Enforcing Recent School Bus Law

* Re “School Bus Law Doesn’t Stop ‘Em All,” Jan. 30:

My concern is with the mentality displayed by our government officials and general population.

Upon reading the remarks of Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Martin (D-Duncans Mills), I was completely appalled at the lack of understanding of how important this law is and the lack of commitment to make it a part of our environment.

We should not simply abandon this law because the public is not learning it, following it or aware of it. If that is the approach to solving problems in America now, well, then let’s legalize drugs, eliminate gun control and give up on every program that doesn’t work.

I feel it a civic duty to remind Strom-Martin why this law is good and how she must now be the leader she was elected to be and make its implementation successful. She is no different than the chief executive officer of a company in her elected position.

This law has nothing to do with children living on the same side of the block as the bus stop. It has everything to do with protecting both the children and drivers from the naivete of youth.

If drivers are inconvenienced for five minutes to eliminate the risk of injury to our youths, then this is five minutes well spent. Most every other state has this law, and it is a good one.

I grew up on the East Coast, and this was one of the laws that we had to know in order to pass our driver’s license test. We should keep it and make it work. Let’s not take the easy way out of a tough situation and abandon it.

ROBERT L. GELB

Irvine