Driving is a privilege, not a right

Simply put, we do not have a right to drive. Under a few conditions,
we are given permission to use motor vehicles on public roads, but
those conditions include a whole lot of laws and restrictions.
Unfortunately, the public is incapable of complete self-control when
it comes to driving, so the US government has made many laws over the
years in order to improve the safety of driver, bikers, and
pedestrians. What many people don’t think about, is that we are
lucky to be able to drive at all, and we shouldn’t take that
ability for granted. Texting while driving, rolling through stop
signs, and breaking speed laws are all examples of the ignorance and
obstruction of the very laws set to improve our own safety. In my
opinion, people should have the choice of following these rules and
driving, or not driving. Today, people break these laws constantly
and not once, in my entire life, have I seen a driver’s license
taken away for it. One of my close friends was in an accident about
10ft away from my high school’s parking lot. Someone decided that
their texting conversation was more important than the red Honda
Civic in the way of his illegal U-turn. The driver, unaware of his
surroundings, turned straight into the side of my friend’s car.
Thankfully, she was unharmed, but the extent of the consequences was
a bill to their insurance company, and a warning. That driver is
still able to drive around every day, and there is nothing stopping
him from making the same mistake again. Only the next time his
ignorance causes an accident, there’s no guarantee that both
drivers will walk away from it. Preventative laws only apply to those
who are responsible enough to follow them. And apparently, in this
day and age, Punitive laws don’t even have an effect people who
break the law. What kind of a world do we want to live in? I would
prefer that the privilege of driving stay conditional, that the
people who don’t care enough to ensure others’ safety have that
privilege revoked, and that the law actually be enforced to the
fullest extent. We all have a role to play in improving the
automotive world. These laws wouldn’t be necessary if people drove
safely and responsibly. So the next time you think about answering
that text from a friend, opening up your engine, or flying through
that stop sign, I suggest you reconsider.