Legislation to save lives extends past the unborn

Regardless of how you feel individually about the abortion legislation being passed, or yet to be passed by the Iowa Legislature, the bottom line is that it is all about saving lives. So, I look forward to the next legislative session where lawmakers should be expanding the right to life movement by passing more measures to save all lives, not just unborn lives, such as:

• Require motorcycle helmets. Iowa is only one of three states that does not have a motorcycle helmet law (iowainjured.com). Everyone knows that wearing a motorcycle helmet saves lives.

• Allow unfettered installation of speed and red light cameras. Deaths caused by motorists running red lights have risen to a 10-year high according to the study of government data by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. More red light and speed cameras would save lives.

• Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatal injuries on U.S. farms (nasdonline.org). Pass legislation to require tractor rollover bars on all open seat tractors, regardless of age, to save a life.

• Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause a car accident than drunken driving (thezebra.com). Six times! It would not be unreasonable to pass popular Texas style legislation to allow individuals to sue drivers $10,000 who are texting and driving, all to save a life and Back the Blue.

Let’s get to work in Iowa and pass meaningful legislation to save lives, born and unborn.

Jeffrey Schaefer

Cedar Rapids

Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com