Don’t waste time on useless surveys

Re: “Province seeks to measure support for Malahat speed cameras,” Feb. 16.

When I read that headline, my immediate reaction was: Why?

Isn’t the minister of public safety supposed to uphold and enforce the laws concerning public safety?

There is nothing wrong with the Malahat if everyone obeys the posted speed limits. To his discredit, former premier Gordon Campbell dropped photo radar because it was “unpopular,” and we have seen mounting disregard for speed limits ever since.

To the minister of public safety: This is not a popularity contest. If you must ask for opinions, ask the relatives and friends of those whose lives have been shattered because some idiot just didn’t feel like obeying the rules.

The statistics from other countries should be enough to convince us that cameras and enforcement can save lives, so please, in the name of all who have been maimed or killed, get on with it. Driving today is hazardous enough, so let’s not waste any more time on useless surveys. Drivers are supposed to be responsible people, and if they are not, they shouldn’t be on the road.

Irresponsible drivers will probably hate you, but a great number of people will thank you for making the roads just a little bit safer.

Frank Smith Nanaimo