aerostable_slug
4 days ago
> We found nearly 40% of the drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter since 2019 have a valid license.
> Even when the DMV does take away motorists’ driving privileges, state officials, law enforcement and the courts are often unable or unwilling to keep them off the road. We found cases where drivers racked up numerous tickets while driving on a suspended license and faced little more than fines before eventually causing a fatal crash, even though authorities could have sent them to jail.
It seems clear the main problem isn't people who retain their licenses, and further taking licenses away doesn't adequately deter dangerous drivers from getting behind the wheel.
Is the solution imprisoning those who are caught with invalid driving credentials? How would that jibe with the progressive goal of lowering incarceration, especially for (directly) nonviolent offenses such as driving on a suspended license? Or do we look to technology for a solution (this being HN after all)?
philipkglass
4 days ago
Could this be addressed by seizing and auctioning off vehicles driven by repeat offenders? I'm sure that some of these vehicles are loaned by relatives or friends of the offenders, and some of those vehicle lenders would get a terrible surprise when their vehicle is seized, but it's better than doubling down on prison or just letting dangerous drivers keep driving.
user
4 days ago
aaronbaugher
4 days ago
I recently served on a grand jury that saw several "Xth offense driving without a license" cases. It was clear that minor punishments were no deterrent at all. Seizing vehicles might help a little, but as you say, they'll borrow one or buy a cheap beater.
There's probably no way to really crack down on it without heavy penalties, but from what I hear, California isn't big on penalizing criminals these days. Can't say I love the idea of feeding and housing another whole class of criminal either. There may not be much of a solution.