A recent letter published Feb. 18 blames lawyer advertising for high insurance rates. I’m no fan of the kind of advertising done by professionals and lawyers in particular. Whether they work in health care, with drug companies or lawyers, it’s a no-go for me, but suggesting auto rates are higher because of it is a false premise. If it were true, every state in the country would experience the increases. The blame rests with poor highways and streets, lack of education and regulatory permissiveness. Lawyer ads are everywhere in every state, even in states with low insurance rates.

FRED L. HERMAN