Editor’s note: This article was first published in December 2010, as an opinion piece reacting to a measure then being discussed in Spain. It does not say whether the measure was approved, and its later fate is not covered.
For our safety and well-being, the government is looking out for us once again with another absurd measure, one whose stupidity and pointlessness are simply inexcusable. Now, if you drive too fast or commit a serious offence behind the wheel and you’re well off, the state can expropriate your car.
By expropriation we mean that they keep the car for whatever use they see fit, whether that’s selling it or using it as part of a town council’s fleet.
It’s shameful that some people support this measure, because they don’t really understand what they’re endorsing. Who decides whether an offence is serious or minor? And above all, who decides whether the vehicle owner’s purchasing power is high or low?
Well, according to what they’ve said, the equation is simple. If an owner drives at 200 km/h on the motorway and the vehicle is a high-end model (Mercedes, BMW…), it is understood that the offence is serious and that the owner has high purchasing power, so the car can be expropriated.
Make no mistake: this is just one more revenue-raising measure. A way of taking from the rich to give to… the state. If citizens accept this measure, they’ll soon start expropriating ever cheaper vehicles, and before you know it, they’ll even take your wallet.
This measure would be merely regrettable if it weren’t so utterly pathetic and shameful. In fact, I still can’t believe it’s even being seriously considered. For heaven’s sake, where is this going to end? How far are we going to let the government keep robbing us in such a deplorable way? Because make no mistake, this would be outright robbery.
And mind you, I’m not saying that drivers who commit serious offences behind the wheel shouldn’t be punished. That’s what fines are for, and prison if necessary. But robbing a citizen is something I don’t think should be allowed.
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Featured image: Steve Rainwater, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
