Human cost of unlicensed drivers
Growing list of South Carolinians killed by unlicensed drivers, some illegal immigrants, fuels debate for tougher laws
FILE/Tyrone Walker
The Post and Courier
Afternoon traffic near the intersections of I-26 and I-526 in North Charleston.
The human cost
In addition to the recent death of Smokey Bones bartender Steven Rand Rouvet, here are examples of the lives lost on South Carolina roadways to wrecks involving unlicensed, immigrant drivers:
Bluffton, May 18, 2008:
Federal authorities were investigating the immigration status of a man accused of driving drunk in a crash that killed high school senior Josh George, 17, as he headed home from the prom, The Island Packet newspaper reported. Juan Rodriquez, 20, was charged with felony DUI involving a death. Immigration officials did not say if Rodriquez was in the U.S. legally. There were conflicting reports about his name and whether he was from Honduras or Mexico.
Moncks Corner, July 13, 2006:
Moncks Corner Town Planner Michael Mitchum was killed when an unlicensed driver ran into him as he was getting out of his car to inspect a job site. Authorities said Jonise Kelvin, then 18, was at the wheel of the work van that hit Mitchum. Kelvin was charged with driving without a S.C. license and involuntary manslaughter. Kelvin told authorities through an interpreter that he is from Honduras. The Highway Patrol said Kelvin had no driver's license and limited driving experience. The State Department of Corrections said Kelvin served one year in prison for involuntary manslaughter and was turned over to immigration officials.
Myrtle Beach, Oct. 13, 2005:
Joyce Dargan, 57, was hit and killed when she walked to her mailbox in Restaurant Row, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported. Authorities said two teen boys were racing their cars when one swerved off the road and struck Dargan. The boys, 14 and 15 at the time, were sentenced to up to six years in juvenile prison. Both were illegal immigrants who later could be deported. The boy whose car struck Dargan had been stopped for traffic violations twice in the six weeks before her death.
COLUMBIA—Recent accidents, some involving illegal immigrants, have captured the attention of the community and have lawmakers talking about what to do about unlicensed drivers.
From 2001 to 2005, 807 fatal accidents in South Carolina are believed to have involved unlicensed drivers, according to AAA Carolinas. It's unclear how many of those accidents were caused by illegal immigrants.
Regardless of the reasons they don't have licenses, unlicensed drivers are among the greatest safety threats on the highways, said Carol Gifford, public relations manager for AAA Carolinas, which released the "Unlicensed to Kill" study in March.
"The state needs to prevent unlicensed drivers from driving, but that is very difficult to do," she said.
Earlier this month, Smokey Bones bartender Steven Rand Rouvet, 21, was killed in an early-morning hit-and-run crash near North Charleston. Four days later, Highway Patrol troopers charged Jesus Magana, an illegal immigrant with no driver's license, with leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.
Many fatal hit-and-run and drunk-driving crashes don't involve illegal immigrants, though the ones that do have attracted a lot of attention. The state averages more than 1,000 traffic fatalities each year.
And the growing list of South Carolinians killed by unlicensed, illegal immigrant drivers has helped drive the debate as the Legislature passed a new broad reform law that went into effect earlier this month.
But more work is left to be done.
"I would love to throw the book at illegal immigrants who are here driving on our highways," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms, a Bonneau Republican.
The problem: The issue of unlicensed drivers, illegal immigrants and state law is a tangled mess. It is muddied by such situations as how to handle licensed drivers who leave home without their photo ID, or foreign tourists who visit Charleston. The federal government is so overwhelmed with immigration issues that it isn't much help, either.
Rep. Chip Limehouse, a Charleston Republican, thinks the solution comes in part by the Legislature strengthening penalties for drivers who are not licensed.
"We need to put those people behind bars," Limehouse said.
The minimum fine for unlicensed drivers is $232.50 for a first offense. It's $647.50 for those who get caught driving with a suspended license.
Limehouse added that the state's new immigration law is a start. It allows judges to consider immigration status when setting bail and attempts to stop illegal workers from finding jobs. Without work, the illegal immigrants won't be able to stay here.
The new law also seeks an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to let the state enforce the federal laws.
Sen. Robert Ford, a Charleston Democrat, said the penalties won't serve as an effective deterrent.
