone use while driving came into being. This created texting while driving. People have been talking to others while driving since cars were invented. I used to talk my daughter home every weekend on her two-hour late-at-night drive, thus keeping her awake and alert.
Now those without hands-free devices are texting. A couple of years ago, I totaled my car as I tried to avoid another vehicle that turned into my lane. At the time I thought he was trying to make a left turn and somehow didn’t see me. I was later told by the four witnesses, that the driver of that vehicle was texting. Since cellphone usage in vehicle laws have been enacted accidents rates have shot upwards. There must be a better way.
Cindy Kuupua Whitehawk
South Kona
More action
needed in accidental donkey shooting
I was very pleased to see Max Dible’s article in the Thursday paper.
When the story first came out and nothing was done about the careless person who hot Mele, I asked one of your writers to follow up on the story. This morning, when I saw Max’s article I was pleased that the story wasn’t over. That irresponsbie person who shot Mele should be made to pay not only for another donkey but also for the time and pain he caused the staff of the Kona Historical Society and Uchida farms. The fine should be steep as now they will have to start all over to get another donkey to become friends with Charlie first and slowly get them used to one another.
My colleague who works ay the farm said she heard a shot when she was feeding a stay cat there and called the police. Apparently, there are still irresponsible people out there who are still shooting at turkeys and chickens without any concern for who they might unjure.
The police need to make some arrests and fine folks for reckless shooting or it will never stop.
Let’s hope the authorities will finally take some positive action and fine the culprits.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona resident
