I read with sadness your report (BDN, Aug. 27) on the death of a man involving an all-terrain vehicle in Washington County because of dust and confusion. It reminded me of a disturbing incident that occurred to me on Friday, two days before, in the same county.

I was traveling west on Route 9 that afternoon, approaching Highway 193. There were four ATVs traveling eastbound, against traffic, on the westbound dirt shoulder. They were generating a tremendous amount of dust that was blown across the highway. Trucks and cars coming eastbound were forced to turn on their headlights and slow to a crawl because of the dust generated by these people.

I was appalled by the callous disregard for safety on the part of these ATV drivers. I almost stopped to tell them of the danger they presented, but I feared I might cause a traffic accident had I done so. The fatality reported in your article was a painful reminder of what could have happened had I done so. Please remind those who drive such machines to be aware of the danger they sometimes inadvertently present to others on the highway.

John Vogt, M.D.

Falmouth