"We have capital punishment in South Carolina, and that doesn't stop people in South Carolina from committing murder," Ford said.
He said the state should consider giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses. At least then, he said, they would be required to know the rules of the road.
"I think what's happening now, people want to make it so hard on illegal immigrants, they don't understand the consequences of their actions," Ford said. "People will be driving without knowing anything about the traffic laws. We don't know anything about true blue-blooded Americans driving without a license."
Many agree that the biggest part of the problem is not knowing how many people are driving unlicensed, and who they are. It's obviously more than illegal immigrants, and it includes drunken drivers who have lost their licenses and who continue to hit the roads.
"If your license is suspended and you're taking a chance, there aren't any laws to solve that. You're going to roll the dice," Ford said.
One effective approach is to immobilize or impound vehicles if drivers have had their licenses taken away, AAA's Gifford said. State officials need to have more control over licensing, license status and some vehicle-based sanctions, she said.
Grooms said the Transportation Committee has begun work on sorting through state law when it comes to driver's licensing and penalties.
"It is a problem and it is something the Transportation Committee will spend a great deal of time on," Grooms said. "We're going to go through this law and find out where loopholes are. But we want to make sure there are no unintended consequences of strengthening our laws.
"We'll make sure the penalties are appropriate for the lawbreakers."
The changes can't come soon enough, Hanahan police Lt. Mike Fowler said. Unlicensed drivers, specifically Hispanics who are believed to be illegal immigrants, are an issue the police in Hanahan face every day, Fowler said.
In the last week, Hanahan police arrested 14 unlicensed drivers, 13 of whom were Hispanic without proper identification, Fowler said. He noted that lack of federal cooperation leaves local police with no real way of knowing who is here legally.
Unlicensed drivers exist in every demographic, Fowler said, but the problem is compounded by those police believe to be illegal immigrants who sometimes flee the country before they can be prosecuted or never show up for court and slip back into the community.
"We had one Hispanic woman run a red light, weaving all over traffic, the officer thought she was drunk," Fowler said. "She wasn't drunk. She just didn't know how to drive."
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 67 comment(s)
Posted by lillycollette on June 16, 2008 at 4:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO: "We have capital punishment in South Carolina, and that doesn't stop people in South Carolina from committing murder," Ford said.
This one always tickles me. Can Mr. Ford name one murderer who has murdered after their execution?
Posted by vtsusa on June 16, 2008 at 5:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"He said the state should consider giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses. At least then, he said, they would be required to know the rules of the road."
'Legal' immigrants do (in theory) learn the rules of the road and get licenses. I am sorry but if an illegal immigrant comes into the DMV to get a license they should immediately be detained and shipped back to wherever they came from; knowingly giving them a license should be the same as knowingly hiring someone, AGAINST THE LAW! We need to get rid of them, not make it easier on them to be here.
Posted by pirate42 on June 16, 2008 at 5:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is about time SC opens its darn eyes to the fact that there out there ALL OVER just take a look at ashley phosphate stall rd area I am a lay person and can tell a I legal driver out dated plates on cars trucks from other states I bet I see 3 aday going into work behind the wheel you know who it is......
Posted by Slick50 on June 16, 2008 at 5:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With all the computer technology at their fingertips, the DOT still does a poor job on following up registered vehicles with expired tags or uninsured drivers. On any given day you can spot a few expired tags as you drive to and from work. Find the expired tags and you may find the unlicensed/uninsured drivers as well. It is the little things that add up to huge problems in South Carolina.
Posted by moonpie on June 16, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the ones flying around, squirting in and out of traffic, all while being here illegally. Yet breaking another law in their quest to steal our jobs no one else will do.
Ah what a country!
Posted by billtom on June 16, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about these illegal's not having a car to begin with? If there is a law going to be changed, make it one that requires a SC license in order to register a car! All you need to register a car now is a SC "customer number" which everyone who isn't licensed gets by simply showing proof of ID, which can be a mexican license or even getting a ticket!
Posted by MP on June 16, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My wife works for a large local bank. Almost daily Hispanics come in to cash paychecks from local businesses. They never have ID. When asked for a driver's license the usual response is "no", or they produce some out-of-state ID card that is not a driver's license. My spouse watched them drive to the bank, sometimes in the business's vehicle. Yet, they have no ID, no driver's license. They surely have no insurance. My spouse wants to call the police when this happens, but the bank officers say no. They dont want to upset the business customer these illegals work for. The business and the bank are both putting us at risk on our highways, all for a few bucks in profit.
