Re: “Mounties tried to get Kelowna driver to stop; text message was more ­important,” July 25.

Preoccupied by reading a text, the 27-year-old driver didn’t see the “giant, illuminated, ‘slow down, police ahead’ signs” or the RCMP officer “wearing a neon-green vest and holding a stop sign” who had to leap out of the way.

The distracted driver was issued fines totalling $708.

I was almost hit in an Oak Bay Village crosswalk about 1 p.m. one day last week.

I’d checked for traffic before ­starting to cross to the south side. I’d noted a slow-moving car heading east toward the crosswalk.

As I started across, I also noted a woman on the other side waiting to cross to the north.

Then the slow-moving car passed through the crosswalk, missing me by 12 to 24 inches.

The driver, who had not braked at all, had apparently been more engaged in conversation with a passenger than in watching the road.

I think the driver saw me out of the corner of his or her eye as I raised my left arm in surprise.

Yes, I should have been more cautious.

I should not have assumed that the driver was paying attention and had seen me.

Three points: It only takes an instant for things to go wrong. Being mentally oblivious can easily lead to physical oblivion. Both ­drivers and pedestrians need to give their full attention to what’s going on in their immediate vicinity.

Patrick Wolfe

Victoria

Re: “P.E.I. premier says Carney assured him he’s working to reduce bridge, ferry tolls,” July 24.

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz says that bridge and ferry tolls are “unfair, and hurt ­families, businesses, and his entire ­province,” and goes on to say that such tolls are seen as a significant trade ­barrier, increasing everyday costs.

Why hasn’t Premier David Eby thought of those arguments? I’m pretty sure they apply to B.C. as much as to Prince Edward Island. Perhaps Stephanie McLean and/or Will Greaves could help.

Ian Cameron

Brentwood Bay

Re: “Save Our Saanich isn’t saving money,” commentary, July 25.

This commentary underscores that many Saanich residents did not understand why Saanich chose to borrow $150 million via an alternate approval process.

The initial scope to “upgrade the public works yard” and keep the GWDO (garden waste drop-off) was estimated at $30 million and could be financed entirely by........

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