Here’s what NC must do to end the dangerous highway racing I experienced on I-440

Speeding drivers

Regarding “Traffic death toll at highest level in 48 years, NCDOT says,” (Feb. 21):

I was returning from the coast Sunday afternoon on I-440 West approaching Old Wake Forest Road in moderately heavy traffic when two vehicles passed on each side — racing and weaving through slower traffic, using all the lanes. They were going well north of 100 mph. A few seconds later three more high-performance vehicles passed going over 90 mph, weaving through traffic — I assume all part of the same group.

Recently, a car crashed after being clocked at 133 mph on Interstate 40. Until we convince these people that aggressive driving and outright racing don’t belong on our highways, deaths will continue to rise. Sunday afternoons on I-440/540 seems to be the preferred race time. Can we not get increased patrols at that time?

Brad Bradshaw, Raleigh

Parents, schools

Imagine going to a restaurant and telling a professional chef what ingredients they can and can’t use and what must be on or off the menu. You would be laughed into the middle of next month. Yet, in our public schools we have untrained, sometimes uneducated, parents telling expert teachers how to do their jobs, sometimes accompanied by threats and insults to teachers and school boards. It’s all the more galling because the parents often know little or nothing about the topic at hand, such as public health or critical race theory. I sympathize with and respect the teachers and others who have to put up with this and yet persevere in educating the children.

Peter Aitken, Chapel Hill

UNC-CH response

The Feb. 21 Opinion piece by UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees chairman David Boliek was very self-serving. He only mentioned one objective criteria, the U.S. News & World Report annual ranking of public universities. He ignored recent gaffs by the Trustees, which includes the ham-handed treatment of Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who was to be the Knight Chair for Race and Investigative Journalism.

Boliek also said “All (trustees) are UNC-CH graduates.” I don’t think this is good. The board should contain some UNC graduates, but there should be members with other educational backgrounds. Boliek closed with: “You can’t be for something and against it at the same time.” By this statement, he seems to reject any honest criticism that he doesn’t agree with as disloyalty.

Robert G. Harrison, Durham

Divisive rhetoric

Regarding “‘The brand is so toxic’: Dems fear extinction in rural US,” (Feb. 20):

Naming Democrats “toxic” in rural areas places the onus for the problem on them. What about the “hatred for Democrats” and vandalism threats mentioned in the article? Don’t GOP voters have responsibility to tolerate differing views and engage in civil discussions about policy differences? Our democracy depends on the safe expression of ideas. Only one party and many of its voters support insurrection, overturning fair elections, intolerance to difference. That divisive rhetoric from the GOP threatens the fabric of our nation more than any “brand.”

Mindy Oshrain, Durham

Climate proposal

The $500 billion component of Build Back Better Act focused on increasing clean energy initiatives should be passed immediately. Petty partisanship needs to be put aside to protect our future. It is childish to reject spending that could reduce the strain on our environment just because one party proposed it. The New York Times surveyed the 50 Republicans in the Senate and not one said they’d support the climate provisions as a standalone bill. This is irresponsible and dangerous. These provisions are not some form of “a far-left agenda,” as Arkansas Sen. John Boozman claims. They are meant to protect the future of our planet. Stop the partisan politics, and pass these provisions.

Ryan Johnston, Chapel Hill

Quirky Holiday Inn

When we moved here in 1972 we stayed at The Corncob (aka Holiday Inn). I remember thinking someone in this city has a sense of humor to put up such an interesting building. I’ll miss its quirky silhouette. The more historically interesting buildings Raleigh allows to be destroyed, the less interesting it becomes.

Sissy Ashby, Raleigh

This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Here’s what NC must do to end the dangerous highway racing I experienced on I-440."