Rude cabdrivers need etiquette training

In reference to assisting cabdrivers by raising fees by 20%, I'd like to offer a constructive suggestion: How about using that money to conduct seminars on professionalism, particularly for cabdrivers stationed at O'Hare Airport?

My last three cab rides from O'Hare were as follows:

One driver engaged in a very loud conversation with someone on his cellphone while driving. When I tried getting his attention to provide further directions, the driver snapped at me: "What? What? I am on the phone!"

Another driver, after I told him that my ride was only a "short one" from the airport to a nearby suburb, dropped the F bomb at me and then rushed to complain to the city employee who was directing visitors to other cabs.

My last driver had an open bag of peanuts on his lap and ate them while talking on his cellphone. He also went over the speed limit and bumped his wheels into wall protectors (twice) as he jumped into a shoulder lane.

Cabdrivers are probably the first "official greeters" of out-of-town visitors to Chicago. They are our ambassadors.

The behaviors of the three drivers mentioned above were disgraceful. They set a horrid example of hospitality.

Although I finally got fed up and filed an actual complaint against the last gentleman (the peanut man), I have no idea if there was any follow-through. For all I know, he is still allowed to pick up passengers at O'Hare.

Charity, they say, starts at home. So does professionalism. The city and its drivers need to get their act together.

Bill Dal Cerro, Edison Park

These proposed laws would reduce fatal car wrecks

While traffic deaths are declining nationwide, Illinois is falling behind. We are one of only 10 states that did not see a decrease last year, and fatalities remain more than 15% higher than in 2019.

These deaths are predictable and preventable, driven largely by reckless behavior such as excessive speeding and impaired driving. Two key pieces of pending legislation, House Bill 4333 and House Bill 4948, would help get Illinois back on track.

House Bill 4333 would address impaired driving by lowering the state’s alcohol concentration threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Research shows impairment begins well before 0.08, and crash risk rises as blood‑alcohol concentration increases. A 0.05 standard would set clearer expectations for drivers, saving lives and preventing millions of dollars in economic losses each year.

House Bill 4948 would create an Intelligent Speed Assistance Program focused on the small number of high‑risk drivers whose repeated or excessive speeding endangers everyone. The technology limits a vehicle’s speed to stop this dangerous behavior before it causes a tragedy. The program creates an alternative to license suspension for this small population of high-risk drivers.

These bills target two leading causes of deadly crashes and would help our state go from a lagging outlier to a leader in preventing roadway deaths. We urge the public to ask their legislators to advance these bills.

Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs, AAA – The Auto Club Group

Erin Doherty, regional executive director, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Amy Cohen, founder and president, Families for Safe Streets

Gun safety

Firmly believing the Second Amendment is unambiguous and provides U.S. citizens the right to bear arms, I also agree with Kathleen Sances' recent op-ed in the Sun-Times and believe common sense dictates that some arms are inherently dangerous, and the law should not permit their ownership by civilians.

Handguns that can be converted into an automatic weapon by the flip of a “switch” can certainly provide personal protection. Still, they also ring up greater body counts. The volume of bullets that can rapidly be discharged by these guns increases the chances of innocents being shot and killed.

Even those who strongly oppose gun control should support the ban on the sale of weapons that can be converted into machine guns. The Second Amendment can be enforced without throwing common sense out the window.

Terry Takash, Western Springs

Trump runs country like cartel

In this one man’s opinion, I believe our government has been taken over by the "Donald Cartel." Care for U. S. citizens and other countries has become nonexistent. The cartel hides behind all of his own misgivings by using every diversion and lie to cover his own rear end.

Approximately a third of this country is either brainwashed, prejudiced or just stupid. Which is it? You cannot honestly believe all that falls out of his mouth. How long will this go on? Congress has the power to get rid of him. Problem: Get rid of the head of the cartel, and the lieutenant steps in.

Is there no end to kissing Trump's rear end? Show some guts. What we're seeing is not my idea of patriotism. I’m afraid to put my flag out because somebody will think I approve.

Tom Konz, U.S. veteran, Portage Park

Brass knuckles or knucklehead?

Donald Trump is making death threats, thumping his chest and rattling his saber over his Iran war and his impotent ability to keep that country from developing nuclear weapons. Does anyone remember this same “very stable genius” tore up the international treaty with Iran, negotiated by the Obama administration, that prevented Iran from developing such weapons and subjected them to international inspections? As David Hare said, “No one but a fool is always right."

Jim Pomis, Crystal Lake

Selective outrage

Two members of Congress resign after being accused of sexual attacks. One presidential candidate is elected after being found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case.

Richard Barsanti, Western Springs