To the editor:

“As we approached the intersection of 19th and Iowa, there was a stalled car in the right lane and the three cars in front of us were required to slam on their brakes in order to avoid hitting it. Just like the cars preceding us, we hit our brakes and, with the sound of squealing tires, barely made it to a stop when both of us looked to the rear and knew there was no way we could avoid being hit by the cars behind us.” (“Life-saving move,” Public Forum, June 7)

Was this a “life-saving move” or simply too many people following too closely for conditions and speed? I tend to think the latter — though I do applaud the lady in the maroon car, that is, provided she actually checked to see if the area was clear of pedestrians.

John Hamm,

Lawrence