On February 1, Dave Balay from Alberta, Canada was pulled over for a regular routine traffic stop. While Dave handed the officer his license and vehicle registration, the officer noticed that Dave had a tear about an inch long on his drivers license, so he took the license and registration back to his police car and noticed that his vehicle matched the identity of the same vehicle that was reported swerving a short while back. Mr. Balay thought this was funny as he said that he doesn't even drink alcohol. After he told the officer that he doesn't drink, the officer gave the man a $465 ticket for a mutilated license. Dave was so flustered that he didn't even get mad at the police officer. Later, the police department said that they cut him some slack because they could have charged Dave with careless driving.
Questions:
1.) If you were Dave Balay, what do you think you would say to the police officer?
2.) What do you think the fine should be for a manipulated license?
My answers:
1.) I would probably laugh for a little bit at myself, but I would not argue with the police officer because he is just doing his job.
2.) I don't think the fine should be $465 because I think that is way to much of a fine for a manipulated license, I think they should give you a warning first, but if they find that you haven't gotten a new license on the second offence, it should be around $50.
Link: http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/his-drivers-license-had-a-tear-so-police-fined-him-465/
Replies
Good summary! Be sure to hyperlink correctly and reply more frequently to student comments.
i would just say that it stupid and all that but in the end i wouldn't argue a lot because then your more than likely to get a ticket. the fine shouldn't be 465 dollars it should be around 50 to 75.
I wouldn't argue or say anything to the police officer because that could just irritate him more. The officer is just doing his job. I don't think the fine should be that high because things can happen and drivers licences aren't indestructible. I think they should have given a warning and if it hadn't been fixed by next time then a lower fee could be applied.
I would be angry. Why couldn't the police officer give him a warning, tell him to go get a new one? I don't think a mutilated license should be a $465 fine. That's outrageous. Sometimes things happen, maybe it was an accident that his license got ruined. I would only make it $40.
I think the amount is a little over the top, but I think he could've handled it a little better. He didn't have to say he didn't drink alcohol because that's not the only reason that people can swerve. I think I would just take the fine and not say anything because I wouldn't want to get in more trouble. I definitely think $465 dollars is way to much for a tear in your license. I think one warning and then anywhere from 25-100 dollars would be a good fine for it.
I would be so mad and probably laugh. I would also fight the charge. I think manipulated license should be like a fake one or if it is so worn down that you can't even see the information.
First of all, im scared of the police, because if you say the wrong thing to them, they could either taze you or kill you on the spot. The fine should come after at least 2 warnings, and the fine should be $25, because $465 seems like an unfair fine, just for a tear in a driver's licence.
If you are doing the right thing they wouldn't do that. First off, police are just there to do their job. Second, If you are following the law it is very unlikely that they would taze you and they would definitely not kill you. That is their last resort. Police are their to make sure people are following the law not to hurt you.
I would be super scared actually because police kinda just make me nervous. That's only because I feel like if I were being pulled over I could get arrested. I honestly know nothing about " manipulated license so I don't know what a good fine would be. I agree with the $50 dollars.
Personally, I think they should have dug more into the situation to make sure it was the same car. I believe a warning should just be sent out for the crack in the license and later get a fine if he didn't get a new one. It is good he didn't say anything to the officer because this could have caused a lot more trouble.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next