Quit bad driving habits or face the penalty

Times Colonist
January 18, 2013

Re: “Penalties for impaired driving may be waived,” Jan. 15.

I understand that some of the penalties assessed on a number of drivers stopped and penalized for being under the influence of alcohol are to be reassessed, in light of a court decision.

While that is not such a problem, I do think it is possible that the wrong drivers are likely to have the penalties removed.

The whole intent of our impaired-driving legislation is to persuade drivers to change their habits, if they have poor ones.

In my opinion, then, the drivers most worthy of such a mitigation are precisely those who have complied, however much they may have disagreed with the law, and have changed their habits. Those who refused, point-blank, to accept the penalties and change their ways have, essentially, convicted themselves. They will not change — and should stay off the road, as much for their own safety as that of the rest of the population.

Driving a car is not a right, but a privilege. Abuse that, and loss of it is warranted.

John A. Laidlaw

Victoria