Letters to the Editor

Letter: License to kill

In yet another effort to avoid scrutiny for his incompetence regarding his actual gubernatorial responsibilities, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has offered his latest distraction: in the name of increasing our freedom, a proposal to allow ATVs, snowmachines and who-knows-what on state roads with speed limits 45 mph or slower.

A few winters ago I was driving on a major city surface road in Fairbanks, four lanes plus turn lanes, during what passes as “rush hour” here, moving a few car lengths at a time. On my right were two youths, one on a snowmachine, the other on a 4-wheeler, just waiting, intermittently revving their engines, to dash across when there was no way they could have seen clearly both ways. As I crept along and past them, I thought of the accident just waiting to happen. There are way more than enough of these accidents that do happen here in Alaska, every year.

Now, the debate is about whether licenses and insurance will be required. That too is a complete distraction. Legislators, please don’t give Dunleavy this license to kill.

— Martin Becker

Fairbanks

Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.

ADVERTISEMENT