Tragedy Shows Need for Better Safety Regulations

The Times editorial “Saving Lives at Sensible Prices” (Sept. 22) was well-meaning with respect to what people should do. That is: Private citizens’ protecting their passengers. Very likely new residents of California know nothing of state-mandated seat-belt laws on privately owned vehicles, which, when enacted, was intrusive into our private lives.

It seems to me The Times’ views, beginning on Page 1, placed considerable blame for the death on the backs of the victims--or owners of the van. Certainly there is fault in the condition of the van, but we’re talking about manslaughter here.

The editorial neglected to come squarely down on the perpetrator of the slaughter--the criminal who ran the red light . . . and fled the scene of the crime. These poor victims cannot share the blame for the negligence of others.

The Times sadly missed the really big story. None of our public transportation buses are equipped with seat belts, i.e., airport buses from Disneyland or Knott’s have no protection for passengers. If a serious, or not-so-serious, accident occurs at speeds of 55 to 65 m.p.h., scores will be killed and injured. The inside of those buses have sharp metal fittings that are just waiting for a passing airborne passenger.

Isn’t it tragically interesting in our democracy, where state-mandated law forces private citizens to “buckle up” or be arrested, the state apparently is willing to ignore compliance by public/private transportation vehicles, where paying passengers take their lives in their hands each time they board.

Readers would welcome an in-depth investigation into the state regulatory transportation system to reveal the source of the double standard.

STAN CUTTER, La Habra