Unlicensed California drivers may cause more fatal car accidents
According to a California Department of Motor Vehicles report, unlicensed drivers are more likely to cause car accidents and serious injuries. The finding is being welcomed by immigration advocates in support of arguments favoring the issuance of driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.
The report contains analyzed data collected from fatal car accidents over a 23-year period. The DMV found that unlicensed motorists, mostly between the ages of 20 and 29 years old, are three times more likely than licensed motorists to cause a fatal auto accident.
A similar report was also recently released by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. This study ranked Los Angeles at the top of cities with significantly high accident rates for pedestrians and bicyclists.
In terms of the ongoing debate related to immigration, advocates believe California would benefit if undocumented immigrants were given an opportunity to train and test for driver's licenses.
With additional training, the thought is that otherwise unlicensed drivers would be better equipped to navigate the roads, thus reducing the number of eventual incidents that lead to accidents and injuries. Opponents, meanwhile, insist that handing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants is a national security risk.
With additional training, the thought is that otherwise unlicensed drivers would be better equipped to navigate the roads, thus reducing the number of eventual incidents that lead to accidents and injuries. Opponents, meanwhile, insist that handing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants is a national security risk.
However, the hope is that the findings do not become a platform for any political agenda, as the issue is really about public safety and how to lower accidents, especially those caused by unlicensed drivers. The DMV's report recommends encouraging testing and impounding vehicles as possible solutions.
(Written by Vee Dela Casa for Law Offices of Lee Arter, Feb. 4, 2013. For the U.S. published version, click here)
About The Author
Victor Dela Casa is a Filipino-Canadian who spent over a decade working as a business professional in Canada. Worked in IT, finance, marketing, international trade, public service, project management and the maritime industry. Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and Honours Diploma from Eastern College. Currently based in the Philippines and working as a professional writer for a multi-national business processes firm.
Tags: DMV, car accident, immigration
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