Posted by charlestonpride on June 16, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think Mr. Ford knows what he is talking about. He just talks to hear himself, thinking that he is saying something intelligent. These people can't get a license because they are "illegal". That "word" should be enough to sent them home. They also don't have car insurance, which in turn will cause my rates to go even higher. My husband and I work 4 jobs to make ends meet and I am tired of paying for everyone else who wants a free ride.
Posted by number1volsfan1 on June 16, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just yesterday I drove 3 miles (each way) to my local Wal Mart. During that trip I saw 3 utility vans (loaded with Mexicans). None of the 3 vans had month and/or year registration stickers on their license plates. I know if I can make this observation on a short 6 mile trip the police (who, I assume, drive many miles during their shifts) should notice these violations.
Posted by MP on June 16, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont want to buy auto insurance or get a driver's license? Just learn "no hable englis". Guaranteed to keep you out of trouble and get you all kinds of free services. Have a car accident? Just run!
Posted by teeitup on June 16, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Robert Ford should be deported to Mexico for falsely representing himself as a human being
Posted by number1volsfan1 on June 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jonsey - "Oh - and a big thanks to all of you schmucks who voted for Lindsey last Tuesday".
Typical liberal rant. Free speech and freedom of choice are only acknowledged freedoms when aligned with the liberal opinion.
"Modern liberalism is the victory of symbolism over substance" - Lorne Gunter, National Post.
Posted by gmc1 on June 16, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very simple, if you don't have a license, you can't own a car.
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article says the teenage boy who struck and killed a woman in Myrtle Beach,had been spopped TWICE in the past six weeks for trafic violations AND with no liscene.[should have been deported then]. CLEARLY SOMEONE is not doing their job! Maybe our governor who is letting all these illegals come into just this state alone and take all the jobs away from Americans who have always paid taxes. For weeks I drove my son around looking for work,[he is a skilled carpentar] and every jobsite we went to was ful of Mexicans. A couple of places had a taco truck on the jobsite. I blame this on the ones who are allowing it to happen. You can bet NOTHING will ever be done because they are spending their money here. ONE MORE comment and I'm done. When these illegals started piling into our country they all drove beat up old vans, remember? You always knew to get out of the way when you saw them weaving on the highways,because none of them know how to drive. One thing I always wondered about [OK it's two comments],is how come every one you came into contact with had a N.C. drivers liscence?OHHHH don't get me started!Getting back to my point about the vans,they pretty much now all drive new kingcabs. Must be nice!
Posted by DoniaDutchess on June 16, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the idea of impounding the cars of people with suspended licenses. If they borrow a car, impound that one, too. Concerning illegals-catch them and send them home. That's one tax I wouldn't mind paying.
Posted by greyrider on June 16, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stricter penalties always bring down crime. NOTHING will eliminate crime, so quit using that argument, but common sense needs to be applied here. And I think Jane has a great idea about suing the employers of illegals. However, remember that this goes way beyond the illegals. I've known a few people with suspended or revoked licenses who figured it was "worth the risk" and we need to make that risk so severe, they back down.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on June 16, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
southerngirl45- Why is it that almost all of them have NC tags?I wondered that the other day.
To MP- I would tell your wife to call ICE She doesnt need permission from her employer to report crime.Her employer doesnt need to know she called either.
ICE : 843-745-9290 Someone had posted this number before with instructions to tell them the national # gave you their local reporting #.(In other words-make 'em listen!)
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have red everyone's comments, and it seems we all want the same thing.Have you noticed however how all the mexican resturants are packed? There are two where I live that have outside seating, and when I try to get to the bank, you can't get even close because there are waiting lines to get in to eat their food. See anything wrong here????????
Posted by lou9 on June 16, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again Robert Ford shows his acute sense of stupidity. His kind of thinking is the main part of the problem with illegals today. I can't believe those idiots in his district keep voting him back in office.
