A March 7 story reported “House backs Pike’s ‘New Driver’ bill.” Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, has introduced a very dangerous House Bill 1159 into the state Legislature.
Placing a decal on a car announcing that there might be a teenage driver is really scary when anyone could target that driver for terrible reasons; i.e., bullying, robbery, insurance fraud, assault, and even encourage some of the members of our law enforcement to stop them without cause other than just being a teenager.
I have never been afraid of teenage drivers as they often follow the rules of the road better than many adults. I would rather see decals on cars where drivers have caused numerous accidents, have multiple speeding tickets, and numerous DUI tickets. Why pick on teenage drivers other than they are the easy targets with no voice in the Legislature? Why make them all wear “Scarlet T” (decals)? Oh yes, the multiple ticketed lawbreakers have attorneys and judges who allow them to keep driving.
Shame on Pike and every representative who voted for this ill-thought-out legislation.
Paquita Rupp
Vancouver
