Dangerous drivers make Cedar Rapids dangerous

Some events in life change the rest of your life. That's what happened to me when I went on a long walk and I was the third person on the scene to a horrific accident involving a man walking his dog in front of Cottage Grove, on First Avenue in Cedar Rapids. The man was obeying the crosswalk signs and yet he got hit and eventually died. Although his dog mercifully did live.

This man, Gary "Hap" Happel, was a wonderful man. He was a devoted husband, a father, and a loving grandfather. It was an accident, unintentional, but carelessness from a distracted driver. At the time I thought it was just an isolated situation. But as I began to talk to people I got a different viewpoint. Many people born and raised here, who are now old, do not feel safe driving or walking in Cedar Rapids. Particularly on First Avenue, Edgewood Road, Blairsferry, and Collins Road. Why do they feel unsafe? Distracted drivers, speeding with impunity throughout the city. The 70-year-old generation of drivers feel intimidated driving through town. Even those walking their dogs according to the crosswalk signs don't feel safe and, and in Gary Happel's case, aren't safe walking at all.

How do we stop this spirit of lawlessness with drivers in Cedar Rapids? They drive distracted, speeding, tailgating, making dangerous moves with their vehicles. Does anyone have any ideas how to stop this? Because I'm all ears. Please let me know.

Edward Lowry

Cedar Rapids