Letter-writer focuses on the wrong problem

April 08, 2006 12:39 am

— I’ve been riding motorcycles for more than 20 years now, for well over 300,000 miles. During those years, I’ve visited all 48 of the continental states and five Canadian provinces. I have truly experienced most of our great country from the seat of a motorcycle.
During that time, I have had one accident on my bike and it was caused by a drunk driver hitting me from behind — something that could have happened regardless of my means of transportation.
It troubles me when I read something like your article on outlawing motorcycles because they seem unsafe to some. Some are quick to point a finger and seek to ban something that they don’t understand or simply dislike.
The majority of accidents involving motorcycles are the fault of a car or truck. And those cars more than likely did something against the law to cause the accident.
So shouldn’t we address the real issue and have better auto drivers? Are we willing to outlaw the young and old drivers because they cause the majority of accidents? Are we willing to outlaw sports cars or set the speed limit at about 45 mph?
We have more people die from heart attacks or from the side effects of being grossly overweight each year than we do from motorcycles. Should we outlaw every fried chicken outlet in the state, or maybe every ice cream parlor?
Was our county not founded on the idea of freedom of choice? Are we going to destroy that idea by mandating or outlawing everything someone sees that they dislike?

Michael Sumrall
Mt. Olive