by Doreen Mayers

Created on: June 18, 2008   Last Updated: June 20, 2008

Unlicensed and uninsured drivers are getting behind the wheels of motor vehicles that are
operated on the highways and city streets. A very large number of undocumented immigrants have cars and they are operating these vehicles without a driver's license or insurance because, their immigration status does not allow them to apply for a valid driver's license issued by the State. Many hit and run accidents are caused by unlicensed and uninsured drivers some of these drivers are likely to be undocumented immigrants. In order to make our streets safe for every one, the Governor of New York State has implemented a program to included undocumented immigrants as license drivers by issuing licenses regardless of them immigration status. An Estimated 50,000 to 1 million undocumented immigrants could be driving on the streets without a valid license or insurance .

Unlicensed drivers seems to be more reckless on the roads simply because,they are not registered with the state in which they live, and are unknown and cannot be easily found when accidents occurs. They have no driving records or home addresses that are on file with the State Motor Vehicle Bureau, yet they are taking a risk to drive, and have ownership of a vehicle the same as as a license drivers and this is illegal. Non- registered drivers are more likely to leave the scene of an accident than a registered driver, because these drivers are hiding to drive and do not want to take on any responsibility of being suit by accident victims. The issuance of driver's license to an undocumented immigrant would be within the state driving laws. All vehicle drivers should have a valid driver's license and insurance. Immigrants would also gain self- esteem by gaining recognition as a person with the issuance of a drivers license would bring most immigrants to the forefront with an identity at this point, there are immigrants living in the United States without any one knowing who they are or why are they here. The issuance of drivers license will empower immigrants as far as driving on city streets. Many immigrants living in the large cities are taxi drivers, and it is a disaster if these drivers are undocumented and unlicensed drivers that are on our streets each day picking up passengers and transporting them to various location without any insurance.

The reason why politicians are opposing the issuing drivers license to immigrants, is because of September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the Unites States. Some people are

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