To the editor:

The nation is justifiably disturbed by the loss of life among our brave young soldiers in Iraq. The number now exceeds 1,000.

On the other hand, it is amazing to me that we take the preventable loss of life due to alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents more or less in stride with little or no concern expressed by the populace. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year 2001 (the most recent for which there is accurate data), 13,674 people died from motor vehicle traffic injuries that were attributable to the effects of excessive alcohol consumption (blood alcohol levels of 0.10 g/dL or greater). It is estimated that at least 820 of those were under the age of 21. Give these figures some thought.

Dr. Phillip A. Godwin,

Lawrence