THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509010178
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Until we get tougher on limiting driving privileges and revoking them in response to habitual offenses, we are not going to improve the safety of the streets.
A driver's license should be considered a privilege, not a right that automatically accrues when one becomes 16. Until we start limiting that privilege to those willing to abide by the rules, then we will continue to have unsafe streets and highways. Drivers must be convinced that if they break the rules, they will be punished by the loss of their licenses, among other things.
They also must be convinced that it is to their advantage; i.e., not only will they be spared death and injury in a vehicle but also they will save insurance money.
Testing for licenses should be more complicated and require more thought. After all, driving today is much more complicated than it was when the tests were started. And most drivers would be much safer if they put a little more thought into their maneuvering. by CNB