Posted by LadyTarHeel on June 16, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jane: North Carolina has realized that and they have tightened the reigns considerably. It's difficult for legal citizens to get a driver's license. You have to three forms of ID including a social security card, voter's registration, your old/expired driver's license, school ID (if applicable), etc... The changes to the law has cut down on the number of illegals getting driver's licenses. The lines at the DMV aren't nearly as long. The state highway patrol and the sheriff's office from my home county have random traffic checks everyday. They usually have 10-15 cars stopped beside the road simply for not having a driver's license. Maybe some changes to the laws here are in order.
Posted by pck5 on June 16, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jonsey, i think you make a good point. it's not that jobs that illegals hold are ones we can't find anyone to work for. it's that they brings those jobs down to a $5/hour level.
i grew up on the north shore outside of boston. i went to college in new hampshire, lived in california, and my family now lives in arizona. these are all drastically different areas. in new hampshire, landscaping, painting, etc are great jobs. the workers are college kids that make $10-15/hr. not once did i EVER see a group of immigrants standing on the side of the road waiting for day labor (we used to call these 'fiestas' in california). by hiring illegals at $5/hr it brings the job to a level where no one wants to do it.
one other thing that drives me crazy is the lack of assimilation. if you are going to move somewhere, you should embrace the new culture. when my family moved to arizona, i was visiting once, to hear them complaining about how all of the food was terrible there, and that nobody could cook there like in boston. so i said 'well then why did you move here? why don't you go back to boston?'. i'm not sure if this is the best example, but why move somewhere if you don't want to embrace the new location? it's fine to keep your culture and be proud of where you come from, but out of respect for those who live there, you should make an effort to appreciate where you are.
so i don't get it. you want a better life in america. that's fine, best of luck. but why can't you come legally and live like the rest of us? pay taxes, get driver licenses legally, and learn english.
Posted by shoelaces on June 16, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder how many illegals are in Ford's district? Guess he NEEDS their support...why else try to support the illegals?
As an educator I have had a student of mine pulled to help translate for Spanish speaking adults trying to enroll their children in the school. At least she was a free translator!!
And they don't really spend much of their money here. They send it back to their home countries to help out people there or to help them get here.
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I THINK COLDBEER SAYS IT BEST!!!!BLAME THE ONES GIVING THEM THE JOBS. TAKE THE JOBS AWAY AND THEY WILL GO AWAY. WHAT IS HAPPENING, IS ONE COMES, GETS THE JOB,THEN SENDS FOR THE REST OF THE FAMILY, THEY ALL PILE INTO A ONE BEDROOM APT.,
GET FOOD STAMPS,FREE MEDICAL CARE,AND HERE THEY ARE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM!!!!!!YEP, COLDBEER I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.!!!!!!!!!
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on June 16, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
southerngirl45-If its the one Im thinking of... I love that restaurant! LOL Anyone know if they hire illegals?I hope not :)On a more serious note-I agree with coldbeer.We need to crack down on these sub contractors.No available jobs will equal no illegals.(or close to it)I'm quite sure(as Ive posted before)some of these workers in my neighborhood are illegals.Lots of NC tags btw.I say we all get together,go down to the social services office and apply for everything available saying none of us have SS#'s.See how far any of us get with that.I was at my childs school before for a parent forum and they provided fn TRANSLATORS!!"Oh if anyone has difficulty or doesnt speak English,let us know and we'll stop and translate."You couldve heard a pin drop in that room.I vowed the moment the group was held up by translating for illegals I was outta there.Thank goodness they sat in a corner and werent disruptive to the rest of us.This is the U.S.A.I wouldnt move to Mexico and expect them to hold up meetings translating for me.
Posted by CaptPete on June 16, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully in Jan when the new SC law takes effect the people hiring these folks will be dealt with. Maybe this will close the jobs and the Mexicans will self deport.
My sister's car was hit by one. The ins card was for a cancelled policy and the drivers Lic was from NC. Her uninsured motorist paid.
Posted by greyrider on June 16, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe its time to employ (no pun intended) the bounty system. They say it would be too expensive to round them all up and deport them. How about $100 for every illegal caught because of a tip called in? Before anybody says it, you would obviously have to set some kind of limit as far as once you call in so many false tips, you're disqualified for collecting the bounty. You wouldn't have to pay for ALL illegals, because once they started getting caught, others would take off on their own. The Feds will never do this because it makes too much sense, but this could possibly just get them out of South Carolina and make them someone else's problem.
Posted by grannyofsix on June 16, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!! What an eye opener Jane I just went to www.immigrationcounters.com you put in your post I am reeling it was changing as i read WOW!!
