The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
Print Email
Text Size

Another Perspective

Turning Left on Red

How about more than just one type of driver's license?

(Page 2 of 2)

BUT THAT WOULD ONLY BE half of it. A high-skilled driver (just like a high-skilled martial artist) may use his higher skills irresponsibly. To counter that, the tiered system would contain provisions calling for immediate revocation of privileges for confirmed abuse (such as reckless driving) as well as a major review (with possible revocation) anytime the bearer is involved in an at-fault accident.

Penalties for operating a vehicle on the restricted high-speed lanes (or exercising "top" license privileges such as making a right on red) when not properly licensed would also have to be severe enough to make anyone think twice about abusing the system. Arrest on the spot. Vehicle impounded and (upon conviction of the owner) sold at auction. End of story.

Violations would likely be few and far between. And we'd enjoy freer-flowing roads, less henpecky and counterproductive laws -- and less misuse of police manpower, too. Everything would run a lot more smoothly.

But it will never happen -- for despite all the talk about America being a merit-based society, the reality is that on the roads, it's socialism -- from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. No one's allowed to rise above the level of the least common denominator.

At least, not without risking a piece of payin' paper!

Page:   12

topics:
Law, NATO, Socialism

About the Author

Eric Peters is an automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities: The Cars You Love to Hate (Motor Books International) and a new book, Road Hogs.

Letter to the Editor Leave a comment

Leave a Comment

N.B. We encourage readers to share and discuss their thoughtful and relevant comments about this Spectator article. Comments are routinely monitored and will be deleted if profane, bigoted, or grossly impolite. Please be respectful. (And don't feed the trolls!) Thank you.

Related Articles

More Articles by Eric Peters

More Articles From Another Perspective

http://spectator.org/archives/2007/12/13/turning-left-on-red
ADVERTISEMENT

Clip of the Day

Most Popular Articles

Who Castrated Ann Coulter?

David Catron | 2.6.12

The Delousing of a Movement

R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. | 2.9.12

Bigoted Barack, Red in Tooth and Clause

George Neumayr | 2.10.12

Justice Ginsburg Should Resign

William Tucker | 2.8.12

Coulter Care

Peter Ferrara | 2.8.12

Unsafe at Any Smoke

Eric Peters | 2.10.12

Middle-Aged Man Takes a Holiday

Christopher Orlet | 2.9.12

ADVERTISEMENT