Drivers, Especially The Errant, Should Be Subject To Review

For many teenagers, taking that driver’s license examination is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Literally.

That should change, says Bob Fisher of Spokane.

“It doesn’t make sense to me that we have people take driver education once, take an exam once and give them a license for life, as long as they pay the fee every few years,” said Fisher about an accident in which a motorist struck and killed a bicyclist last June near Cheney and was issued a $250 ticket for second-degree negligent driving.

Many cyclists, including Fisher and other friends of 13-year-old victim Cooper Jones, believe criminal charges should have been filed against Glenna Ward, 65, the driver. The Washington State Patrol concluded that conditions required by law to support a stiffer charge did not exist.

“The $250 ticket isn’t the whole issue. It’s allowing someone to get behind the wheel of a car again after that person has demonstrated an inability to safely operate a vehicle,” said Fisher. “No time out to evaluate the negligence, no retraining or review of vehicle safety. Just pay the fine and drive home.”

Fisher was responding to Tuesday’s Bagpipes column, which asked whether the level of guilt should depend on the specific conduct or on its consequences.

“The roads would be much safer if drivers were required to demonstrate competency to safely operate their vehicles on a regular, scheduled interval,” he said. He noted that Cooper was struck from behind when visibility was clear and traffic light. “That should be enough to keep that driver off the roadway, not just pay a fine,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anita Raddatz of Spokane recently had a conversation with a friend about the June accident and a hit-and-run case in which a cyclist was killed on Sunset Hill last month.

“We both drive the Sunset Hill and the Cheney-Spokane Road and the ‘normal’ sight is bicyclists not properly clothed, not riding in the bike lane area, and, if more than one, riding side by side instead of in line,” Raddatz said.

“As for fining the driver for the Cheney event - charging money for life - the family will be requesting money for that same life if and when they decide to sue. Court case after court case has established that life has a monetary value.”

Bagpipes received several thoughtful comments about this incident. More will appear Tuesday.

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