Law Enforcement Inequity

To the Editor:

Yesterday, November 21, I was stopped by the police on Church Hill Road, and given a ticket for not wearing my seat belt. I did not exchange words with the policeman and willingly accepted to myself that I was indeed breaking the law.

All well and good. But on the same afternoon I heard of a young boy who at the age of 14 had been stopped by the police for driving without a license (under age obviously), drinking while driving, and with drug paraphernalia in the car. He was given a warning and sent home.

Is there some wrong with these two pictures? I could have argued with my friendly cop — I’m a senior, the seat belt hurts. I grew up without them, on and on, excused myself for forgetfulness, etc — but I paid my fine.

The young boy in question suffered no further reprimand for driving under age with drugs and alcohol. Which is the most dangerous situation?

I have never heard of anyone causing an accident by not wearing a seat belt — although using a car phone while driving seems to me very dangerous.

The young boy will grow up disregarding the laws of the road and will eventually kill himself or the occupants of another car. Please let our police force take a harder line with young (or old) drivers abusing this law. Alcohol, drugs, and driving do not mix. I’m sure there is no disagreement there. Seniors like myself who decide not to wear seat belts, for whatever reason, are still responsible drivers and will only hurt themselves in an accident.

The penalties for kids, drugs and drinking in cars, should be enforced to safeguard the future not just a take on the worst. Life is not fair I agree, but isn’t something very wrong here?

Nancy Gordon

Dinglebrook Lane, Newtown                                 November 22, 2004