Our Opinion: Continue to offer driver's test in foreign languages

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

We still have reservations about proposed legislation to end Missouri’s process of offering driver’s license tests in foreign languages.

We opposed legislation offered last year that passed the House, but died in the Senate.

Flash forward to Monday, when a similar proposal again was approved by the House, this year on a 91-59 vote.

The measure would eliminate the state’s practice of offering the written driver’s test in 11 languages and computerized versions in seven of them.

A fiscal note estimates the cost savings at $52,000.

We refuse to characterize the cost savings as insignificant. All are significant and accumulate.

The important question is whether the savings justify the action.

Bill sponsor Rep. Mark Parkinson, R-St. Charles, said the measure is designed for people to “come together and assimilate into our culture.”

Withholding the driving privilege, however, is an impediment rather than an invitation.

Spend time in and around our community — and countless others across Missouri — and you will hear a variety of languages spoken in workplaces, restaurants, shops, churches and elsewhere.

These men and women participate more readily in our community dynamic and contribute to our economy because they can drive.

Learning a language is a process.

Do we relegate foreign-speaking people to unemployment and isolation until they have completed the process of learning English?

Do we — as some lawmakers pointed out — increase the risk of unlicensed and uninsured drivers sharing our roadways?

Diversity is a great strength of our nation.

Let’s not obstruct the path to participation and assimilation.

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spelchek 1 year, 3 months ago

I agree with the paper. Keeping legal immigrants from materials that could prevent STOP from looking like OPTS is a dangerous proposition.

JCsleeper 1 year, 3 months ago

Legislators need to find better things to do. Probably need less time in session and less pay.

locomotivebreath1901 1 year, 3 months ago

Krykee doodle. "Diversity is a great strength of our nation" is the biggest bunch of horse shiite invented. There's a reason why "E Pluribus Unum" is inscribed on all our coinage and is also an official national motto. There's also a reason why 'English only' exams are good idea: ALL THE ROAD SIGNAGE IS IN ENGLISH. Think about the plague on our roads that everyone and their dog says needs to be eradicated: DISTRACTED DRIVING. Perhaps you've heard of it. Op-Ed pieces and legislation can't be written fast enough in an attempt to stomp it out and imprison the scoundrels responsible for its abuse. The public roads are no place for learning the language when trying to operate 2 tons of steel at 60 MPH!

lovemykids 1 year, 3 months ago

Look it is really simple to me. If you can't understand English to READ the street signs (like one way, or bridge out, or do not enter) then how exactly do you claim to be a safe driver?! If you can't read the sign that says school zone, then please stay away from my kid's school! It scares me to think that we are giving license tests in ANY language other than the language that the signs use. It angers me to know that we are shelling out $52,000.00 anually to make our roads less safe! Everyone should have to prove that they have the ability to read the signs (and not just their shapes). I care a LOT MORE about people being able to read the signs than I do about their ability to parallel park! If you do not read English well enough to take the test, then how am I supposed to talk to you if we ever get into a car accident?? How exactly does the exchange of insurance information happen if they do not understand what I am saying? This seems like a dangerous idea that never should have made it all the way into policy. This waste should stop immediately!

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

You don't have to read most signs. Some don't even have words. They are pictures. You don't have to read English to be a good driver... you don't even have to be literate in any language. You just need to learn the rules of the road.

How many accidents do you read about that involve people who can't read? Most accidents are teenagers and old people.

I drove all over Europe just fine, and I couldn't read a word. All this "English only" stuff just sounds like cultural insecurity to me. Poor white people... you're about to be a minority, and all you can do is cry and whine about it. Maybe the new majority will make driver's tests in "Spanish only." That would crack me up.

JCLifer 1 year, 2 months ago

Better than Eubonics-only... :-)

JCLifer 1 year, 2 months ago

Google is your friend. Surely one of the 55,700 results there will be able to help you.

lovemykids 1 year, 2 months ago

Well if they do I can still at least say "No comprende Espanol, Englesh por favor". Rough translation, I don't speak Spanish, speak English please. Or Auida May.... Help me. I'm not a complete insesitive jerk. I have tried to learn a little (un poco). I know that stars are Astreas... I know that gato is cat. Roho is red. A que hora es... what time is it. Donde esta el banyo? Where is the bathroom. Donde esta el zepetaria? Where is the shoe store. Dos cervesas por favor. 2 beers please.

