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Millions of Americans have had their drivers licenses suspended, and not because of unsafe driving or other safety concerns, but because of government imposed debt they could not afford to pay.

State and local governments must end taxation by citation and right now they have an opportunity to do so. The Driving for Opportunity Act is bipartisan legislation that provides grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver’s license of a person or registration of a motor vehicle for failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees. Right now, the bill is awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee — and there’s no time to waste.

By helping states cover the cost or reinstating drivers licenses previously suspended for unpaid vines and fees, the legislation encourages states to do the right thing.

Taxation by citation is a pernicious system, and it works like this: State and local governments create frivolous regulations as predatory money-making schemes to fund government services. A person in violation of any one of these unnecessary codes is then slapped with a fine and a bevy of administrative fees, which can then escalate into hundreds or even thousands of dollars. When that person can’t afford to pay their debt, the government suspends their driver’s license. This exposes them to even harsher penalties, including arrest and incarceration, when they have no choice but to drive on a suspended license. People whose licenses have been suspended are often left with no choice but to drive and risk criminal consequences, making it even more difficult for them to pay off their debt.

State and local governments should not be funding their operations through law enforcement, period. But they do, and it’s nonsensical and counterproductive.

We would like to thank the ACLU for the content. Click HERE to view the original comprehensive article.