Posted by MP on June 16, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CaptPete, Your sister's uninsured coverage paid - which means we all paid for the illegal's lack of insurance because I promise you that loss was tacked on our insurance premiums.
No driver's license - the car gets impounded no matter who owns it. If someone else owns it, let them pay a hefty fine to get it back. No license means straight to jail.
Posted by GoBoilers on June 16, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Check out the compelling article about Education and Immigration at:
http://www.beyondthemargin.net/
Posted by desspec on June 16, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The "public" is guilty or supporting illegals by simply supporting those who support illegals; construction companies, land scape companies, restaurants, and especially politicians(signs in Spanish and licenses for illegals)
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 16, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
desspec YOU GOT IT RIGHT!!!! If people would quit doing business with companies that hire illegals then things will change. But these allmighty dollar hungry companies will continue to hide from the law and use these unskilled laborors to build houses, dig ditches, paint, roof, mow lawns or whatever their business is because these Mexican workers will work all day for $5.00 an hour when anyone else would not do it for that price. This is part of the reason why the economy is dropping in Charleston and alot of good hardworking men can't get a job with decent pay. I think if they dont have legal docs to be here, then they shouldn't be allowed to rent any place to live, have any utilities in their names, should not be able to CASH ANY CHECK IN AMERICA. PERIOD. GOOD BYE, GO BACK TO MEXICO. (BTW, my sister in law is full blooded mexican heritage, and the mexican man who fell off the bridge and died was her cousin. I told her to tell the rest of her family to stay in Mexico. IT is dangerous here.)
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 16, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mark Sanford is a good man with good sense.
Posted by greyrider on June 16, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, I have a question, how did Hillary lose if there is no longer a right wing conspiracy in Washington?
Sad, but true, if you called a meeting of all the conservatives in the House and Senate in the Capitol, you'd see a handful of people sitting there, and then a tumbleweed would blow thru.
Posted by drp7773 on June 16, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Confiscate the cars and sell them for added revenue, since the roads are so much safer now with the new law, give each one a used bike with a basket to carry their case of beer and make them ride up and down Ashley Phosphate road all day for a week, the ones that make it for a week will have a better appreciation on the laws of cars in this country and the ones that dont make it , wellllllllllllll problem solved...
Posted by ln1959 on June 16, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The government truly need to be held accountable for this problem with people losing there jobs. When they award those contracts, it needs to be stipulated that no contracts shall have illegals workers. This also should be followed up with unannounced inspection. If these construction companies are found to be using illegals, then the contract should be pulled and all funds returned.
Posted by Test2007 on June 16, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I LOVE P&C so much. They start off the article with this "It's unclear how many of those accidents were caused by illegal immigrants" and then go on to describe an accident caused by an illegal immigrant. Hmmm. Get back to me when you get some damn facts. This has got to be the most ass backwards newspaper in the country.
Posted by wjhamilton3 on June 16, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The courts are imposing penalities for DUS every day. On many occassions people don't know their licenses have been suspended, generally because they've moved and not gotten their notices from the DMV. People's lives are often unstable and chaotic because of ecnomic problems or divorce. They move and don't forward their mail. Penalites for DUS repeat offenses are quite severe, however I've seen people driving who were facing years in prison. Tbey don't feel they have an option. Use of the car is so deeply engrained in our culture.
Please be assured the Judges are handing out jail time. There are a lot of unlicensed, uninsured drivers on the road. Many, many people are being arrested, fined and jailed. With as much as a quarter of the drivers on the road being uninsured or otherwise illegal, SC doesn't have the space to lock all these people up.
I was up in Summerville last month and the Municipal Judge had found five people in a row guilty. Penalities have already been increased. People are getting picked up. It's simply that a lot of people will drive regardless.
We know one reason we're seeing more and more people on CARTA is due to people who have lost their licenses. Tickets, drug offenses, DUI, non payment of child support and several other offenses result in loss of a drivers license today. It's a significant sized group of people.
We have a state where the amount many people are being paid and where they have to live based on their income means they have to have a car and can't affort to pay the full costs of operating one. They're going to drive. They're going to get locked up.
No matter what you do, some people will drive unless they are locked up. The deterrent model just doesn't function for them.
