I have coached minor hockey and baseball in Vernon since the 1990’s and I have noticed lately, that it is extremely hard for young people to make a living around here. The economy is bad enough, but when our driving laws become an obstacle, I, for one, think this is unacceptable.
For example, recently, around mid-afternoon, a young man that I know and coached, along with two of his cousins, all under the age of 23, went out to Enderby to drop off their resumes to a business they heard might be hiring. They were not speeding, but simply had a “N” on their vehicle and there were three people in the car. They were pulled over by the RCMP and ticketed for having too many people in the vehicle. The young driver of the vehicle could lose his licence for this. I know there is an exception to this driving rule for family members, as long as they are siblings.
But, why not extend the exception to cousins, or for any young person going to work, or applying for work? I know some will say that this rule for young drivers means that they are safer on the roadways. But, I think the intent of this law was to curb late night young partiers from jumping into vehicles for a treacherous ride home. Who could not agree with that? But, my point is that, until we find an alternative, we are in an oil-based economy that is driven by the automobile, and young people need to be able to drive like adults, during work hours, in order to make a living. The dilemma that many young people find themselves in today, is that the fines are so harsh and expensive, new drivers find it difficult to afford a licence; and they definitely need a job in order to pay for it.
Many, find themselves in a “Catch 22” situation because a licence makes them more employable, but, some have to car pool to get to a job site. This means that if the young driver chooses to fit in with society and their peer group, and decides to give their friends, or workmates a ride, they face the gauntlet of the law.
To me, this forces young people to be penalized by an unjust law that unfairly targets young people and takes money out of our economy and puts it into the legislature. In this instance, there has to be a balance, such as allowing young people to drive within the law, like adults, during daylight hours, to wherever they need to be. Just like the rest of us. I see, however, many of the older drivers and their “know it all’ attitudes involved in more vehicle mishaps than the younger drivers; and I notice, many of the young drivers have taken driving lessons to make their insurance rates cheaper. How many of the older drivers have taken driving lessons? I have been driving since 1976 and I know many in my age group could not handle the severe penalties that these people have to endure, simply because they are young.
If nothing changes, the young people are going to have to start voting for themselves, or they can expect more of the same.
Dan A. Wilson, Vernon