Also I call bs. My uncle IS illiterate and he has no business driving because of his inability to read. His wife does all the driving because he has no license. He can't pass the test because she can't read it to him.

lovemykids 1 year, 2 months ago

Plus there is still this little thing called a $52,000.00 price tag anually. That is a good thing to cut out to make room for something that will be used by MOST of the people in this state instead of just a few. Like the lady at the DMV. This could pay for an entire year of giving her an assistant, so we don't wait in line 45 minutes. :) Just an idea. Or it could be thrown in with the road improvement budget. I'm sure THAT could use an extra 52k. The point is that if you must take from the majority then you better make sure that you are helping a majority with the things you offer.

asb 1 year, 2 months ago

NT is right on the money. The bill is, as could be expected from the sponser, a showboat of divisive cultural flag-waving nonesense. The test is offered in many languages to ensure that peoples' ability to drive is properly tested, not their adherence to some cracker's idea of what Amuricu should be. The sinage issue is moot, it's all in English and readable by a three year old. What the signs mean and how to drive are taught and tested in as many languages as Missouri can reasonably afford, in order to provide for the full mobility of all it's drivers, which maximizes diversity and assimilation at the same time. Diversity is our strength, which is good because it is our lot; whether y'all like it or not. English is the dominant languange of the planet, and more so every day. Take joy in that rather than fearful concern that you might have to expand your own language skills. Goodonya Lovemykids for learning a bit of Spanish. There are still whole areas of Missouri Where German is well known and quite a few places where it dominates. Balkanization, FYI, would be where people refuse to co-exist and camp out in their own little areas, refusing to deal with their foreign neighbors, such as we'd have if each state were, um, soverign like Graceful wants. E Pluribus Unum means many as one, not all the same.

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

Some of you are truly clueless. Road Sigms are a universal shape and color, Their meaning is found in the shape and color more show than in the word s written on them. Also the phrases on a road sign can be easily learned waaaay before a person get's on the road to drive. Based on that and my personal experience, there is no COMMON SENSE reason why (An American Driver's Test) the Missouri Written Driver's Test cannot be given in a foreign language! I know......I've been to several foreign lands and every American/foreinger that has taken the written portion of that nations drivers test...did so in their own language...in short Americans were not forced to take written test in Korean, German, French, Greek, Turkish, Iranian, Iraqi, Saudi, Japaneese, etc, etc. Americans took the test in English. So what's the big deal with foreigner's being extended that courtesy here in America?

Stop fooling yourself and stop letting this "the illegal aliens are taking over the world nut cases" fool you. The only thing requirements like this do is continue making America look foolish an unable to adapt to things common to most of the other nations...it's kinda like the Metric System...everybody else but America got it. Why is that? American's are always so quick to point out the wrongs of other nations...yet nobody is calling the computer guy a Villian for his slave operations he had running at Apple. I could go on and on, but I think some of you are getting the picutre already.

It's easy, give the test in every language that is part of NATO and or are Allies to the United States.

John 1 year, 2 months ago

I also have lived and driven in many countries but never had to take a test specific to a country, typically only permanent residents to a country are required to do that. Instead, as an American living overseas, I used an International Driver License is required unless you are in the military.

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

Graceful have you ever been outisde the bouders of JC or Missouri? Have you ever been to the Balklands? Have you ever held a conversation with person who wasn't associated with this state? I think not, because your statement "Forgive us for not wanting the US to become the Balkans" leads me to believe the answer to those questions is "NO". Which would account for your intolerenace to things and people who are different than you.

Why should Americans living abroad be afforded something that their coutnry folk fail to provide foreigners who are living here legally? If Americans have the opportunity to take a foreign nations written dirver's test in English, which they do. Then should we Americans not afford foreigner's the same opportunity? If you say "NO" , can you please tell me why? Remember now...I'm not from Missouri and I've traveled abroad exstensivley and hold a Driver's License from several foreign nations. So you can't be spouting no DFSS!

John 1 year, 2 months ago

Where is a Balkland?

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

Graceful did/do you believe the themes to "Birth Of A Nation" or "Gone With The Wind?

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

Graceful and anyone else for that matter, are you willing to answer the qustions I posed? If so, here goes. Why are Americans living in foreign nations afforded an opportunity to take a foreign nations written drivers' test in English and we Americans cannot afford foreigner's who are legally in our country a simlar opportunity to take a written drivers' test in their native tounge? Hiow is allowing the foreign written test Balklinizing America?

The next question is for Graceful...have ya ever been outside the boarders of this city, county, state, nation? Also... did/do you believe in the themes of "Birth Of A Nation" and or "Gone With The Wind?

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