Posted by SeaSaw on June 16, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
South Carolina is one of six states refusing to comply with the Real ID Act. Read below:
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, which will require states to begin checking the identity of all license-holders beginning in May 2008.
Under Real ID, an estimated 245 million drivers will have to renew their licenses in person and show a form of photo identification and documents proving date of birth, Social Security number and address. Non-citizens will be able to get a Real ID license only while they are in the country legally.
The Department of Homeland Security has described the regulations as voluntary, but non-compliant licenses will no longer be valid for boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings. Instead, license-holders from those states will have to use a passport or other federally issued identification, such as a military ID.
Despite the penalties, six states have passed laws refusing to comply with the law because it infringes on state practice and carries an estimated $14 billion cost, which will fall largely to state governments and license-holders. Privacy advocates and civil libertarians charge that Real ID will compromise security because states will have to share personal data with the federal government and other states to verify an applicant’s identity.
Among that group of six, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and South Carolina do require some proof of legal presence to get a license, such as a Social Security number, but they will not cooperate with other aspects of the federal rules.
Maine and Washington also have passed laws rejecting Real ID. But they also would fail to meet the federal standards anyway because they issue licenses to illegal immigrants, along with Hawaii, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Utah.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/st...
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, for everybody's information every country, other than USA requires complete a driving course, before passing a test. And majority of driving courses from 3 to 9 months... Not having driving license doesn't mean that they can't drive(and they drive whole lot better than 90% Americans - that's a fact) I think DMW should let them past a test and give them license, even though they are not legal. Than we'll see who's really fault it is...
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
not a county - country...
Posted by singleroni on June 16, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NO LONGER REPUBLICAN!! STAYED TO GET TO VOTE AGAINST LINDSEY- MY WHOLE FAMILY AND I ARE NOW INDEPENDENTS!!!!!!!!! THERE IS ONLY ONE PARTY THINK IT STRANGE THAT THEE IS SO LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTIES. WE HAVE NO VOTE FOR CHANGE . THERE IS NO CHANGE.
Posted by MP on June 16, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Think about some of your points you are trying to make. DUS means driving when your license is suspended. That means you had a license at one time - and may still even have insurance. Most illegals aren't DUS. They never had a license in the first place to get it suspended. And chance of them having ANY insurance is between slim and none. Both DUS and, lets call it Driving Unlicensed or DU, should be criminal and involve immediate jail and confiscation of the vehicle. If the culprit is an illegal alien, put a big permanent tattoo on his forhead, take them to the Mexicaqn border and toss him/her across. That's probably where they got in. 70% of the people in some of our jail systems are illegal aliens - now getting free room, board, and medical care.
Posted by singleroni on June 16, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NEITHER- JUST FED UP WITH GOVERNMENT. NO ONE IS TAKING CARE OF ANY ONE EXCEPT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. GUESS SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE. JUST ANOTHER FED UP SILENT MAJORITY.
Posted by opinions4free on June 16, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This article really has opened up lots of questions for me:
-how does someone without a license get a car? why is that allowed to happen in this state/country?
-why do people loan their vehicles to people without licenses? and if someone loans a vehicle to someone without a license and they have an accident, fatal or not, why are both their happy behinds not placed behind bars?
-why can't we set up INS in the DMV and have them serve a dual purpose?
-why can't we hold people like the bank manager responsible when he/she knows that one of their customers is using illegals and letting them drive company cars, yet keeps turning the other way?
-what happens to the contractors who let anyone get behind the wheel of their vehicles without a license? why can they not be barred from business for 5 years or so and have their butts sued off? "i didn't know" is not an acceptable answer.
-why can't vehicles be impounded and sold to help offset the cost of insurance for those of us who have it...or to pay the medical bills for the folks who have been injured?
-is the post and courier going to do some follow up articles from the comments that were posted today? maybe visit some construction sites with a camera, take down some expired license plate numbers and see what shakes out?
Posted by GG on June 16, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ford is just a stupid ultra lib.
I say set some examples. Let's profile - yes, I said it -every vehicle driven by anyone who even looks Hispanic. Stop them. Jail them if they don't have a license. If they can't prove they are legal, then turn them over to INS.
Do this enough and they will leave on their own, especially once all 15 of them in the vehicle spread the word.
I have no problem with people wanting to have a better life, but come here legally and obey our laws. I think that is all most American citizens want.
