Walking along the shore of the Columbia River last week, seeking some solitude, my ears were assaulted by the all-too-familiar sound of a driver spinning “doughnuts” is some adjacent parking lot.
After reading an article in The Columbian about the power of toxins in auto tires to kill fish in our rivers, I am reminded of the decline of regulatory laws regarding autos that used to serve the public good but now serve the auto industry and a few individuals.
Case(s) in point: Noise pollution — our roadways are now filled with the deafening sound of engines designed to exceed sensible decibel levels. Light pollution — “modern” headlights so bright they seriously endanger night drivers. Air/water pollution — tailpipe emissions and whatever other toxic particulate cars emit.
I look forward to the return of sensible regulations and/or the decline of the internal combustion engine.
