In reply to Rod Barnes’ letter in your July 31 edition I have a few comments to add to his remarks.
In addition to using common sense when driving in inclement weather one should also drive in accordance with the Washington State driver’s code. The Washington Driver Guide states when headlights are to be used. In addition to night time usage, lights are to be used in the daytime if it is rainy, snowy or foggy. Driving with parking lights is a no-no. Just like the name implies, “parking lights” are for parked vehicles, not vehicles in motion. Headlights on serve two purposes: (1) Helping the driver see where he/she is going and (2), helping other drivers/pedestrians see where you are.
I find it hard to understand why so many drivers violate the simple rules of the road as cited in the Washington Driver’s Guide. These are the rules that are on the driver’s test, so if you were issued a Washington State driver’s license you must have at one time known what was required by state law. Do you have a short memory and forgot what is required of vehicle drivers, or do you feel that those vehicle operation codes do not apply to you?
I could be wrong but I believe the guidelines published for vehicle operation within the state of Washington applies to everyone, even if you have a license issued in Canada, California, Texas or any other licensing facility.
So please know and follow the Washington State driver’s codes. I would hate to have my vehicle damaged because someone failed to follow the rules. I would also hate to have to suffer bodily damage to myself because someone did not know the rules, or was operating with the idea that these rules did not apply to them.
If you want to kill someone in a vehicle accident be sure it is just yourself.
Robert D. Brown
Oak Harbor