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer don't complain when all vegetables and fruits will be too expensive to buy, when construction companies will charge you twice as much for roof, deck, house or whatever... Because 1 mexican = 2 americans by the "work power" you won't get same quality. if I want to have my roof replace - I'll trust mexicans first. Because they do it right.
Posted by forget on June 16, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No they don't "do it right". Alot of their work is substandard because they don't (or never did) have to answer to inspectors and codes.
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HEY everyone, read whoneedsamericans comment again!!!!!!!!!DOES HE OR SHE sound like an American to you? READ carefuly ,listen to context, and tell me what you think.Proper english here---I think not!!!!
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whoneedsamericans---ARE YOU LEGAL ?????AND NOOOOOOO, they DON"T do it right.If you believe that you should see the luxury apt. I live in.!!!!!!!!YEP, made in Mexico. OOPS, I mean made in America by Mexicans.
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jane, DAMN girl, I couldn' have said it better!!!!!!
Posted by singleroni on June 16, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://charleston.net/news/2008/jun/16/f...
did you see that they open a training facility on the old navy base. posted at 3:30 lets see which cities send people for training- will north charleston? bet not!!!
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm very legal by the way. In fact, I've got my citizenship 2 years ago... And I'm not from South America... I'm just so talanted, that America can not live without me.... But I certainly can live without America! And I did work hard to get my visa, green card and citisenship... But do I really need it? Do I really want to live in a country full of racist and lazy people, who blame everything on illegals?
Jane - my life is better here because of my paycheck and because you need me, not because of anything else... And, by the way, you need to learn about economy a little bit more - because America is NOT the most successful country as far as economy... What is it Dollar = 1.85 to 1 Euro now?
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And you know I probably should be the one against illegals, because I had to go through all that immigration papertrash.. But I'm not, because I know how hard it is to get legal here, I know all immigration rules in and out and how unfare they are.. I honestly do agree, that if you want to live in US, you have to speak native language and you have to follow the rules. But when the rules are against you? I personaly know a girl, who's father was killed by mafia, and she run to US asking for asylim.. And guess what - imigration said "No".. And she is not legal here, but at least she is alive...
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DAMN,I KNEW IT. IF you don't need the good ole U.S.A.,THEN I would suggest you get the hell out! We dont' want you here anyway,insulting our country, while sucking the life out of the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!AND THAT'S A FACT!!!!!!!!
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nope, from Germany... And my country is very friendly to immigrants, because they coming to work and make us rich... And they legalize and follow the rules... The problem is ,I think, if you not legal you don't really care about following the rules.. But every legal immigrant follow the rules like a Bible... And that's exactly what happened here in US.
Posted by singleroni on June 16, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GUESS AGAIN GERMANY LAST CHECK YOU WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MUSLIMS.!!
Posted by LocalTruth on June 16, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, let's point out the fact that the post and courier is afraid they might hurt some feelings if they use the PROPER name for these criminals. "ILLEGAL ALIENS"!!! They are not immigrants by legal description. They are "Illegal Aliens". It's as fake as using the word "African American" To describe black Americans. I wonder if we can get an expensive taxpayer study done to determine the amount of accidents caused by illegal aliens not knowing the rules of the road and not knowing english used on signage. Robert Ford has lost his mind if he thinks he should give driving priveledges to illegal aliens. Whats the matter? Are they now doing the driving everyone else refuses to do? Please stick with one excuse on why they are suppose to be here bobby. I say bring ALL of our men home from Iraq and put in the illegal aliens to earn their newfound property that politicians refuse to give back to us.
Posted by singleroni on June 16, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A FELLOW CLEMSON GRAD JUST GOT BACK FROM GERMANY- RUDE PEOPLE. THEY REFUSE TO TALK IN ENGLISH OR ATTEMPT TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER. TOLD HER SHE WAS THERE AND IT IS HER PROBLEM AND SHE HAS TO LEARN GERMAN TO STAY THERE. THANK GOT SHE IS HOME. VERY RUDE PEOPLE.
Posted by whoneedsamericans on June 16, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
southerngirl45 - nobody sucking your life from you, other than you! Open a book, for the first time in your life, maybe even go to elementary school, maybe even father - middle or high school. Don't think you can handle a college... Unfortunately, I'm too valuable employee to lose, otherwise I would be somewhere else, definitely not here!
