Recent speed limit increases on the Maine Turnpike and Interstate 295 make me shudder – more so when reading the details of the rear-end accident on the pike in Farmingdale (“Fire sets off bullets in car after crash on I-95 in Maine,” Aug. 7).

The car struck a stopped tractor-trailer, then caught fire with ammunition exploding from inside the car. Driver distraction, or going too fast? Not enough warning signs?

Increased speed on such highways will bring more chances for catastrophic accidents with decreased reaction times, especially in winter months. Maine has a growing number of seniors driving, with slower reflexes, which will be disastrous in faster traffic. And, like it or not, our under-20 drivers are immortal, but with texting and cellphones …

In May 2001, a relative survived a multi-vehicle rear-end collision on Interstate 495 in Massachusetts, during a night paving job, reducing three lanes to one.

Returning to Maine from a family cookout, he was taken by helicopter to UMass-Worcester’s trauma center after his shoulder belt lacerated his left carotid artery. He was hit by a local driver at 65 mph. Repairs took five nights.

Massachusetts State Police told me there were no signs the local driver applied his brakes. If that accident would have been today here in Maine, we would have had a funeral.

Dennis Marrotte

Westbrook


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