Nothing can take away the pain and grief of a family who has lost a loved one in a tragic traffic accident. Their lives are changed forever. Imagine the despair and shock when you realize that the other driver involved should not be driving at all.

Such is the case of Tina Turcotte’s family and many others, who wonder “How can this have happened?”

Why was someone like Scott Hewitt, with 44 convictions, involvement with another fatal accident and a suspended license driving a fully loaded tractor trailer on a busy Maine highway in July?

The statistics alone are staggering. According to the Secretary of State’s statistics, 7 percent of Maine’s drivers have had their licenses suspended five or more times … that’s over 67,000 drivers that have been identified as a dangerous driver on our roadways.

Drivers without a valid license are involved in more than 20 percent of fatal accidents. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.

A task force is being formed to investigate the July 29th accident. This is an important step. But action today is essential. First, the state must implement the laws that are already on the books. Speed limits need to be enforced.

How many of us driving on the Interstate every day between 65-68 mph watch cars and trucks speed by us as if we are standing still? Second, increase periodic checks at the weigh stations along the highways. This is an opportunity to screen truckers for valid license and other offenses. Sentence and fine offenders to the maximum levels possible.

The state can and should do more. Several ideas will be considered in the upcoming Legislative session:

1. Improve communication between states regarding offenders

2. Encourage reporting and listing of “dangerous drivers”

3. Increase bail levels and jail sentences

4. Impound violator’s vehicles

5. Consider revoking licenses permanently

Of course, none of these things can assuage the sorrow of a grieving family. But it gives all of us an opportunity to work together to prevent it from happening again. Our work begins today.

What suggestions do you have to make our highways safer? E-mail Representative Curley at djcurley@maine.rr.com or 883-6278.

Darlene Curley is a Republican state representative for Scarborough