It is my policy not to engage in verbal wars with my Ink Free “fans.” However, I just could not pass up an opportunity to respond to one sarcastic writer (or maybe it was two) who wondered if perhaps I ought to address the dangers of those other lethal weapons of destruction – automobiles. After thinking about the positive results of legislation enacted to protect us all from our own stubbornness/carelessness/negligence, I came up with a list of mandatory laws regarding these instruments of death, to-wit:
— You must have a valid driver’s license to operate most vehicles.
— You must be at least 16 in most states to get that license (and some restrictions may even apply until another age threshold is reached).
— Said license must list any physical impairments (restrictions). Thus, a need for at least an eye exam.
— You must take and pass a written test to obtain said license (Also, an in-person driving test in many cases).
— You must pay to register and obtain a license plate (in some states 2) for that vehicle … and affix that plate(s) to the car.
— Said plate must be renewed and paid for every year … and a sticker displayed to prove said renewal.
— You must provide proof of insurance before being granted a license plate.
— You must wear a seatbelt.
— Children must be restrained in approved car seats or booster seats.
— You must have and display handicapped placards if you park in designated spaces.
— You may not park in any “No Parking” zone.
— You must obey sound limitations (i.e. no too- loud mufflers).
— You must not tint front windshields.
— You must obey darkness limitations on all other tinted windows.
— You must obey speed limits, traffic signs and lights, road signs and lane usage markings.
— All lights must be in working condition and free from any obstruction.
— You must signal before turning or changing lanes.
— You are encouraged to remain at least a car length for every 10 mph of speed behind motorists ahead of you.
— You can be cited if spotted with a cell phone or suspicious open container in hand.
— And, yes, some municipalities already require breathalyzers to be installed in vehicles of offenders of drunk driving laws.
You can be cited, fined, even jailed for violating many of these laws. You can even lose the right to drive any vehicle if your violation is or has been harmful to others …. even yourself. Yes, people still die in traffic accidents – too many people. Since 2016, nearly 40,000 Americans died from gun violence each year, as opposed to 39,000 each year from car accidents – despite the fact that in 2017 there were 221.7 million licensed drivers and only 72 million registered gun owners. Numbers don’t lie. Neither do effective laws. Rather sad that only through strong legislation can we be entrusted to take care of ourselves.
