Two people left their homes in the morning on Friday, Sept. 24 – one on Highway 20 and one on Highway 29 – and before noon their lives were extinguished by a drunken driver and a despicable hit-and-run driver, the latter going through a permanent standing stop sign, hit the victim and left the scene, leaving the victim on the highway. These crashes caused untold sorrow and devastation for the families and friends of both victims.

There have been way too many traffic accidents on these two highways in particular, many of them by drivers crossing into oncoming traffic. Many lives have been affected by these careless – as in care-less – drivers. I seldom go to Clearlake and would rather go to Ukiah via Highway 175 and Hopland than to risk my life on Highways 20 and 29.

Some type of major deterrent needs to be put in place, something that would make these care-less drivers know it wouldn't be worth getting behind the wheel and what it would cost them for carelessness that could cause an accident.

A few suggestions are mandatory jail sentences and longer ones, and stiff fines for any accidents causing injuries, liability for damages to others properties and definite prison terms for causing fatalities.

A final note: People who kill others should have no rights. Where were the victims' rights?

Patricia England lives in Lakeport, Calif.