Marijuana legalization could lead to more impaired driving | Letters

The Oct. 6 front-page article about the legalization of marijuana and the effect its passage would have on impaired driving stuck a familiar chord. In November, as I waited at a red light, my car was struck hard by a SUV driven by a teenager who promptly opened all the windows in his vehicle. The investigating Ohio State Patrol officer observed the "airing out" and commented on what he called the "overpowering smell of marijuana." The driver was cited for the accident, but there was no reference to his obvious impairment in the official report.

Later, State Farm Insurance increased the renewal premiums on my family's cars due to this accident for which I was not at fault. When I appealed, I was told it was because I had been involved, though not the cause of the accident, and the added cost would extend for three years.

Clearly, impaired driving has costly consequences − even for those innocently waiting for a traffic light to change.

Sue Porter, Terrace Park

Downtown YMCA employees inspire, make community better

We’ve been regulars at the YMCA (Central Parkway/OTR) for decades. Athletes and public officials get a lot of press, and there’s no shortage of bad news. But we’ve rarely seen workers as good at their jobs and as warm and responsible as Jerry, John and others who work at our downtown Y.

They inspire us and make our community better.

Kent and Robby Wellington, Downtown

Military veterans deserve a month of recognition

It seems every month of the year is named for a group or cause. Why not have a "Veterans Month?" Without veterans there would be nothing or special months to celebrate.

Ed Murphy, Delhi Township

America desperately needs leadership with a spine

To those Republicans who are appalled at the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, I'd ask what did he do other than roll over for the Democratic minority as Paul Ryan and John Boehner did before him, and as Ronna McDaniel, head of the Republican National Committee, has been doing since she took over that post?

The country desperately needs leadership with a spine, leadership that will confront the major issues and not look the other way. The simple question to answer is: Do you recognize your country anymore?

Reese Miller, Anderson Township

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Marijuana legalization could lead to more impaired driving