Fix The Road

Look at this face. Remember this name: Jessica Haller. Jessica, an 18-year-old bundle of energy and joy, died March 13 in a head-on car accident on U.S. Highway 95 south of Sandpoint. The state Legislature recently defeated, once again, a proposal to fix parts of Highway 95. This year’s plan included widening the highway to four lanes from Coeur d’Alene to Sandpoint.

The best highway in the world might not have protected Jessica from the alleged drunken driver who caused the accident. Even if the highway was four lanes instead of two, the accident still might have occurred when the driver crossed the center line.

But we do know that better roads save lives. And we know this for certain: As the Legislature continues to ignore Highway 95, the death toll mounts. Maybe Jessica wouldn’t have died if legislators had lived up to their responsibility to all of Idaho’s Jessicas. Maybe the next Jessica doesn’t have to die. Remember that next January when the Legislature convenes again. Remind legislators of what they ought to do: fix the road.