Follow this: Some person, usually for lack of funds, is unable to buy the required insurance. At this point that person can not legally drive their vehicle to and from work, even if they have one; and, if the person does so the odds are the fact will eventually come to the attention of a Law Enforcement Officer, the results of which are common knowledge. In some locals immediate impoundment of the vehicle and incarceration. Certainly imposition of monetary fines further compounding the original problem, lack of funds, and, an SR-22 filing requirement will be added to the requisites for the continued maintenance of a valid Operators License. For a person with limited resources, whose income is at or near minimum; and, public transportation being what it is, termination of their employment usually coincides or follows shortly on the heels of the decision not to drive without the required Insurance and/or a valid Operators License.
Finally, out of work, completely destitute, that person will be forced to apply for public assistance; but, to get the assistance they must join the Jobs Program. Failure to actively participate is grounds for termination of all assistance, including the most rudiment: Food Stamps.. However, participation in Jobs at the required level is not possible without personal transportation in the sprawling suburban Cities and small towns of Oregon. Everything is spread too far apart for walking or bicycling and public transportation is mostly non-existent in all but the very largest of cities.
Obviously, since lack of a valid Operators License or the Required Insurance is not taken into account, and Jobs offers no solutions, concessions or aid to a client in dealing with those requisite requirements for personal transportation, the situation is one which forces a large number of people to unlawfully drive long distances on a daily basis to comply with the Jobs Program requirements. Particularly those participants who live anywhere other than in one of the selected major metropolitan areas where such programs are located.
Why are today’s laws such that a great number of people are forced to act unlawfully while attempting to meet the requirements set forth by other laws?
I suggest we ask our Legislature.