Letters: Grim lessons from Newport Beach

Re “Shock and questions,” May 29

As we grieve for the victims of the Memorial Day car wreck that killed five teenagers, one must not lose sight of why this happened.

Evidently, a reckless teenager was speeding and lost control of his vehicle, killing himself and four companions in the process. Had he survived through some miracle, the proper move would have been to try him at least for manslaughter.

It’s no secret that a speeding car can be a lethal weapon. The only good that can come of this tragedy is to find a way to convince all drivers, young and old, of this simple fact.

Richard McCurdy

Burbank

No amount of driver education is going to prevent these gruesome teenage car fatalities.

According to a study last year by AAA, for 16- and 17-year-old drivers, having one passenger under the age of 21 and no older adult increases the chance of a fatal accident by 44%. The chance for a fatal accident doubles with two additional under-21 passengers; it quadruples when carrying three or more.

Parents should know that California law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from transporting passengers under 20 years old in their car for the first 12 months they have a license.

Dennis Arntz

Laguna Niguel

It is certainly a tragedy that five teens were killed along Jamboree Road in Newport Beach. My condolences to the family members and friends.

As a cyclist, I ride that route every weekend morning and have personally witnessed many vehicles grossly exceeding the speed limit. The thoroughfare’s generous width and gentle curves seem to be irresistible to the amateur racers.

What I have never seen is law enforcement doing anything about it. If you have an expensive sports car, it seems you can do what you want in Newport Beach.

It is just a matter of time before another senseless tragedy happens.

Daniel Cohen

Huntington Beach

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