From: Don Kitchen (dkitchen@pobox.mtaonline.net)
Date: Tue Sep 10 2002 - 09:20:05 PDT
All states would look similar because virtually all states take federal
highway money to pay for the public roads. The Feds have put strings on
getting that highway money, which is why every state law appears similar.
The best and latest example is the reduction in DWI breath alcohol limits
from .10 to .08: that was forced on the states by the Feds with the threat
of withholding highway money if the states did not get on board. And before
anyone flames me on this, let me state for the record that I support the .08
limit!
Someone early on in this thread said it clearly, and it bears repeating: the
government is not infringing on a right/privilege to drive. Someone without
a license may still be permitted to operate a motor vehicle on their own
property (I say "may" because I believe that someone with a
suspended/revoked/cancelled license may not drive anywhere, but that
situation is a bit different from someone without a license). We, as a
people and as the government, have decided that when someone we don't know
operates a 4,000 destructive device around our loved ones, we want to know
that they have shown someone that they have the basic skills to safely
operate that device. We have also decided that if someone proves that they
cannot handle the responsibility of safe operation of that device, that
someone in the government takes them off the roads we share with them. Just
like every other "right", there are some restrictions that must attach or no
one will be able to exercise their rights without running afoul of another's
rights.
And just so the record is clear, I went to Temple U. but practice 4,000 west
of there now.
MV content: Gary Hebding has a web page going now that has message boards
for half-tracks and scout cars. One of the members there is attempting to
get all scout car owners to fes up and become part of a community of
owners - sounds like a good idea!
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