P.s And stop complaining and crying - I hate that in a people - who blame their miserable life on others!
Posted by newto843 on June 16, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
singleroni, it sounds like the Germans did the right thing when "they refuse to talk in English". If we would stop trying to accommodate Spanish every where you go maybe things would be a little less inviting.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on June 16, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jonesy
"We have enough pompus folks here that retired from the northeast - we don't need you to boot. Go back to your turd-world hellhole if you don't like it."
That post is fn hilarious!OMG I havent laughed like that in a while-I LOVE IT!!!
Posted by prmoose on June 16, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am one of the few, fortunate ones! Last week, while waiting on the red light to change I was rear-ended by a Hispanic female. While the damage to my car was cosmetic, it was comical to watch the poor police officers trying to communicate with the woman. She spoke no English and had to talk to the police through her elementary aged children. As her proof to drive on the streets and highways of North Carolina, she handed the cops a Sam's Club card and an international driver's license. Luckily, she had insurance. She was cited for no license and unsafe movement. I hope ICE is waiting for her when she leave court!
Posted by dwfrance on June 16, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr Ford are you mental?
Posted by puddin46 on June 16, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem here with ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS is 1st: Border patrol not doing their job at keeping the illegals out; 2nd: once the illegals are caught and b/c they work for dirt cheap wages, they are able to be bailed out when their bonds are so low; 3rd: if they can not speak english fluently and enter the dmv, they should not be allowed to drive in the state of SC. Also, fine the businesses that hire these illegals when harm is caused to another individual. Look at the insurance rates when these illegals are not licensed, not insured, not LEGAL.You are not at fault and b/c of their negligence, you must use your own insurance to repair your car and of course, the rate goes up. The entire system is screwed up even when it comes down to the assistance programs out there. Have u all ever noticed that they can shop in the grocery stores and use 3-4 shopping carts and at the registers, they produce food stamp cards! They receive at least 4-5 hundred dollars in food stamps and for those persons who need assistance, they are unable to receive the assistance because according to the legislators, and government agencies, you make TOO much money. What is too much $ when gas is outrageous, groceries are at an all time high and the illegals are partying like rock stars. The illegals buy cars cash on the spot and spend assistance money to sup them up and while we still struggle. Have you ever seen them on Stall, Midland Park and Ashley Phospahte roads having their weekend parties? That's where all of your tax dollars are going...... To them! I say give food stamps to all families!
Posted by southerngirl45 on June 16, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WHONEEDSAMERICANS----YOU ARE A JOKE----YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH, SO YES I WOULD ASSUME YOU DO NEED AMERICA AFTERALL. STAY HERE AWHILE AND MAYBE YOU WILL LEARN TO PUT YOUR STUPID THOUGHTS INTO A REAL SENTENCE. YOU DO KNOW WHAT A SENTENCE IS,RIGHT? AS FOR ME, I HAPPEN TO HAVE A REAL EDUCATION. I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK LESSON----IT IS NOT PROPER TO SAY "IF YOU NOT LEGAL" THE PROPER WAY IS " IF YOU ARE NOT LEGAL"--NOT IS, "NOBODY SUCKING LIFE FROM YOU." ONCE AGAIN THE PROPER WAY IS TO SAY "NO-ONE IS SUCKING LIFE FROM YOU" NEED I SAY MORE? I DON'T THINK YOU ARE FROM GERMANY, BECAUSE THEY AREN'T THAT IGNORANT!!!!!!
Posted by heartofgold22 on December 27, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have spent about 30 minutes reading very rude and rasist comments, and it's funny because I thought prejudism was left back in the old days. I don't think any of you have suffered like many Illegal Immigrant. Take your time and talk to one you might learn alot from them.
Posted by yird on December 27, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My daughter was involved in an accident with an "undocumented
worker" who ran a red light resulting in permanent injuries that has ended her days of productivity.
He was bailed out and disappeared to strike again.
Want to talk about hate?
I hate everyone of these GD scumbags that break our laws with impunity and then have the support of all you sorry bleeding heart do gooder types.
Time for a little profiling.
Might be inconvenient for those who came here legally and actually assimilated into the American culture.
That's better than the status quo where the illegals are usually discovered after they kill someone.
Dial 1 for English, Dial 2 for deportation.