New rules on renewing and obtaining a driver's license from the state of Indiana went into effect this past week, and these regulations were in need of a change. A license is a very important thing to hold -- it allows access to very deadly machinery and is also a very trusted form of identification. If any person were to obtain false identification, they could then get a Social Security card under the falsified name. This license is too dangerous a weapon not to require some extended proof of identity. Critics to this new plan think the extra identification and strict requirements just create a hassle for all involved. The new rules require customers to show his or her Social Security card, at least three other proofs of identity and two proofs of residency to get a license, and to renew that license the individual must show his or her Social Security card, plus two other forms of identification. The new regulations create a longer wait for customers at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Some new residents to the area have not received mail with their name on it, but are still required to show two proofs of residency to obtain their license. This creates hassles, but it is still better than giving a terrorist an easy way to obtain dangerous materials. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the airline industry has been severely scrutinized and necessary changes have been made to prevent terrorist activity from happening again. This might prevent terrorists from using airplanes as weapons, but it doesn't stop all terrorism in general. A car loaded with explosives can be just as deadly. Anything can be used as a weapon, and requiring more documentation for a driver's license will hinder any terrorist efforts considerably. Also, if a person tries to use false forms of identification under these new regulations, it just makes that person easier to track for police officials. It would be almost impossible to forge all the necessary requirements to get a license, so if a person would ever try to do this, it would alert officials that something might be in the works and necessary precautions would be made. These stricter documentation requirements were adopted to protect the integrity of the identification system in Indiana. No matter what hassles or problems they cause, the new regulations were a needed change to protect American citizens.
yes - no - abstain
