Arizona to its drivers: We’d rather you just break the law

Arizona Rep. Teresa Martinez espouses House Bill 2235, which would impose a $500 fine for driving at or below the speed limit in the left lane.

This proposed bill is similar to California’s “impeding traffic” law: “No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.”

Arizona has posted speed limits on all of its freeways and city streets. However, those upper speed limits are rarely enforced by Arizona state troopers or local city police. Why not?

This proposed bill is ludicrous because it makes slower drivers, who may be traveling at the posted legal speed limit, to move to the right, so those drivers who want to break the law may go faster. This smacks of a “damned if I do” and “damned if I don’t” mentality regarding compliance with the law.

It might be more prudent and profitable for troopers to pull over speeders rather than those obeying the speed limits in the left lane. It also might enhance public safety when the word gets around that speeders will be cited.

​​G. Scott Goins, Chandler

Speed limit drivers are a hazard

The left lane on most roadways has become the “slow lane.” Why this has happened is a bit of a mystery, but I have theories.

Why are some drivers intentionally staying at or below the posted limit? I believe much of this is due to auto insurance rate plans that monitor a vehicle’s speed with the understanding that traveling above the posted limit comes with a penalty, in the form of higher premiums.

I believe it’s actually safer for all vehicles on a roadway to be traveling at roughly the same speed, which is usually around 10 mph above the posted limit. So, one vehicle traveling 10 mph slower than everyone else not only stands out, but creates potential hazards as other drivers try to go around.

But why do the slower drivers so often seek out the “fast lane?”

My theory for this is the growing political trend of knowing what’s best for everyone else and trying to force them to comply.

Greg Groh, Peoria

Isaac’s school board must resign

It’s heartbreaking to see what is happening in Isaac Elementary School District. This shouldn’t have been a surprise.

As a former three-term member of their neighboring school district to the north, I was briefed regularly by district budget officials, spending my own time poring over Excel sheets and state audits so I could ensure that money was being spent wisely, with an eye toward protecting our precious community resources.

This mess tells me that this current Isaac board is not doing their job. It shows that they have failed their community, their staff, Arizona taxpayers, and worst — the children of their district.

More letters: Jail those who help the homeless? That’s just sick

The superintendent had the integrity, or at least enough sense, to resign. It’s time to lose the school board, too.

Every day they continue to serve means another day that their failure is protected, and Isaac students will be at risk.

Adam Lopez Falk, Phoenix

Our whole country is a ‘land grab’

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has the gall to call a new, designated national monument near the Grand Canyon an “unconstitutional land grab” when this whole country is nothing but land stolen from the Native people who already lived here?

All so that uranium can be mined there. Which will, of course, contaminate the land and water of the Havasupai people.

But I guess that because we are no longer allowed to teach the truth in our schools, Mr. Petersen must have missed that part of the lesson.

Elena Samfilippo, Scottsdale

Change how you see blindness

As a person living with blindness, I have encountered thousands of microaggressions over the years. Some left a lasting impression, fueling my passion to change the perception of blindness.

The first blow came on the day I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, when my retinal specialist said, “So, your dream job is to be in law enforcement — better find a new career.”

I dropped out of college and flailed for years, bouncing from job to job, struggling to find my place.

But over the last 20 years, I’ve also had the opportunity to develop a vast network, manage multiple business units, meet with elected officials and build a reputation as a bulldog. This is only possible because Arizona Industries for the Blind looked past the blindness, saw my leadership potential and provided the necessary tools for success.

For doctors, employers or anyone else who perpetuates the belief that people with disabilities are less capable of performing at the highest level, my 39,000 peers working in the AbilityOne Program and I are here to prove you wrong.

As we say around here, who really has lack of vision?

David Steinmetz, Phoenix

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona should ticket speeders, not give them a pass | Letters