Motor Vehicle Responsibilities

I have some advice for anyone contemplating doing an end run around the legal requirements for owning and driving a motor vehicle. Don't do it. Against a great deal of earnest advice to the contrary, an acquaintance of ours has done so, complete with high-sounding rhetoric about being part of the kingdom of heaven and therefore not subject to any other earthly powers.

This person now faces three charges: No driver's license, No liability insurance, and No vehicle registration. Maximum penalties for a person found guilty of all of these charges add up to 18 months in jail and $4500 in fines. Besides these costs, there is a towing fee to pay, and daily impoundment charges for the vehicle. Meanwhile there is no transportation to work, legal appearances, or anywhere else without relying on the mercy of others. His name appears on the county jail log, but he is listed as having been released. I suspect he posted bond--another cost.

As the case works its way through the courts, there will undoubtedly be court costs, and if the services of an attorney are sought, there will be attorney fees. Taking time off from work to make court appearances will limit working hours and the resulting income. And now, all at once, with the rhetoric found wanting, there's a flurry of expensive activity involved in getting the necessary papers. No proper title for the vehicle was ever secured, and there's question about whether it's possible to do so now. In any case, a title is needed so that sales tax can be paid, so that it can be properly registered so that a tag can be purchased so that it can be released from impoundment. Abandoning the vehicle may be the only feasible option because of all the time involved, combined with the mounting impoundment fees.

The expired driver's license has been renewed, for the usual fee. That, at least, was fairly simple.

What would, of course, have simplified everything a great deal is if the person at the center of this mess had been willing to be accountable to others and follow wise counsel earlier. Granted, this problem is not unique to him. Those of us who look on would do well to ponder what pockets of unwillingness to be accountable and to follow wise counsel may yet reside in us, and what this may eventually cost us. Compared to "cruisin' for a bruisin' "against the brick walls that force the consequences of our choices upon us, listening to and heeding admonition begins to look very attractive.