Mother’s plea

To the editor:

This letter is regarding the importance of stop signs and stop signals. I hope that it helps just one family or young person.

During my years in Lawrence, I have witnessed many vehicles run stop signs or signals, at least one of which resulted in an accident. Signs and signals are in place for motorist safety and should never be ignored. The “I can make it” and “they’ll wait for me” attitude seems to be the norm in this day and age. But I can tell you from experience that these attitudes kill.

I am a grieving mother whose son rarely, if ever, slowed down at a stop sign crossing a highway from a dirt road on his way home from work. We buried him Jan. 27 after he was broadsided by a semitruck. He left behind two daughters so young they’ll never even remember their father or how much he loved them. He also left behind a family devastated by his loss.

The pain of childbirth is hard but is nothing compared with the agony of the death of that child in an accident that could have been avoided. What is the harm in just a few seconds at a stop sign or even a minute or two at a light if you’re already late when it could mean your life or that of another driver?

Think about this please!

Leasa Schauer,

Lawrence