'Teen crashes more prevalent in summer' and more letters to the editors

Teen crashes more prevalent in summer

Memorial Day marked the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of the year on our nation's roads for teen drivers. Traditionally, during the summer months, hundreds of teens are killed in car crashes and their families devastated. These deaths are unacceptable, especially because these crashes are preventable. I implore parents to remain vigilant, as they play a big role in the fight to end these tragic crashes.

School might be out, but teens still need to be off the roads by 10 p.m., when teen crash risks sharply increase. Although teens may spend more time with friends during the summer months, teens should not ride with or carry other teen passengers. Just one teen passenger increases a teen driver's crash risk by as much as 48 percent. Parents, please don't ever sacrifice safety for convenience. If your teen is out late or with friends, make other travel arrangements. The risk is not worth the potential consequence.

I lead the Tennessee Teen Safe Driving Coalition, which The Allstate Foundation and the National Safety Council established to raise awareness about why teen crashes occur and what we can do to prevent them. I encourage parents to get involved and become advocates for their teens' safety on our roadways. By doing so, I'm confident this summer can be the safest yet for our teen drivers.

SONYA MANFRED


Government needs to spend money wisely

One of our soldiers commits suicide every 24 hours due to post-traumatic stress disorder and depression waiting for psychological help, while others wait years to get disability benefits that they are entitled to. Money for the military is being cut while federal judges order states to spend tax dollars on sex-change operations.

Speak out against this injustice. Call the White House hotline at 202-456-1111; call your senator at 202-224-3121 or your congressman at 202-225-3121. Your voice does make a difference!

To find out more information about how to get involved in this and other topics, contact the Family Research Council at www.frc.org, or the American Family Association at www.afa.net. Ask to get on their email list.

One raindrop cannot do much but many can change the course of a river!

CONNIE LEONESSA, Hixson


Conservatives holding back negotiations

Scandal. What scandal? It was under former President George W. Bush that the Patriot Act was approved by both the House and Senate and became the law of the land. I didn't hear anybody who now is in the tea party crying foul during that time. In fact, I didn't hear any objections from any party.

Now that President Barack Obama is in office, the tea party and conservatives feel they have the goods to start talking about impeachment. How ridiculous can you be? I agree with the Chattanooga Times editorial that said "What they are really doing is fillibustering the American people and holding hostage any hope of negotiations on budget, sequester, immigration, safety - any form of real governing."

I think the voters will have the last word.

JAMES WALTON, Hixson

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