As I write this (on Aug. 26), the Mercer Island Police and Fire Departments are cleaning up after a head-on car collision in front of my house on West Mercer Way. No one was hurt and that is a miracle. The young driver who caused the accident was headed north in the southbound lane when he came around the curve and hit a young mother head-on in her lane. Moments earlier, we heard another car nearly lose control on the next curve, clearly going much too fast. This is common behavior at night. Often it is two or more cars or motorcycles in a chase, as if West and East Mercer Ways were their own private tactical driving course.

Outlandishly dangerous driving practices are not limited to night time. I have seen drivers slowing for cyclists and impatient drivers behind pass with on coming traffic. Cars have missed this same curve more than once and veered across the road, nearly hitting my neighbor’s house. It is truly crazy. I shudder to think if a child were walking on the shoulder, as mine often does, when one of these mishaps occurs.

Please, City Council, something needs to be done to modify this behavior. Enforcement, traffic calming, shutting down the road — whatever it takes. And drivers, please make more thoughtful decisions when you are behind the wheel. I’m afraid the next time we may not be so lucky to come away without an injury or worse.

Lucia Pirzio-Birol