This is in response to Bruce Wotton’s letter (Feb. 9) about testing elderly drivers.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 43,443 people were killed on U.S. highways in 2005, up 1.4 percent from 2004. Overall, alcohol-related deaths increased 1.7 percent, to 16,972.

Passenger car deaths dropped slightly in 2005, while light truck fatalities (minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickups) rose 4.3 percent. Fifty-five percent of occupants killed weren’t wearing seat belts.

I could not obtain a breakdown in age increments. However, in talking to a Lewiston police officer, I was told more accidents are caused by inattentive drivers using cell phones.

What punishment should judges give a driver convicted of driving while impaired (the highest percentage of deaths) that caused the death of a loved one? One year in prison? Five years? Life?

What punishment for a DWI citation without incident? License revoked? Time in prison? Second offense – same questions.

Try driving at posted speeds, or no more than 5 mph above, and see how many frustrated drivers pile up behind.

I am past 75, and do not have a cellular phone or mp3 player in my ear, or the car radio sounding like thunder. I am a common-sense driver who would welcome testing, if anyone can prove to me the elderly are the problems on the highway.

I am appalled how some national media focus entirely on war statistics, and not the 40,000-plus casualties on our highways.

Alvin J. Barrett, Turner