(Advertisement)

Lack Of Driver’s Licenses Alarming

District Court Judge Calls Issue Safety Problem

Posted: December 11, 2011 at 5:55 a.m.

Ernest Cate, Springdale District Court Judge, talks Wednesday to a woman appearing in his courtroom for driving without a license. An increasing number of people arrested for no driver’s license have insurance. Cate’s concern over driver’s licenses is the safety of those driving or walking in Springdale. “We have to have our rules enforced,” Cate said. “If they aren’t, we’d have 12-year-olds driving on the interstate. Our streets would not be safe.”

It’s 8:30 a.m. in a crowded Springdale District Court. Judge Ernest Cate is preaching to his congregation about the evils of driving without a license.

This story is only available from the archives. Click here to contact the online desk.

(Advertisement)



« Previous Story

New museum to be touted across nation

With the Nov. 11 opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the state of Arkansas is expanding its marketing to include national magazine subscribers from Atlanta t... Read »

Next Story »

VA Home Cited For Violations

Nadine Huddleston, administrator of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Fayetteville Veterans Home, gives a tour of the facility Thursday. Huddleston said she’s confident the home has addressed all the violations found earlier this year during inspections and will receive a good report when the home is inspected again early next year.

Veterans got cold food, improper medicines and lacked sanitary care at the Fayetteville Veterans Home, accordi... Read »

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.

Jeezus, Ernie Jr. - is there no bigger issue in Springdale to be addressed?

Posted by: GeneralJackTRipper

December 11, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

To me this IS a HUGE problem. If 5 people a day are being stopped with no license, at least 10 times THAT are driving and don't get stopped. Have you ever been hit by someone with no license? It is a big pain! Driving is not a right--it is a privilege. All drivers are to pass a written exam as well as a drivers exam. Then they should have legitimate insurance--if not their car should be impounded. And, drivers tests should NOT be given in ANY language but English--we speak English in the US. Our signs are in English--if you can't read it, you don't know the difference between "bridge out", "Slow", "Slippery", or "Stop". Learn the language--then take the test.

Posted by: Snappy

December 11, 2011 at 7:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

The tests should be given in any langauge with a large enough demand as long as the signs with words in English are not changed for the non-English tests. Let's be realistic about the growing diveristy of Northwest Arkansas and do what it takes to get folks licensed and hopefully a little safer.

V/r,

Tank

Posted by: Tankersley101

December 11, 2011 at 8:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Snappy, just to clear it up real quick. The insurance these folks buy is "legitment". The companies are fully licensed with in the state of Arkansas, the rates approved, and the coverages do meet state requirements. If someone hits me, their licenses status does not mean squat to me, wether or not they have insurance does.

Posted by: Tumblebug

December 12, 2011 at 8:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Snappy--
Nobody has ever suggested that our traffic signs be in any language other than English. One reason they are categorized by shape and color according to the type of information conveyed is to make language irrelevant. This is the case internationally, and signage is fairly consistent around the world in this respect. As for informational signs involving text, most city names-- around here, at least-- are the same in any language. Most people, whether or not they read the local language, are quick to memorize the routes they drive regularly.

Tankersley101--
You have hit the nail on the head.

Posted by: AlphaCat

December 12, 2011 at 11:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.