Teen driver loses license forever

[KRCummings]

Fuck him.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/03/05/Teen-loses-drivers-license-for-life/UPI-44261330987496/

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 5 (UPI) -- A Rhode Island judge banned a teenager from ever driving again after he crashed his car, injuring himself and three passengers, while driving recklessly.

Lyle Topa, 17, of Charlestown, R.I., lost his license for life last week after pleading no contest to several charges, including speeding, for slamming his car into a tree in October while racing another driver, the Boston Herald reported Monday.

"I've had it," said Judge William Guglietta on imposing the sentence last week. "The time has come for a change in attitude towards our young people driving." He cited speed, booze and texting as constant issues.

Lawmakers applauded Guglietta's sentencing.

"Saying 'You lost your license for life,' sure it sends a strong message, but so was what we did," said state Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich.

Yet, nearby Massachusetts politicians said the ruling was a bit much for a young driver.

"I think it's a little harsh," said state Sen. Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth. "The kid might mature and actually be a responsible driver. I don't know how you can take it away from a kid that age forever. What's he going to do ... bike for the rest of his life?"

 

[bronzeage]

The right of the people to operate a motor vehicle shall not be infringed.

 

[Destinys_Bitch]

We'll be paying for his foodstamps because he won't be able to get a job.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Times are changing....

Laura Bush never got so much as a traffic ticket for running over and killing her boyfriend.

 

[jomar]

I'm on board.

 

[Kruge]

It will likely be successfully appealed at some point...

...but I agree With KRC. Hope it teaches the stupid punk a life lesson.

 

[cookiejar]

A boy here was racing another car a few years ago. The other car crashed, a boy was killed. Move ahead 3 years, same boy racing another car again. He crashes, one boy dies, boy's sister is paralyzed. You would think he'd have learned.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Agreed. Fuck him.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Except a lot of kids do this. He just got terribly unlucky. Seems a bit needlessly cruel to fuck him over for it.

Of course as long as he can keep himself out of future trouble it's not like Rhode Island is a big place. Set up a residency in any neighboring state get a license and drive around. It's not as if every cop is going to get a picture of him or anything.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

It seems excessive, but image what good this will do for the community. Those kinds of harsh consequences would certainly make some people make the better choice.

 

[RoryN]

Once they take away licenses permanently from fucking idiots ages 18-80 with multiple DUIs/DWIs, I'll celebrate this 17-year-old losing his. So will people who've lost loved ones to multiple offenders driving sloshed.

Also, if you exceed 90MPH or take longer than 10 minutes to pull over during a police chase with no subsequent "good reason" determined, you ought to be forced to ride the bus until you're dead.

 

[bronzeage]

We'll be paying for his foodstamps because he won't be able to get a job.

No, we'll be paying his room and board while he is in prison.

 

[fadetoblack2011]

Fuck the guy man

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

I googled and learned a little more about this kid. The punishment fits the crime. If you have a suspended license, and would actually still drive to a party to drink, you have no respect whatsoever for the law and aren't fit to be on the road ever.

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

I googled and learned a little more about this kid. The punishment fits the crime. If you have a suspended license, and would actually still drive to a party to drink, you have no respect whatsoever for the law and aren't fit to be on the road ever.

The kid needs a consequence, but this consequence is too harsh and won't mean much.

It's tough to punish someone for life, for something they did as a kid.

What stops him from moving to a neighboring state, getting a license, & then driving in R.I.?

 

[KRCummings]

The kid needs a consequence, but this consequence is too harsh and won't mean much.

It's tough to punish someone for life, for something they did as a kid.

What stops him from moving to a neighboring state, getting a license, & then driving in R.I.?

If it's too harsh then how can it not mean much? That doesn't make sense.

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

If it's too harsh then how can it not mean much? That doesn't make sense.

You're connected two things that aren't connected.

1. He's a minor. He's not legally responsible for ALL his decisions just yet.

Which is separate from,

2. He could just move to another state, get a license, and drive in R.I. whenever he wishes.

 

[KRCummings]

You're connected two things that aren't connected.

1. He's a minor. He's not legally responsible for ALL his decisions just yet.

Which is separate from,

2. He could just move to another state, get a license, and drive in R.I. whenever he wishes.

You said "It's too harsh and won't mean much." That's contradictory. If it won't mean much then it's hardly harsh at all.

And you still don't make sense because he obviously is legally responsible. The fact that he can still get a license somewhere else again says it wasn't that harsh.

Make up your mind what you're trying to say.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

The kid needs a consequence, but this consequence is too harsh and won't mean much.

It's tough to punish someone for life, for something they did as a kid.

What stops him from moving to a neighboring state, getting a license, & then driving in R.I.?

So I guess it really isn't that harsh, is it? It's a very good punishment, yes he will be able to drive elsewhere. But anytime he visits his home town, for the rest of his life, he will have to be on high alert if he drives. What's wrong with that?

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

So I guess it really isn't that harsh, is it? It's a very good punishment, yes he will be able to drive elsewhere. But anytime he visits his home town, for the rest of his life, he will have to be on high alert if he drives. What's wrong with that?

It's legally too harsh, and may not stand up in court.

Why would he have to be on high alert for doing something that's legal?

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

You said "It's too harsh and won't mean much." That's contradictory. If it won't mean much then it's hardly harsh at all.

And you still don't make sense because he obviously is legally responsible. The fact that he can still get a license somewhere else again says it wasn't that harsh.

Make up your mind what you're trying to say.

I'm being very clear about what I'm saying.

A minor is not legally responsible for all their decisions. You may want them to be, but the law is clear on this.

 

[KRCummings]

I'm being very clear about what I'm saying.

A minor is not legally responsible for all their decisions. You may want them to be, but the law is clear on this.

If he weren't responsible he wouldn't have been in court in the first place. You think everyone under 18 that drives isn't responsible for what they do? That's ignorant even for you.

 

[John Doe]

Except a lot of kids do this. He just got terribly unlucky. Seems a bit needlessly cruel to fuck him over for it.

Of course as long as he can keep himself out of future trouble it's not like Rhode Island is a big place. Set up a residency in any neighboring state get a license and drive around. It's not as if every cop is going to get a picture of him or anything.

So what if a lot of kids do it? That doesn't make it acceptable.

 

[John Doe]

I'm being very clear about what I'm saying.

A minor is not legally responsible for all their decisions. You may want them to be, but the law is clear on this.

Are you saying the judgment was unlawful?

 

[KRCummings]

So what if a lot of kids do it? That doesn't make it acceptable.

But he's 17 so he's not legally responsible. Or some stupid shit like that.